[gvg]

http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70122701&trkid=2361637

I dunno if it'll work without a netflix account, but i'm sure it can be found if you look on google.

I think this just about summarizes the issues. Comments? (Note: It's 2 hours long, you'll need some time)

[Guest]

there's so many bad assumptions in this movie i don't even know where to begin.

he makes it sound as if earning a profit is itself inherently evil.

let's define a few terms.

private: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group or class of persons.

property: goods, land, etc., considered as possessions

profit: returns, proceeds, or revenue, as from property or investments.

income: the amount of monetary or other returns, either earned or unearned, accruing over a given period of time

wage: money that is paid or received for work or services, as by the hour, day, or week.

capitalism: an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, especially as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.

look, when i buy something, i own it. when i buy food, i can consume it. when i buy a cd i can play it. how do i purchase these things?

not by sitting on my hands and doing nothing but by labor. when i provide a good or service that someone else wants, they give me goods or services in exchange. the more beneficial my labor, the more i receive i return. and I'm not locked in to a single employer, i can work for anyone. and I'm not locked in to a single buyer, i can purchase from anyone. that's all we mean by capitalism. is that so bad so wrong? does evil exist in a capitalistic system? absolutely. i'm not saying it doesn't, as this video clearly points out. but socialism, the alternative, is certainly no better. the government is as equally incapable of providing fairness and equality as any businessman, if not more so.

[gvg]

I understand that Michael Morre is very extreme. i don't necessarily agree with everything he says.

i think something better to have included would be these:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-socialism-and-communism.htm

http://www.marxmail.org/faq/socialism_and_communism.htm

I'll continue my reply later, I don't have time right now.

[gvg]

so, continuing:

Socialism doesn't seek to end things like profit, etc. it seeks to rid the ills of capitalism while keeping the basic structure (things like this: http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph Not necessarily fully the fault of capitalism, but one could argue that it played a part)

Also, socialism isn't the only alternative. Some natons use Socio capitalism: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-social-capitalism.htm (I disagree with their definition of socialism in this article, they described communism)

Edited June 25, 2011 by gvg

[gvg]

Oh, and what bad assumptions? I am genuinely curious.