tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post1268829444034292387..comments2023-12-02T02:26:05.528-08:00Comments on JimPintoBlog: Corruption of CapitalismAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-78156489726496604722015-05-26T17:58:58.024-07:002015-05-26T17:58:58.024-07:00In my view, Anonymous suggests that tactics that o...In my view, Anonymous suggests that tactics that oppose and support the system help to develop solutions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-50957568178872920282015-05-26T17:06:32.881-07:002015-05-26T17:06:32.881-07:00What would a pro-system corrective look like in th...What would a pro-system corrective look like in this case?Bryan Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937099144329508708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-3831533311429255622015-05-26T08:07:31.082-07:002015-05-26T08:07:31.082-07:00Let me add a comment on capitalism corruption and ...Let me add a comment on capitalism corruption and especially <br />that “blame the 1%”:<br /><br />I feel that anti-system politics & tactics allow the system to defend and preserve itself, while pro-system corrective – curative strategies develop and improve it.<br /><br />Movement and evolution give degrees of freedom and put forward solutions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-2558616885150445672014-11-22T03:19:29.301-08:002014-11-22T03:19:29.301-08:00Thank you for sharing this YouTube link. Nick nee...Thank you for sharing this YouTube link. Nick needs to make this presentation on Capitol Hill and Wall Street. This will only work if the plutocrats actually take this message to heart and do something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-80814101906869222552014-11-18T21:39:05.175-08:002014-11-18T21:39:05.175-08:00Thanks, Stan. 'nuf said: JimThanks, Stan. 'nuf said: JimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-80954845693827573742014-11-18T21:38:03.664-08:002014-11-18T21:38:03.664-08:00Jim:
No solution will work without a change in th...Jim:<br /><br />No solution will work without a change in thinking by the media which influences this country. The media learned their socialistic and nihilistic ideas in the colleges. Most professors are socialists or post-modernists.<br /><br />Yes, we need a philosophical change. Nothing else will work. It has happened before. We didn't arrive where we are by chance. It started with Plato and Kant and Hegel and Marx and Dewey...<br /><br />Some day it may start with Ayn Rand and the growing number of students and professors that believe her philosophy.<br /><br />Possibly this is too long-term or not practical enough. For some practical stuff, have congress start repealing all the regulations they passed in the last few years - and not pass additional laws.<br /><br />I guess I have said all I can on this.Stan Liebermannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-4390275788123545732014-11-17T22:36:22.606-08:002014-11-17T22:36:22.606-08:00Stan :
I appreciate the response and accept your ...Stan :<br /><br />I appreciate the response and accept your apology. Do me a favor - take the time to read each and every response to this blog. And my responses. <br /><br />Clearly, the solutions do NOT include bigger government, more complex regulations, increased controls for everything. I am very much against all those things. <br /><br />I am seeking solutions. Here are just 3:<br /><br />1/ Politicians elected for just one (maybe two) terms. Allowing congress people to serve several terms was instituted, I believe, by President Woodrow Wilson, circa 1912. That was a BIG mistake. But how can that be reversed? Congress people will never vote themselves out of office.<br /><br />2/ Today, there are some 25-50 lobbyists for every person in congress. Eliminating (or at least reducing) the number of lobbyists. How can that be accomplished?<br /><br />3/ Throwing more corrupt leaders in prison. Today, the BIG banks and financial institutions simply pay multi-billion$ fines, without ANY admission of guilt. And no one goes to jail! And the fines are simply buried as "accruals" in their balance-sheet. No single individual is penalized. <br /><br />Can you come up with any more practical solutions? That's what you and I should be thinking about, rather than dwelling on esoteric and idealistic principles.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15881385744870970132014-11-17T17:48:27.483-08:002014-11-17T17:48:27.483-08:00Jim:
