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Do you think capitalism in America will last ?

Do you think capitalism in America will last ?


  • Total voters
    28
Under your definition of coroporatism, there seems to be little difference between a corporatist and a socialist other than the fact that the corporatists are being more honest about what they are doing and that the corporatists make use of existing buisiness structures when they come into power while the socialists might want erase everything and start over.

Our government it influence by lobbyist groups, many of whom (but not all) come from corporations. Unfortunately, we have a system of subsidies and bail-outs that are bad for American consumers. Although our system is being undermined, it is still capitalist.

If you take a look at our cultural diversity, you can see we're not very authoritarian, although I would take the libertarian position and say that the government should stay out of our lives even more.

About your complaint on the perpetuity of corporations - they aren't perpetual. The corporations that existed 100 years ago are different than the one which exist today. Now I am against all of these corporate bail-outs, subsidies, etc. - so perhaps if I made policy corporations would have a much shorter lifespan, but that doesn't mean that they are immortal today.
 
The government recognizes that it is the businesses in this country which furnish the jobs. It squeezes businesses hard, but not too hard. The goal is to get all they can out of them without completely killing them.

Sometimes they go a bit too far.
 
Capitalism is very much a part of our culture. It, more than anything is what we like to spread around the world. We are all about to witness, for example, the power of the free market to fight poverty in central america due to CAFTA (Which is to say that everyone in central america is going to work in horrific sweatshop conditions for US corporations and the jobs, wealth, and political power of the American middle class is going to be completely destroyed.)
But our capitalism at home is countered to a minimal degree by an element of socialism. And I'm not talking just about basic welfare. If you want pure capitalism say goodbye to public schools, public parks and transportation as well. And worker's and civil rights which were achieved by socialist movements against capitalist interests.
 
faminedynasty said:
Capitalism is very much a part of our culture. It, more than anything is what we like to spread around the world.
How many countries can you name in which the introduction of capitalism did not raise the standard of living substantially for the residents?
We are all about to witness, for example, the power of the free market to fight poverty in central america due to CAFTA (Which is to say that everyone in central america is going to work in horrific sweatshop conditions for US corporations and the jobs, wealth, and political power of the American middle class is going to be completely destroyed.)
When the people have nothing but starvation and grinding poverty, the jobs provided enable those who wish to take them to improve their conditions dramatically. On the other hand, they are not forced to take the jobs, they do so gladly.
But our capitalism at home is countered to a minimal degree by an element of socialism. And I'm not talking just about basic welfare. If you want pure capitalism say goodbye to public schools, public parks and transportation as well. And worker's and civil rights which were achieved by socialist movements against capitalist interests.
Hogwash!

Without the taxes generated at all levels by capitalism, the US would be just one more second rate third world nation.
 
Fantasea said:
How many countries can you name in which the introduction of capitalism did not raise the standard of living substantially for the residents? When the people have nothing but starvation and grinding poverty, the jobs provided enable those who wish to take them to improve their conditions dramatically. On the other hand, they are not forced to take the jobs, they do so gladly.Hogwash!

Without the taxes generated at all levels by capitalism, the US would be just one more second rate third world nation.
Normally your posts make sense. I agree with you much more often than not. But c'mon. You don't really believe that taxes are what made the US great, do you? If anything, it's been less taxation that enabled free enterprise in this country...
 
Connecticutter said:
Under your definition of coroporatism, there seems to be little difference between a corporatist and a socialist other than the fact that the corporatists are being more honest about what they are doing and that the corporatists make use of existing buisiness structures when they come into power while the socialists might want erase everything and start over.

Our government it influence by lobbyist groups, many of whom (but not all) come from corporations. Unfortunately, we have a system of subsidies and bail-outs that are bad for American consumers. Although our system is being undermined, it is still capitalist.

If you take a look at our cultural diversity, you can see we're not very authoritarian, although I would take the libertarian position and say that the government should stay out of our lives even more.

About your complaint on the perpetuity of corporations - they aren't perpetual. The corporations that existed 100 years ago are different than the one which exist today. Now I am against all of these corporate bail-outs, subsidies, etc. - so perhaps if I made policy corporations would have a much shorter lifespan, but that doesn't mean that they are immortal today.
We agree. That's why I said we're turning into some kind of wierd capitalist socialized democratic corporation. It's like individual liberties are taking a back seat to making a buck. But whatever...

I didn't know corporations were no longer perpetual. Hmmm, are you sure about that?
 
Imudman said:
Originally Posted by Fantasea
How many countries can you name in which the introduction of capitalism did not raise the standard of living substantially for the residents? When the people have nothing but starvation and grinding poverty, the jobs provided enable those who wish to take them to improve their conditions dramatically. On the other hand, they are not forced to take the jobs, they do so gladly.Hogwash!

Without the taxes generated at all levels by capitalism, the US would be just one more second rate third world nation.
Normally your posts make sense. I agree with you much more often than not. But c'mon. You don't really believe that taxes are what made the US great, do you? If anything, it's been less taxation that enabled free enterprise in this country...
Think about it for a moment.

If it wasn't for businesses which pay business taxes and the workers they employ who also pay taxes, where would the money come from that greases the governmental axles on which its wheels turn?

How many sources of REAL money do the various layers of government, federal, state, municipal, have?

Only one.
 
Fantasea said:
Think about it for a moment.

If it wasn't for businesses which pay business taxes and the workers they employ who also pay taxes, where would the money come from that greases the governmental axles on which its wheels turn?

