Combating Capitolism

[Technosoul]

Question one: Is the love of money the root of all evil? Did Bush pick the wrong axes of evil by not pointing out that capitolism often advocates a anit-Christ environment.

Question two: Is socialism really the only alternative for capitolism Why can't someone go outside the box and come up with a system that is not limited to one of those two choices betweeen capitolism and socialism?

Are you aware of any other 3rd choice ideas (other then a dictatorship or returning to the ideas of having a king rule everything)?

Technosoul.

"love it, leave it, or change it".

[Comrade]

You are opposed to capitalism?
Because it promotes an "anti-Christ" environment?

Look, capitalism works because it is the only system where human greed (everyone wants to improve their situation, right? And that is certainly not a bad thing in any way) actually is a BENEFIT.

There isn't really a different system, because there are only two ways for economies to work. You have people who make deals with each other on an individual basis, and work wherever there is an incentive to work, or you can have some organization (government) tell people where to work. There are, of course, varying degrees, from communism to socialism to mere statism to whatever else.

But really, it IS a left-right scale.
Anyways, I love capitalism, and if anyone ever tries to change it, well, they'll find out what the 2nd amendment is for.

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Capitalism is the best way to get people to work together. People working together are more productive, no?

It isn't really love of money, the paper, but the love of "wealth," being able to have the things you want. And you can have those things by being productive. And it requires very little regulation, except when capitalism starts working TOO well and you get trusts. Capitalism self-destructs if you don't prevent those, but we all know that...

And can you please explain the anti-christ statement, I didn't get where you are coming from.

[Jeff]

Technosoul,
You do point out an interesting dichotomy. In a world where everyone acted under Christian values, many other religions would also apply, socialism would actually work. If everyone worked hard for the benefit of fellow man then we could have a very strong world economy. Socialism fails because of human nature. Very few people will work for the benefit of others when they cannot see the personal benefit.

Capitalism works best because it takes advantage of this self-centered flaw in human nature. Most people need personal incentives. I do not see money as evil. It does have the potential to be used that way. It can easily be used to exert power over others in an unjust way.

I do support capitalism. I think it works best under the circumstances of this world. Personal incentives do work. In reality we have not had a pure form of either system.

[Technosoul]

Explain the anti christ statement... okay, sell everything you own and give all that money to the poor, and join me and I will show you the ropes so that you can comprehend the statement. How about that?

Explain better how the love of money is different then loving to be wealthy? I cannot see how changing the words changes the motivation.

But please note I am not advocating one way or the other, I am just presenting the question in order to collect an assortment of opinions on this topic. Thanks for the in-put.

Technosoul.

[Technosoul]

Originally posted by Jeff, Technosoul, You do point out an interesting dichotomy. In a world where everyone acted under Christian values, many other religions would also apply, socialism would actually work. If everyone worked hard for the benefit of fellow man then we could have a very strong world economy. Socialism fails because of human nature. Very few people will work for the benefit of others when they cannot see the personal benefit. Capitalism works best because it takes advantage of this self-centered flaw in human nature. Most people need personal incentives. I do not see money as evil. It does have the potential to be used that way. It can easily be used to exert power over others in an unjust way. I do support capitalism. I think it works best under the circumstances of this world. Personal incentives do work. In reality we have not had a pure form of either system.

thanks for responding Jeff, your overview is correct on a number of points in my opinion. Not having any real understanding of true soccialism or ture capitolism is like haveing two canidates that are not truely representing real solutions - we end up just voting for the less of two evils - so to speak.
Which ever we pick will be a disfuctionable version of what "should be".

Technosoul.