Capitalism – Friend or Foe?
I have been thinking long and hard prior to even attempting to write this blog. I am sure that most “thinking” people will consider these comments before dismissing them. Certainly, all of us should have a considered opinion about the world culture in which we live and have the maturity to distance ourselves from the influencing benefits and incentives that so easily shroud us from sound thinking.
Over the past few years, I have become saddened and challenged, by the widening gap between the haves and have-nots. I have spent most of my adult life serving none profit organisations, through an underlying belief and a commitment to bringing change. Change, that comes via influence and practical assistance, rather than a soapbox mentality.
In recent times, several western governments used the world’s economy as a means to financially bailout many of the faceless corporate entities, citing that without such a move, the world would slip into an unprecedented recession. Laws were passed almost unchallenged (certainly unheeded) and at a pace that would leave an Olympic sprinter out of breath. All these acts proceeded without as much as a referendum by the people or a consultative process. These people acted in the interests of whom?
In our western culture we consider capitalism as many would religion. In fact to many, capitalism isn’t merely a religion it is a god. It dictates not only what we believe but how we behave. When communism adopts capitalism (to the point of excelling on the world stage), one has to question “what is the underlying philosophy that regulates capitalistic behaviour?” Many of the values and motives that our fore fathers embraced under freedom, no longer apply in the world of business.
Recently, I spoke to a business person in connection with a critical issue relating to personnel. Their response was “This is not personal, it’s business.” This statement typifies the lack of ethic and morals that are part of many business decisions and individuals psyche today. For every action there is a reaction!
Whilst shopping in the mall recently, I was literally accosted by a middle aged woman, who frantically dumped facts and figures about the world economy and the world’s most powerful bankers upon me. It was a tidal wave of passion and concern. She held my attention for close to fifteen minutes and departed as quickly as she had arrived. Why me? Out of the thousands of shoppers and at any given time of the day, she chose to dump this on me and left. The very next day, as I was browsing TV, I found myself watching Michael Moore’s documentary “Capitalism, a love story”.
Now I’ve been thinking! When decisions are made based purely on a financial outcome and with no regard for those for whom these decisions ultimately effect, are we acting in the interests of community or bank? Aren’t public servants charged with acting in the best interests of those to whom they serve and are responsible? It seems to me, that the only people to benefit out of the “supposed” recent financial collapse, were the CEO’s and investors that saw it coming.
There is a clear disparity between those for whom income is on a fixed rate and those who can “write off” expenses. In Moore’s documentary he asked the question “How would Jesus view capitalism and what was his response to the capitalists of His day? I’m still thinking!
Today, I received an e-mail with the following attached. I don’t know the person responsible for its collation, but for your interest, it may well sound very familiar?
quote:
Send it Around New Zealand
At first I thought this was funny....... Then I realized the awful truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think..
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Driving Permit Tax
Environmental Tax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Local Body Tax
Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Provincial Income and sales tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Tax
Telephone , Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
--- and in 2010
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in "Hell" happened?
Anon
