Three Takes on Capitalism

Three Takes on Capitalism:

capitalism: economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.~wikipedia

There once was a man from the University of Chicago, that taught for three decades a system of which he was idolized, called free market capitalism.  Along with being economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan, Mr. Friedman also won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.  Friedman opposed government regulations of many types, and has influenced many conservatives and libertarians to follow his suggestions.  Echoing his teachings, has led to the privatization of prisons, schools and otherwise previous government owned bodies.  The primary role of free market capitalism, is to minimize government involvement, and to place this market into the hands of private investors, in order to have a more competitive market.  Critics claim, this system will concentrate the wealth of the nation, into just a few hands, and is unsustainable.  Hmmmmm………..???

A bright Canadian gal named Naomi Klein, wrote a book in 2007 about Milton Freidman's economic model of free market capitalism called "The Shock Doctrine".  Ms. Klein, examined the so called "examples of positive outcomes" of free market capitalism.  Through her research, she found that the actual term for the transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class, and the privatization of government services, can best be called Disaster Capitalism.  During this practice, the government takes advantage of a major disaster (earthquake, hurricane, terrorist attack etc), to adopt new economic policies (free market capitalism), which would otherwise not be accepted by the people. Disaster capitalism leads the way to privatization of everything from infrastructure, land ownership, prisons, water rights, etc. 

***Oh boy, I think this gal is onto something!!***

"Constructive Capitalism is where you share the profit with the workers and the earth from which you made it!"~Dr. Emanuel Bronner .

Based out of California, Dr. Bronner was a famous soap maker from 1908-1997.  Known for their eco-friendly products, and their loyal following of people who stood by their urgent message of uniting all ethnic and religious differences.  Their products are all organically made, with Fair Trade ingredients from countries around the globe, to ensure they are paid a fair compensation for their products.  This company takes great care of their employees with generous salaries (with executive pay capped at five times the lowest paid position), no deductible health insurance, $10,000 profit sharing for each employee once a year and this company matches their total after tax income on charitable causes.

As we can all see from the examples, some forms of capitalism work for the better of mankind, and some do not.  It would be great to envision a world, where every company cares about the planet, and every person who lives upon the planet.  People are not disposable, collateral damage, to be sacrificed for a larger profit.  We all matter….so get up, stand up, but please do something!