I'm not a Corporatist or a Socialist but I am a Capitalist

[JamesA1102]

However, I believe that for capitalism to run most efficiently and for the best of all is it to be strictly regulated.

I believe there needs to be strong anti-trust laws to insure competition.

I believe monopolies need to be broken up, particularly vertical monopolies that have become prevalent in the media, this will also insure more competition.

I believe unions built the middle class in this country and there should be penalties for companies that don't allow their workers to join unions.

I don't believe that all corporations are evil (well some are) but that by their nature they focus on their bottom line rather than on what's best for their workers and society at large which is why they have to be more strictly regulated.

I don't believe that corporation should have the same rights as people.

I believe those who have the most wealth should pay the most taxes and that we need a more equitable tax code to reflect that.

I believe that as a society we need to have a proper social safety net.

I believe we need a single payer healthcare system. Every country that we compete with economically has some form of universal healthcare and because these countries have taken this cost burden off their companies, they can compete more economically than we can.

I believe we spend an obscene amount on defense, more than the next ten nations combined. Want to pay down deficit, shore up Social Security and give all Americans free healthcare; cut defense spending by 2/3rds. Even with that cut we'll still be spending more than double every other country spends.

[valerief]

1. When you swim with the sharks...

[dionysus]

5. would you rather live in a country where every single thing is government owned and operated?

[valerief]

It already is. The Corporations own the Government. nt

[dionysus]

11. so basically all you have is hyperbole. got it.

[valerief]

13. Beats meaningless labels. nt

[EFerrari]

35. Go look up the biggest donors to your representatives.

It won't be Betty Jo and Stan across the street.

[sudopod]

17. Because the only two options are Libertopia and the Workers' Paradise.

There's no middle ground. Everyone knows Norway is a magical place that only exists in stories.

[Warren Stupidity]

22. That is one extreme form of socialism.

And obviously not the only option.

[sui generis]

2. how dare you

be so fair and rational.

:P

[JamesA1102]

14. I know. I just can't help myself sometimes. NT

[Warpy]

3. I pay for my daily bread via dividends and interest

although I still insist on baking it myself. I suppose that makes me a capitalist.

Corporations are great servants but incredibly poor masters. They need to be kept strictly separate from government. The revolving door between their lobbying companies and government has to be closed and nailed shut by a provision that no one can leave government and join one of those outfits for ten years. Corporate lackeys need to wait 5 years before serving in government in any capacity that affects their prior industry.

That's all I'd add to your list. It was a good one.

[Peacetrain]

4. Very good list..

[dionysus]

6. my sentiments exactly.

[tblue]

7. I don't feel any need to label myself

because I'm not 100% anything and I can't sum up myself in a single word. And, if I did, people would make assumptions that may not be true. But I agree with a lot of your thinking, and I sure wish more "capitalists" shared your values.

[avaistheone1]

18. For the time being I feel the same way.

I think both capitalism and socialism have much to offer.

Right now the problem in this country and in most of the world seems to be that capitalism is totally out of control, and our own country is falling apart as a result.

[endless october]

8. i agree with your points. nt

[StarfarerBill]

9. It's a start.

It'll help make the transition to socialism easier. :)

[blondeatlast]

10. That sounds like a damn good start to a new political party. I'm in if you have the inclination! k/r

[treestar]

12. I agree with that

Good summary.

[still_one]

15. I agree. Companies supply jobs. Yes, there must be regulation and balance. Extremes at

either end spell disaster

[Truth2Tell]

16. If you support a social safety net

then you ARE in fact a socialist. You, like most of us, are both a capitalist and a socialist. After all, they are not at all mutually exclusive. By re-defining "socialism" to an extreme that wouldn't apply to yourself, you help marginalize socialization efforts (like safety nets) that require a positive public view of communal action, ie "socialism". Just my humble opinion.

[JamesA1102]

27. No Socialism is defined as the state owning all means of production.

To say that a social safety net is socialism is just repeating a right wing talking point.

[anonymous171]

28. That's why non-statist socialism is the way to go. nt

[Martin Eden]

19. We need the best of both worlds ...

Capitalism & Socialism

Good list, I agree.

[RaleighNCDUer]

20. IOW, you believe in what Adam Smith says

rather than in what the right says Adam Smith says.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. regulated capitalism is a form of socialism.

you are a democratic socialist, you just are not comfortable with the label.

[EOTE]

24. +1 Well said.

I think it's more important to educate the public as to what socialism truly is rather than run away from the boogieman of socialism that the right has created over the past 80 years.

[anonymous171]

26. No it isn't. Social Democrats are just welfare statists. nt

[JamesA1102]

29. Not uncomfortable with any label.

But socialism is defined as the state owning all means of production. Government regulating private industry is not socialism, saying that it is is just a right wing talking point.

[anonymous171]

23. Democratic State Capitalism FTW! nt

[GeorgeGist]

25. Democracy is socialism.

Capitalism is not.

[Xenotime]

30. I'm sorry you have some of the views you do. Hopefully you will see reason.

[JamesA1102]

31. How so? nt

[applegrove]

32. The USA like most countries in the world is a mixed market economy.

Government does run some aspects of the economy and there is capitalism. If we let the debate be about socialism vs. capitalism then the GOP wins because they have confused the issue. The issue today should be about regulations for large corporations and banks. Come on guys let us not take our eye off the ball.

[JamesA1102]

33. Exactly right! nt

[applegrove]

34. If it becomes a debate about capitalism vs. socialism then that just means

progressives will be fighting liberals. Let's make the fight about what is the contrast between the GOP and Democrats.

[Vidar]

36. I prefer socialism, but I can certainly live with your approach. Thank you.