I thought I already came up with some practi...Jim:<br /><br />I thought I already came up with some practical solutions.<br /><br />No solution will work without a change in thinking by the media which influence this country. And the media learned their socialistic and nihilistic ideas in the colleges. Most professors are socialists or post modernists.<br /><br />Yes, we need a philosophical change. Nothing else will work. It has happened before. We didn't arrive where we are by chance. It started with Plato and Kant and Hegel and Marx and Dewey...<br /><br />Some day it may start with Ayn Rand and the growing number of students and professors that believe her philosophy.Stan Liebermanhttp://www.stanswebdesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-49315326982084153342014-11-17T17:12:12.801-08:002014-11-17T17:12:12.801-08:00Jim:
You are correct. I misunderstood the object...Jim:<br /><br />You are correct. I misunderstood the objective of the article for which I apologize. When I read your article, it sounded similar to the material I read too much of concerning the problems in our country - that you summarize well - along with the solution which is bigger government controlling more of our lives in every detail.<br /><br />Your final paragraph says the following: "If America really wants to confront its growing class divide, it needs to spark broad-based economic growth, rather than simply feathering the nests of the already rich, privileged and well connected."<br /><br />However, it does not say how to do that. Obama would say we can do that by passing more laws regulating this and controlling that. The goal is a "Brave New World" where all is controlled, and freedom is a meaningless word.<br /><br />I have already briefly stated my solution. This solution is discussed in much more detail in "Free Market Revolution." I highly suggest this book.<br /><br />(Possibly we can trade books?) Stan Liebermanhttp://www.stanswebdesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-82035042555369987302014-11-17T16:43:45.347-08:002014-11-17T16:43:45.347-08:00Stan:
You may have missed my opening statement: &...Stan:<br /><br />You may have missed my opening statement: "Let me state at the outset that I'm a Capitalist, a proponent of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism philosophy". If you did indeed read it, then you think that you understand Objectivism and I don't. That is somewhat narrow-minded and presumptuous.<br /><br />I have read ALL of Ayn Rand's books - Atlas Shrugged at least 3 times. I have John Galt's lengthy speech in my Dropbox (to read when I have a chance, on any of my computers). And I am very familiar with the websites you mention. Indeed, I included one (Ayn Rand Institute – Campus) in my Reference links at the end of the blog.<br /><br />You are mistaken in your presumption that I support the US government and all of its bloated bureaucracy. <br /><br />What is am drawing attention to is the corruption of Capitalism through lying, cheating, stealing, bribery on the part of government, politicians, lobbyists, and business people who think they are immune to the laws that regulate such activities. Indeed, if things were not as corrupt are they ARE, the wealthy would NOT be able to influence politicians to pass laws that favor their own interests. <br /><br />I am a great admirer of Ayn Rand's Objectivism. But sadly, it does not take into account warped ideas of "selfishness" that prevail widely among the wealthy and wanna-be-wealthy in our so-called Capitalistic country. It is NOT selfishness I resent, but the corrupt ideas that are destroying our country.<br /><br />This does not take "more detail" and the reading of several "books and websites" to understand. What masquerades as Capitalism in my beloved, adopted country, America has become corrupt to to the core. <br /><br />There is just one book I recommend for you, referenced in the blog: The Selfish Capitalist: http://goo.gl/wuHw7p I challenge you to read it!<br /><br />With friendship:<br />JimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-5634247170748484312014-11-17T14:59:10.566-08:002014-11-17T14:59:10.566-08:00Jim:
