Communism died, and capitalism survived. Capitalism is a supposed system that allows freeness in an economy - market forces in the hands of private owners control what happens to the economy with minimal influence by the state. Capitalism has produced enormous wealth in the West. There are so many millionaires and billionaires. The question is, what is the ratio of the stupendously rich and those who are just scraping by - living from pay check-to-pay check? The gap is huge between the rich and the poor in most capitalist states.
When President Trump was going to deliver his tax reform, it favored the rich with about 80% of the tax benefits going to the top 1% richest people in America. The argument was that they create jobs, they should benefit more - money is being given to those who really do not need the extra cash but those who need it the most, aids is been taken away from people who are at the bottom of the ladder because of a few who lie on their social welfare claims.
I have lived in America for 8 of the last 9 years, and I am still finding it difficult to understand why Americans will accept this type of system. I realized it stems from the first settlers - it was a survival of the fittest. Indian lands were taken and are still being taken to pave the way for wealth accumulation for the Anglo Saxons who have dominated the country from the beginning. The philosophy is based on the Darwinian Theory that states that "all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce." The call by the right-wing conservatives that lockdown restriction be completely removed is also based on this philosophy - their belief is that humans die of many other types of infectious diseases before covid-19, why stop being who we are because of a mere virus, they ask. They claim those who will die will surely die and the majority will survive and humanity will continue. What they have not given deep thought is that what happens if this comes closer home to them - if many of their loved ones - families are wiped out suddenly without being able to say goodbye as it had been for some families. Many of these right-wing conservatives are rich, often healthy, and could afford good care if they contract the disease. I think this is a callous and selfish mindset.
In summary, this is the foundation of capitalism - I think this is a major flaw to this particular system of economy or way of viewing the world. A philosophy/principle that allows a few people to be on one side of the spectrum and majority on the other end. There is no balance and the danger is chaos - we have seen many of such - Tea party movement, Black lives matter, me too, and anti-fascism, etc. The Bonnie Sander's movement is the latest movement that has caused the progressive within the democratic party to revise their philosophy on wealth sharing. There is a need for balance.
When President Trump was going to deliver his tax reform, it favored the rich with about 80% of the tax benefits going to the top 1% richest people in America. The argument was that they create jobs, they should benefit more - money is being given to those who really do not need the extra cash but those who need it the most, aids is been taken away from people who are at the bottom of the ladder because of a few who lie on their social welfare claims.
I have lived in America for 8 of the last 9 years, and I am still finding it difficult to understand why Americans will accept this type of system. I realized it stems from the first settlers - it was a survival of the fittest. Indian lands were taken and are still being taken to pave the way for wealth accumulation for the Anglo Saxons who have dominated the country from the beginning. The philosophy is based on the Darwinian Theory that states that "all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce." The call by the right-wing conservatives that lockdown restriction be completely removed is also based on this philosophy - their belief is that humans die of many other types of infectious diseases before covid-19, why stop being who we are because of a mere virus, they ask. They claim those who will die will surely die and the majority will survive and humanity will continue. What they have not given deep thought is that what happens if this comes closer home to them - if many of their loved ones - families are wiped out suddenly without being able to say goodbye as it had been for some families. Many of these right-wing conservatives are rich, often healthy, and could afford good care if they contract the disease. I think this is a callous and selfish mindset.
In summary, this is the foundation of capitalism - I think this is a major flaw to this particular system of economy or way of viewing the world. A philosophy/principle that allows a few people to be on one side of the spectrum and majority on the other end. There is no balance and the danger is chaos - we have seen many of such - Tea party movement, Black lives matter, me too, and anti-fascism, etc. The Bonnie Sander's movement is the latest movement that has caused the progressive within the democratic party to revise their philosophy on wealth sharing. There is a need for balance.
Excellent points on how capitalism continues to widen the gap between the haves and the have -nots.
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