Archive for November, 2008

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C is for Capitalism part 2

November 23, 2008

A repost of a great answer:

“How about simply renouncing our ideological insistence upon neo-con economic absolutes, especially the idea that the ultimate economic structure is the mega-monopoly. Stop the government subsidy of these “to-big-to-fail” monstrosities that kill cultures, the environment, export jobs and drive down wages. Do that and small, localized business’s natural advantages such as knowing the locals and reduced transport and advertising will put the dinosaurs out of business. Support the public sector where it makes sense, such as in health care and education. Support an expanded non-profit sector including the arts. Support NEW structures such as cooperatively owned institutions that are nearly impossible under current law simply because they are not ideologically pure, not because they’re impractical. And finally, where necessary, we can allow corporations, such as with an auto industry. But they should be regulated. And finally: educate! Show people that the external stuff they buy does not make their lives “meaningful.”
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Ironically, what I just described, while we’d call it a “Mixed economy” today, would just about match what Adam Smith would have called “capitalism.” Go figure.”

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C is for capitalism

November 13, 2008

Capitalism does some great things.  It motivates some people – those competitive types to get out there and do innovated things.  It for a time created a better standard of living for most people.    It speed up progress and now we have wonderful modern technology and medicine.   BUT capitalism does some pretty screwed up things too.  It puts money before people.   It’s really bad for the environment.   It’s eventually going to end up being one big monopoly.    Because let’s face it.   Most people don’t have money to buy up big corporations.  So companies just keep on getting bigger.   they are bigger than most countries now.  Which is scary.     What are we going to do about this capitalist system… right now it’s in crisis.  because people got too greedy and the price of real estate went up too fast. and the environment is suffering.    But the truth of the matter is we have enough technology around to still give everyone a good life…. I thought technology was suppose to make people’s life easier… all it seems to do is – make life harder.  your boss can phone you on your cell.   You’re excepted to work faster.  and then be replaced by a machine.   

I think the hardest part is to simply imagine the world a different way.   we’re so involved in consuming goods and being consumers… can we dream of a new way of life?  do we still have the imagination…?  

 

here’s a cool site: on the topic of our system of stuff: http://www.storyofstuff.com  it talks about the problem…. but I ask the question – what is the solution?

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C is for Change

November 11, 2008

After far too many years, the Consumer Monster site is back in action.   I think it was the election of Obama that inspired the change to continue on with this site.   There are plans in the works for lots more videos and characters to add to the Consumer Monster’s world.   Here will be a place for thoughts on Consumerism, the economic crisis, and ideas for how to change the world.    How do we protect everyone while changing the system to something sustainable.

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