I do not understand your article. You say y...Jim:<br /><br />I do not understand your article. You say you are a Capitalist, a proponent of Ayn Rand's philosophy. Yet, you have in your article all the major misinterpretations of Objectivism. Have you read the actual literature on Objectivism? I suggest starting with the following:<br /><br />Atlas Shrugged<br />Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal<br />The Virtue of Selfishness<br /><br />All of these are by Ayn Rand. Two other excellent books by other writers are:<br /><br />Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand (Leonard Peikoff)<br />Free Market Revolution (Yaron Brook and Don Watkins)<br /><br />There are many dozens of books that would clarify the misunderstandings listed in your article. The above list is a good place to start.<br /><br />Plus there are many good websites that explain her philosophy. I will list a few here:<br /><br />http://campus.aynrand.org/<br />http://www.atlassociety.org/<br />https://estore.aynrand.org/<br />https://www.aynrand.org/<br />http://www.aynrandsociety.org/<br /><br />I suggest reading the Overview of Objectivism in the last link. It is an excellent summary of the philosophy.<br /><br />I have mentioned this before in your blog but possibly did not get my point across. Objectivism is based upon a government whose function is to defend individual freedom in two ways. The first is preventing any individual or group from using force or the threat of force against any other individual. Thus we have a police force, courts and other government organizations to implement this freedom.<br /><br />The second function is to protect our country from foreign enemies. Thus we have the armed services, and the other government organizations to implement this freedom.<br /><br />Given these government functions, you can see that the present government has taken on functions that are morally wrong such as laws regulating business functions, tax laws, laws against victimless crimes, etc.<br /><br />If the government kept to its true functions, we would not be in such a mess we are in today. The wealthy would not be able to influence government to pass laws and regulations that they desire, anyone would be able to start a business without having to follow hundreds of regulations (assuming this business did not harm anyone), you would be free to spend your money as you wish, and so on.<br /><br />Yes, I know all this requires much more detail to make sense and to be reasonable and rational, but this blog is not appropriate for all that detail. That is why I listed the books and websites that I did.<br /><br />Thanks for the opportunity to respond to your article.Stan Liebermanhttp://www.stanswebdesign.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-71738841761838703682014-11-17T09:54:39.869-08:002014-11-17T09:54:39.869-08:00Bob :
Have you read or are you reading the many, ...Bob :<br /><br />Have you read or are you reading the many, many comments in this blog? Please review Nick Hanauer's: The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us Plutocrats: http://goo.gl/k01oGd - I'd like very much to hear from you after you read and digest that.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-38738426453436284782014-11-17T09:46:26.301-08:002014-11-17T09:46:26.301-08:00Bob:
We know each other well - through your predi...Bob:<br /><br />We know each other well - through your predictable responses to similar thoughts I have expressed through my JimPinto.com eNews.<br /><br />Yes, Capitalism is not supposed to be selfish - but many Capitalists don't understand this and think it is their "inalienable right" to make more and more money by any means possible. And they resent any attempts to level the playing field - hence corruption, lobbyists, bribery. This is wide spread. Do you ignore that? <br /><br />I had thought that my opening comment in this blog, "Let me state at the outset that I'm a Capitalist, a proponent of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism philosophy" would have satisfied those like you that think my ideas are "socialistic". <br /><br />My friend, please STOP that line of non-productive discussion. Please go beyond that blockage and focus on practical solutions. Please support the American Anti-corruption Act: http://anticorruptionact.org/<br /><br />Yes, I agree - "Many of our current problems are not because of capitalism but because we allow and encourage cheating. " So, who "allows" and "encourages" it? I will NOT engage in a non-productive debate on Obama.<br /><br />So, the "Wolves of Wall Street" got their "comeuppance" in the movie. I cannot stomach watching the whole movie just to witness the "comeuppance". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-87202189583486313272014-11-17T09:30:46.122-08:002014-11-17T09:30:46.122-08:00I/me : Thanks for your supportive comments. I thi...I/me : Thanks for your supportive comments. I think the many people who DO care are indeed trying to come up with solutions. <br /><br />Visit this website to support the American Anti-corruption Act: http://anticorruptionact.org/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-63724676081629150562014-11-17T09:27:14.833-08:002014-11-17T09:27:14.833-08:00But they aren't, really.
