We do NOT live in a capitalist society

[Prometheus]

per se

We live in a consumerist society where capitalism plays a part... but not the part we need it to, which is to engender competition.

Competition is at the heart of a free market. When all - or the top players - of a marketplace are essentially in cahoots to drive prices up while artificially creating need/desire, then competition has ceased to exist.

Sure. Some startup might come along and upset the balance and shift the paradigm for a minute or two, but these occasions are rare as they are usually crushed (or bought out) by the dominant forces in the market and usually in collusion with the government.

For real competition to exist, corporations need to go away and let sole proprietorships and limited partnerships thrive.

And when I say, "corporations," I mean any and all entities that are owned by a collective of stockholders or other forms of membership: looking at you unions and "churches."

When business owners, employees, and customers are allowed to engage in commerce unhindered by lobbyist interference - but still regulated for the safety of all - then we will see prices drop and social conditions improve in almost all areas.

At least that's what I believe.

[permutojoe]

The problem is economies of scale. Teddy Roosevelt dressed down the big corporations that were threatening the smaller businesses 100+ years ago that didn't have the funds to wage war on the competition in that manner. It's plain to see for anyone that's looking that capitalism is just another form of oligarchy, but there's a lot of money spent on distraction and misdirection.

[Prometheus]

Nov 3, 2022 3:18:50 GMT permutojoe said:

The problem is economies of scale. Teddy Roosevelt dressed down the big corporations that were threatening the smaller businesses 100+ years ago that didn't have the funds to wage war on the competition in that manner. It's plain to see for anyone that's looking that capitalism is just another form of oligarchy, but there's a lot of money spent on distraction and misdirection.

So... ban corporations... which are antithetical to free market capitalism in the first place.

see?

[abbey1227]

Nov 3, 2022 3:18:50 GMT permutojoe said:

The problem is economies of scale. Teddy Roosevelt dressed down the big corporations that were threatening the smaller businesses 100+ years ago that didn't have the funds to wage war on the competition in that manner. It's plain to see for anyone that's looking that capitalism is just another form of oligarchy, but there's a lot of money spent on distraction and misdirection.

I kinda like the olde idea of Govt stopping monopolies from abusing others......... like Teddy accomplished.

But then I also remember when Standard Oil was busted up, it immediately made Rockefeller the wealthiest person.

I remember Ma Bell getting busted up, too.........and the consumers suffering ever since.

Seems like they're smart enough to buy the politicians ahead of time these days and the Govt is willing to go along

[permutojoe]

Nov 3, 2022 12:45:14 GMT abbey1227 said:

Nov 3, 2022 3:18:50 GMT permutojoe said:

The problem is economies of scale. Teddy Roosevelt dressed down the big corporations that were threatening the smaller businesses 100+ years ago that didn't have the funds to wage war on the competition in that manner. It's plain to see for anyone that's looking that capitalism is just another form of oligarchy, but there's a lot of money spent on distraction and misdirection. [img src="//storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/FSYefibmKqtatIXMgHZg.gif" alt="" class="smile"]

I kinda like the olde idea of Govt stopping monopolies from abusing others......... like Teddy accomplished.

But then I also remember when Standard Oil was busted up, it immediately made Rockefeller the wealthiest person.

I remember Ma Bell getting busted up, too.........and the consumers suffering ever since.

Seems like they're smart enough to buy the politicians ahead of time these days and the Govt is willing to go along

I’d have to look up the Rockefeller situation to comment. The consumer has always suffered in this economy. That’s kind of what the whole thing is based on. So you don’t get any points for that.

[Prometheus]

Nov 3, 2022 12:45:14 GMT abbey1227 said:

Nov 3, 2022 3:18:50 GMT permutojoe said:

The problem is economies of scale. Teddy Roosevelt dressed down the big corporations that were threatening the smaller businesses 100+ years ago that didn't have the funds to wage war on the competition in that manner. It's plain to see for anyone that's looking that capitalism is just another form of oligarchy, but there's a lot of money spent on distraction and misdirection.

I kinda like the olde idea of Govt stopping monopolies from abusing others......... like Teddy accomplished.

But then I also remember when Standard Oil was busted up, it immediately made Rockefeller the wealthiest person.

I remember Ma Bell getting busted up, too.........and the consumers suffering ever since.

Seems like they're smart enough to buy the politicians ahead of time these days and the Govt is willing to go along

Suffering with choices?

OMFG!!!!!

Don't worry. Ma Bell is still around. She's called AT&T now....