Your thoughts on Capitalism and the Rich

As a frequent user on ATS. I get to see many users with different points of views. My economic views are Capitalistic and I admire the view points made by Ayn Rand. As on the internet I have many different types of friends with different views. A small group is Socialist who distaste the rich upper class, business, and what not. I was curious to see what you think of people who make it in life and become rich. Just a random thought I had on my mind since I see so many people who are vocal at the rich being selfish and business as immoral.

Why not, I'll throw a line into this pond, see who else will sit on the bank with me.

My views on the rich: Let them have it. When you have money, the only other people you can be friends with are other people with money and rich people are always thinking that other rich people are trying to make HIS money, THEIRS. Too many problems. Ethical, financial, moral. Spiritual. You really want fifty billion in your account and nothing to spend it on? The Paradox of Money and the Paradox of Power are one and the same. If you have it, you don't need it.

As far as the poor goes, if you're dirt broke and wanna get rich, you can still do it in the US. But you have to sacrifice alot to get to the top, and the people who get there generally don't like it. If you're a the bottom, aim for the middle. If you're at the top, you've nowhere to go but down. And if you're in the middle, stop looking up and start looking AROUND. You can everything you desire and you don't have to go UP to get it... just OVER. Being in the middle means you still have options. Being at the bottom means you haven't even selected a ladder to climb. But being at the top means you're stuck, not going anywhere until the ladder falls or you get pushed off.

Simply put, if you're willing to work hard enough and pay the cost required, you can have as much as you want. but few people are willing.

So my Economic Class Policy: To each his own.

NEXT

Well,I know there are a lot of people on here that think socialism is the perfect solution.

It seems strange considering that two countries that were socialist have embraced capitalism..

I read something that rings so true.

A poor man never hired anyone.

reply to post by Romantic_Rebel


I definitely like Ayn Rand's philosophy. I have watched all the interviews on youtube, but unfortunately, still need to read her material.

The one thing about capitalism, especially in a media driven society such as this one (the U.S.), is that the Laissez-faire capitalism Rand refers to becomes almost non-existent. For example, she stated in one of her interviews that if one oil company out of a set charges exuberant prices, that Laissez-faire will take over, and no one will buy from that particular oil provider. However, I am not so sure she accounted for the heavily driven media to sway people one way or another via propaganda to the degree that it can.

And also, how about the education of the public. An "educated public" (critically thinking public) can see through the propaganda. An "educated public" (corporate indoctrinated public) will less likely uncover the propaganda.

quite tired. anyway.

i have no problem with people being successful and rich, but i do have a problem when those who gain such a status in society do not do all that they can to help everyone around them achieve the same status in life. instead most will do what they can to increase their own status, while also giving a little here and there to satisfy common courtesy. if i were this guy from Microsoft who sold some 50 mil shares for a 1.2 billion, i would not reinvest in other business ventures, at least not if i knew that i and my family was already completely financially secure. there's no point in making more money when you don't NEED anymore unless that money is not for yourself. that is the problem we find with corporations. the revenues they make go to people who simply don't need that much money. 50 billion dollars could support several generations in a single family, even if none of those people did a single ounce of work in their lives. but those people will do something, hopefully, making their own means to support themselves. then why is it that so many hold on to their billions when so many others could benefit from just a lousy hundred?

i guess i believe in distributing the wealth, because that is what i would do if i were wealthy enough. im sure im wrong here, so anyone can correct me, but isnt it that 1% of the global population holds 40% of the wealth in the world, or is that just the US? regardless which domain this statistic is relevant to, that's a lot of fu**ing money, a lot, and the only thing that is being done with it is that it is being reinvested in other companies so that the investers get greater returns. the problem is not people getting rich, the problem is what people do with the riches. its sickening, its sad, its selfish. i believe in a capitalist, free market system with socialist regulations, where you can make all the money in the world if you have the ability to do so, but that money you make is not for you, but for everyone. i dont see why someone would say no to this unless they are truly inherently selfish. i guess its a personal feeling for me when i just don't understand why someone would not rather do something for the benefit of someone else. if i could make money for my friends and family, i would, and i do try, but its hard because you have to take care of yourself too, and most people are strangling themselves with their own hands because they can only afford to keep their hands to themselves and its like a chain of events that one person can only help himself, leaving the person who needs help without it, so that he needs to help himself, which in turn makes the next person who could have used either of those men's help without it, etc etc.

the thing about capitalism, is that it runs parallel to the natural human instincts of self preservation and survival of the fittest, which isn't really wrong, but its just nothing special. its nothing revolutionary. it doesn't help the human species evolve into something grander, where concern is not about the self, but about the others. it doesn't help separate us from the animal world, it only confirms we are superior animals, like an elephant is superior to a lion if you threw either into an arena. both will fight to prove who is the best, that nothin unusual. its natural. that's basically how i feel about capitalism. it doesn't allow us to become supernatural. it propagates evolutionary monotony on a global scale.

Free Market/Lassez-Faire Capitalist.

Working quite hard and well on my way to being an evil, greedy, bourgeois rich bastard.


-TheAssoc.

Originally posted by Romantic_Rebel
As a frequent user on ATS. I get to see many users with different points of views. My economic views are Capitalistic and I admire the view points made by Ayn Rand. As on the internet I have many different types of friends with different views. A small group is Socialist who distaste the rich upper class, business, and what not. I was curious to see what you think of people who make it in life and become rich. Just a random thought I had on my mind since I see so many people who are vocal at the rich being selfish and business as immoral.

As you have made know that you thoughts of G-d are, he does not exist at least by bible standards are held you have the belief of freedom to make money or at least make your self better though work.

I am a capitalist in nature I believe that taxing the rich more is just taxing your self more as you purchase everything from rich people or organizations.

I believe we all are Created Equal and have the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,

I do not believe that we must fund this happiness for others through taxation.

If someone wants to be charitable then G-d Bless them AMEN.

If someone does not well I feel sorry for their choices.

G-d allows us to become wealthy some times to see if we will be charitable and do his will.

I do not believe anyone has the obligation to pay for another's; health care, schooling, Child services Dept., college, not to farm, ect ect.

The Forefathers only meant for the system to punish the bad guys and provide for a National Defense. Everything else is meant to be private.

Less taxation would mean more money in our pockets to do these things our self.

We home school are children for about 400.00 per child, for the material. When Oregon can not do half the job at 8000.00.

Capitalism is great but regulations, taxation, licensing is killing small business like my self. I get the well that is just to much from those who vote for more taxes, regulations, and licensing all the time.

I do not want or wish for any form of socialism in this country.

We should take care of the sick (booze and drugs do not apply here, nor does I had to do dishes as a child), elderly, and the widowed.

The rest of you able bodied people need to get out and work for your survival. If you can not afford it you do not need it.

I think there is nothing wrong with Capitalism and the Rich,they just live a better life by their hard work and intelligence,and not everyone are selfish .It is ok to enjoy themselves in life, people shouldn't be so cynical....