Capitalism ain't democracy.

Just sayin'.

:shrug:

It is true that capitalism and democracy are not synonymous. They are conflated throughout the history of the United States. I would go as far as to say that capitalism and democracy are not even allied concepts. They are at odds with each other. In a democracy the power is shared equally in that one person's vote counts as much as any others. You may not win in getting your aims and desires realized, but you have equal opportunity based on your message and ability to garner support for your views. Capitalism concentrates wealth and power into the hands of the capitalists so that their desires become more important than those of other people. One citizen one vote is the basis of Democracy. The more dollars you have the more say you have is the basis of capitalism.

That's what I was Just Sayin'

I have an acquaintance who says that all the time and it makes me want to jab q-tips in my ears. Your point is valid.

I'm not wont to use the latest cliche, unless I'm mocking it....usually.....

:hi:

I don't mean to repeat it so often, but it does fit a lot of situations.

Now, one thing that a friend of mine does about once every sentence... "As I was saying.." Since he is still talking, and wasn't interrupted, that gets on MY nerves a bit.

I say 'Undermine mah authoratah' like Cartman to REALLY drive her around the bend.

That is another one that gets me. "A whole nother", like nails on a chalkboard. I can see how "as I was saying" would be annoying if the person had not stopped talking.

Though, the thing about capitalism, is that is works very efficiently. So much so, that it efficiently distributes wealth to the wealthiest, who amass great fortunes and power. And at such a point, when disparity can grow little more, this economic system allows the winners to delve into politics and alter the system to benefit themselves even more. In the end, democracy can barely survive, and wanes to rule by the elite few

our form of capitalism - unbridled consumption - IS "freedom", or our particular attempt at democracy??

People here don't give a fuck about their real freedoms...

But you take away thier ability to consume all they want to....and Katy, bar the door.....

I was listening to San Francisco Bay Area talk radio and the host was talking about the Pew Research poll about the terms "socialism" that had a 30% favorable rating. He was asking about whether the US was becoming more Socialist. People were chiming in about it but they continued to confuse the idea of the economic system and civil liberties. It was pretty ridiculous. There were a few callers that understood and pointed out the conflation, but most, including the host continued to hold that fallacy. I had to turn the station after a few minutes.

Don'cha know

there are some handy documents available...see "bill 'o rights"

And there are a few freedoms missing.....

I would add freedom from predatory capitalism.

Freedom from disaster capitalism,

Freedom from usury.

Freedom to love, marry and raise children with who we will......

There are others, but I need coffee.

you think people care more about consuming than they do about the Bill of Rights? Maybe.

It does seem as if alot of people are all too willing to give up an awful lot to govt so that they can keep buying the latest and greatest.

I'm always astounded that people think this economic system is essential for democracy. Considering that it thrived for centuries under Kings, I find that hard to believe.

To me capitalism is a contest to see how much a person or corporation can scam or fraud a victim out of their money. Case in point parking 8 hours at my parking garage at work cost me 17 dollars. I get compensated for it by my employee but still do you really have to charge that much for a NECESSITY. It's sad when you have a society that places a dollar value on education (hey kids only 900 Dollars for college text books this semester) as well as health care.

:rofl:


:hi:

...so it's apples and oranges. Just sayin'. :)

If you control the economy you can "buy" the government you want though bribery and using the Media to manipulate voters. It is the Economic Elites who always rule in any society, Constitutional government is simply facade.

My point was that as a construct, they are different. Even in your example, you're talking about the economic construct over-taking the political one.

It's a semantic distinction, and largely academic, I admit.

Say it over and over.

It's actually a quite efficient instrument used to kill off the poor, at least that's what I consider it to be.

The Elites just buy the government they want and create the illusion of Democracy.

Oh wait...

:rofl:

and probably not just an accident of history either.