In the United States,...But they aren't, really.<br />In the United States, there is next to no political traction for criticizing the 1%. Both political parties are largely purchased.<br />Europe has seen some unrest in the south (Greece, Spain), but it's been controlled.<br /><br />No, we peasants have kept our pitchforks in the fields so far. That's one of the major stories of our era.Bryan Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937099144329508708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-17286755343698069692014-11-17T09:22:52.145-08:002014-11-17T09:22:52.145-08:00Wow! "The pitchforks are coming" is a re...Wow! "The pitchforks are coming" is a recurring theme throughout these blog responses. <br /><br />There are those among the wealthy have recognized that they "came into this world with nothing and will leave the same way." Examples are Bill and Melinda Gates who are involved in major help in many poor countries; Warren Buffet, who donates through Bill Gates' charity activities. And many others. <br /><br />The primary problems are the wealthy-wanna-be hangers-on. They become increasingly boastful, aggressive, cynical and amoral. They think that's the way to get rich.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-71752956179420981582014-11-17T09:16:09.523-08:002014-11-17T09:16:09.523-08:00Yes, "the pitchforks are coming" seems t...Yes, "the pitchforks are coming" seems to be a major response - stimulated by many, and most eloquently by Nick Hanauer's: The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us Plutocrats: http://goo.gl/k01oGd<br /><br />You hit the nail right on the head: the problem stems from the elite - who cannot or will not "sink their own ship".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-45660445017175045102014-11-17T09:11:35.615-08:002014-11-17T09:11:35.615-08:00Thank you, Jake Brodsky for your insightful commen...Thank you, Jake Brodsky for your insightful comments!<br /><br />I wholeheartedly agree with your 2 key causes: Growing government and increased legal complexity; corruption at the highest levels.<br /><br />In most third-word countries, corruption is everywhere. In America, it is widespread ONLY at the very top - politicians and lobbyists. Try bribing a policeman and he'll take you to jail. Politicians are easy targets -bribed by lobbyists and the rich everyday!<br /><br />Yes, gross inequality will inevitably collapse. The uber-wealthy Nick Hanauer recognizes this. Read "The pitchforks are coming", (links in responses above); or view the TED video. <br /><br />This toppling of plutocracy (revenge of the masses) has happened often throughout history, dating back to the Roman Empire, the French revolution and many more. <br /><br />Instead of just being critical, I am trying to focus on solutions. But, the available solutions seem far-fetched and unlikely. Example: Re-election campaigns are a serious part of the problem; one cannot imagine Congress passing laws that limits themselves to just one or two terms.<br /><br />Whatodo??<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-39760573857006600362014-11-17T08:54:59.738-08:002014-11-17T08:54:59.738-08:00Something WILL Happen, sooner or later.
Watch thi...Something WILL Happen, sooner or later.<br /><br />Watch this TED speech:<br />Beware.fellow plutocrats, the pitchforks are coming:<br />http://goo.gl/xTJgN4Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15970816597821385912014-11-17T08:54:33.334-08:002014-11-17T08:54:33.334-08:00Good points, Jim.
