October 30, 2007


IMPEACH BUSH


IMPEACH CHENEY

CAPITALISM RAVAGES THE EARTH

In this country you have it pounded into you about the glories of capitalism and the darkness of socialism. The power elite has managed to associate socialism with gulags and big government and oppression. Come to think of it, our system isn't that much different these days, is it? As writer Michael Lind has noted, the best system is probably a mixture of capitalism and socialism. You have a true social safety net and you have private means of production. You emphasize the virtues of both systems. Pure capitalism is toxic. It's about exploitation and it's about greed. The benefits accrue to just a very few and everyone else makes do, if even that. We can do better. This article by Jason Miller is at www.smirkingchimp.com:

Capitalism, capitalism. How do I loath thee? Let me count the ways….

1. Few would argue with the conclusion that greed, selfishness, ruthlessness, and egocentrism are qualities that all of us humans possess, to varying degrees of course. Equally compelling is the argument that nearly all of us are capable of acting with kindness, compassion, justice, honesty, generosity, and empathy. Yet despite the sweeping epidemic of unnecessary suffering caused by torrential waves of avarice, self-centeredness, and brutality, our filthy moneyed elite, their well-compensated sycophants, and countless millions of deeply inculcated members of the working class defend the sacred cow of capitalism with the zeal of the Siccari. What a brilliant way to conduct human affairs and organize ourselves socioeconomically! Not only do we embrace the inevitability of our human frailties; we willfully and perpetually embrace a system that ensures that the worst elements of the human psyche will predominate AND which amply rewards those who act the most reprehensibly.

2. One of the idiocies advanced as a logical argument to justify the continued existence of the abomination of capitalism is that while it may be flawed, it is still better than any alternative. If capitalism is the best humanity can do, it’s time to cash in our chips and leave Earth to our non-human animal counter-parts. They may not have opposable thumbs and formidably sized frontal lobes, but at least they don’t engage in the systematic destruction of themselves and the rest of the planet. However, before we act too hastily and engage in mass Seppuku, perhaps it would make more sense to implement a mass reorganization of our socioeconomic structure, basing the new paradigm on far more egalitarian, sustainable, democratic, just, and rational principles. Or we could just keep destroying each other and the f****** planet….