How many sources of REAL money do the various layers of government, federal, state, municipal, have?

Only one.
That's why I don't understand what your point is. There is only one source of tax revenue, individuals. If a business pays taxes, it only passes the cost on to consumers. In reality, only natural people pay taxes, which in turn means lower wages, less competetion, and more government intervention...
 
Imudman said:
That's why I don't understand what your point is. There is only one source of tax revenue, individuals. If a business pays taxes, it only passes the cost on to consumers. In reality, only natural people pay taxes, which in turn means lower wages, less competetion, and more government intervention...
You understand that. I understand that.

However, we both know that the typical worker and voter does not know that. Else why are they always yelling for the government to squeeze more taxes out of businesses?

The politicians, always happy to oblige, do so and get it from both ends.

The best thing that the government could do for the economy is to eliminate all business taxes and adjust the personal taxes as necessary. Business expansion would take off like a shot, the economy would rise like a rocket, and the tax revenues would be out of sight.

However, it would never fly because the average American is too dense for the concept to sink in. He just wants to see those evil corporations screwed over because he thinks it benefits him.

Example: Hong Kong. The best economy on earth. Why? It does anything and everything it can to make it easier for businesses to create jobs.
 
I think capitalism will evolve eventually, especially when the time comes where technology dominates all modes of real production. Capitalism certainly cannot solve all problems, but it has done a lot for progress in our world. But it can't last forever, and hopefully as our soceity changes, there woudl be a new system that does a better job.
 
stsburns said:
You run your own business like me then we will talk! :mrgreen: And if you hate capitalism, I'm sure other countries would love to have your citizenship! If you hate coporations, DONT BUY ANYTHING!

I run my own business. That makes two evil worker exploiting greedy capitolists on this site.
 
teacher said:
teacher: "Get back to work teacher".
teacher: "But teacher, I want to pick on Mr. Brooks".
teacher: "Mr. Brooks don't pay the bills, now get back to work teacher".
teacher: (Mumbling) "Slavedriving teacher".
teacher: "I gotta cut that teacher some slack, but he's such a good worker. Oh Mr. Brooo-ooooks".



Time for a top ten
 
teacher said:
How can you say that to someone you don't know? But it's a peek into the quality of your character for the rest of us.
Easy. I qualified my statement with the word probably. Secondly, I work in a field that requires great physical strength and stamina, instead of riding a desk all day. Finally, I've met a LOT of people in my life, and I work harder than about 99% of them. It was a rather safe assumption on my part.

Besides, his statement was lame because he obviously hadn't read my posts on this thread. Sure sign of laziness...
 
imudman, what is your work btw?
 
cnredd said:
Rodeo Clown
That's funny. I'll admit that was pretty good. No, I work in drywall/plastering. Good guess though...:lol:
 
Imudman said:
That's funny. I'll admit that was pretty good. No, I work in drywall/plastering. Good guess though...:lol:

I was wrong....what the hell.:lol:
 
Imudman said:
That's funny. I'll admit that was pretty good. No, I work in drywall/plastering. Good guess though...:lol:

If you were a Lib, you would've called PETA and have me arrested for joking about the exploitation of animals...then they'd throw paint on leather Eagles' jacket....
 
cnredd said:
If you were a Lib, you would've called PETA and have me arrested for joking about the exploitation of animals...then they'd throw paint on leather Eagles' jacket....
When it comes to animal rights, I'm very liberal. But with rights come responsibilities, and if an animal can't pay his own way, then I say he's fair game...: ;)
 
Imudman said:
When it comes to animal rights, I'm very liberal. But with rights come responsibilities, and if an animal can't pay his own way, then I say he's fair game...: ;)

I don't know why they complain...That bull has the best view in the whole place! Who'd he know to get right on the field of play??!?!?
 
teacher said:
I run my own business. That makes two evil worker exploiting greedy capitolists on this site.
I repair computers, does that make me evil? I don't make but a couble hundred dollars off of it, I mean I'm not my own corporation, but I do know to to coop and create a business! Does that make me :twisted: ?
 
Imudman said:
As a matter of fact, I do run my own business, and I probably work harder than you. I never said I hated capitalism (in fact I've said it's the best designed by man), but corporatism is an abomination against the dignity of man. How 'bout them apples...?
I was responding to the Anti-Capitolists, I appologize! So what is your business? What is your business model? What is the purpose of the existence of your business? Very few businesses get to become corporations, but hey if you like fast food, don't say I didn't warn ya!

but corporatism is an abomination against the dignity of man.
How do you figure, your business could become one, one day! So its you against yoursef, there is no way you can loose that battle!? :confused:
 
stsburns said:
I was responding to the Anti-Capitolists, I appologize! So what is your business? What is your business model? What is the purpose of the existence of your business? Very few businesses get to become corporations, but hey if you like fast food, don't say I didn't warn ya!

How do you figure, your business could become one, one day! So its you against yoursef, there is no way you can loose that battle!? :confused:
Oh, I thought you were talking to me. Sorry. We own a small specialty construction contracting business. As far as revealing to you all the details of my business plan, you'll need to talk to my boss,(cough!) I mean my wife. :lol: Serioiusly though, the purpose of any business is to make money, no matter what kind of bs people might want you to believe.

No, I wasn't talking about corporations - I was talking about corporatism. They're completely different subjects. One is a legally organized entity, and the other is a political philosophy put into action by criminals. And I probably will never incorporate, since for small businesses that model is inefficient and cumbersome. I really like LP's...
 
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