I've been using the historic...Good points, Jim.<br />I've been using the historical side of futuring, looking into historical precedents of financialization. The end results are never good.Bryan Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937099144329508708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-65784865018296985772014-11-17T08:52:40.300-08:002014-11-17T08:52:40.300-08:00Bryan :
You make 3 key points:
Yes, Finance is a...Bryan :<br /><br />You make 3 key points:<br /><br />Yes, Finance is a major part of the corruption and keeps growing in the power structure. They control regulations through their manipulation of politics; they were bailed out with complete impunity, while the rest of America stagnated; the scandals are now very common. When the government pursues them, they simply pay a big fine - without admitting guilt. And the game continues.<br /><br />Finance does not PRODUCE anything - they just skim off the top. Manufacturing actually produces wealth, and it is left stagnating. Large manufacturing companies are now accumulating cash, but not regenerating the old levels of employment. <br /><br />America's Middle Class is stagnating and declining - the most serious part of the problem. <br /><br />Read Nick Hanauer's: The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us Plutocrats:<br />http://goo.gl/k01oGd<br /><br />Or, watch his TED speech:<br />Beware.fellow plutocrats, the pitchforks are coming:<br />http://goo.gl/xTJgN4Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-29149641914715696672014-11-16T18:06:48.024-08:002014-11-16T18:06:48.024-08:00The entire thesis presented here is simply incorre...The entire thesis presented here is simply incorrect.<br /><br />Capitalism is not selfish. People are selfish. Capitalism is a system that channels their selfishness into socially desirable outcomes (see Adam Smith). Incidentally, all higher forms of mammals (apes, elk, etc.) are also selfish and greedy, desiring more than an equal share.<br /><br />Nor does capitalism cultivate selfish habits. It recognizes they exist. No alternatives have been anywhere near so successful. Consider the old saw, "we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us," an adequate description of socialism. All other forms of social organization discourage innovation. <br /><br />Capitalism does, however, require several things from government. First government must maintain a system where the market (customers) are free to purchase from whomever they want. Thus there must be free competition, not monopolies. Second, there needs to be some minimum safety net. And third, there must be no cheating allowed. Then government needs to stay out of the way. <br /><br />Many of our current problems are not because of capitalism but because we allow and encourage cheating. This post is far too short for a discussion of Glass Steagall repeal, however, or how the Obamunists' regulations have hurt small companies at the expense of large campaign contributors, or have forced manufacturing to go offshore. <br /><br />I'm sorry you could not watch the "Wolf of Wall Street." But it wasn't about capitalism. It was about some guys breaking the law. If you'd watched it to the end, you would have seen them get their comeuppance. Bob Fritzhttp://www.businesstohappiness.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-38985361234590954842014-11-15T07:48:50.756-08:002014-11-15T07:48:50.756-08:00Jim -
I think you raise some very valid and impor...Jim -<br /><br />I think you raise some very valid and important points. You couch them well and the life you have chosen to live gives credibility to your well balanced position on capitalism. <br /><br />Having identified these problems, where lies our solution? Is adequate reformation possible or is a revelation the eventual outcome? How will our American culture adapt? What internal integration is required? What external adaptations must occur simultaneously? Can the present socio-economic system be transformed to one that will be more stable? If so, then how? <br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts, creating dialogue, and inspiring others to think.i/mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07950588681111440347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-23975876658842388052014-11-14T16:14:37.396-08:002014-11-14T16:14:37.396-08:00I have come to the conclusion that nothing will ch...I have come to the conclusion that nothing will change until we peasants do indeed revolt and make some radical changes that the elite most certainly will not like.It seems that the greed of the elite has no limit.Once one has acquired a certain amount of wealth does it really make sense to really keep acquiring more .one can only spent so much in one's lifetime.We all came into this world with nothing and will leave the same way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-45949405641128417262014-11-14T06:29:58.685-08:002014-11-14T06:29:58.685-08:00Jim,
Your post hits a nerve, as usual. As many hav...Jim,<br />Your post hits a nerve, as usual. As many have done before you, not always as concise, you have illustrated past and current manipulative activities that are bound to result in a major explosion - possibly soon.<br /><br />When I read things like this, I question my own past thoughts about how the 'crazies' train in the woods to be ready for the time when the Guv'mint comes to take away our last freedoms. Maybe these folks are not crazy after all - maybe they are this era's freedom fighters.<br /><br />When the middle class is finally absorbed into the poorest masses, the ice berg must topple. Socially engineered inequality breeds revenge. This may become a kind of communist revival, where the masses are better off if the elite's heads are lopped off and the wealth is divided evenly. Then of course, those who contribute more want to be rewarded more ... and so the cycle restarts.<br /><br />The only alternative is that those who are in a position to effect things, recognize this and change the direction. Unfortunately: a/ that is very hard to do, and b/ they are part of the elite and not motivated to sink their own ship.<br /><br />That 'elite' may get a nasty surprise when the pitchforks come out and the peasants cross the moat. Not literally, perhaps, but the modern day version of that is bound to happen. And it probably won't be pretty.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com