[AshleyO]

Originally Posted by x-deviant-x

By the very nature of capitalism, workforce 2 would be the logical answer, but definitely not the correct answer, as it is not as simple as what you're trying to portray it as here.

I really COULD just stop here. But hey, why not? Let's keep going.

Your tactic to try and prove that capitalism is "the root of all evil" is weak. In order for capitalism to thrive without becoming corrupt, the society it exists in must also thrive.

Man, you are SO right that societies themselves must thrive. It's like we're on the same page.

No system is without flaws and capitalism is no exception. However one thing that capitalism has provided throughout history, that no other system has, is true freedom of its people; freedom to work where you want, to think how you want, to live where you want, to speak what you want, to be whoever you want. If you can point to another system that does provide these freedoms, and give specific examples of each, then please do as I'd love to learn about such a system – and I’m not being facetious, I’d really like to know.

Anarcho-sydicalism. Worker owned industries ran via direct democracy. They may even VOTE for a manager that will be "boss" for a short amount of time. This model removes the privilege of the boss and puts all deciding powers into the hands of the workers. Because every worker has an equal degree of risk and reward depending on the success of the business, their efforts at work are more genuine.

Of course those freedoms can't truly be said today of the current Capitalist system we have, but it is not the fault of the system itself so much as it is the fault of the people behind it. We have turned our Capitalist society into something that more resembles fascism than anything else, primarily by allowing a private corporation (the Federal Reserve) to take control of our economy; by allowing corporations to buy politicians, who in turn pass laws that favor the corporation over the individual; by passing unnecessary laws and forcing regulations that hinder business growth; by allowing corporations to become illegal monopolies; by providing incentives for huge corporations to move their production to other countries instead of penalizing them for doing so. These are just some of the problems that need to be corrected.

If someone was to just give you 10 million dollars for your vote, would you really turn it down? Money DOES talk and the game of capitalism IS to dominate. It only makes sense that capitalism would try to subvert democracy. It IS inherently survival of the fittest mentality. Do you really expect entrepreneurship to be NICE and stay in its free market place where it belongs? That's asinine. It makes SENSE that corporations would lobby for power. You can't expect anything less.

The sole function of a business is to generate profit. As much profit as possible, in order for that business to sustain itself and grow. There is nothing wrong with this, but if left unchecked it will take advantage of its workforce by any means necessary in order to reduce production costs and maximize profit – because, without profit it cannot grow. Of course this is greed, but no entity is without greed no matter what its nature is. The simple act of maintaining survival is, at its core, greed.

I nominate you to draw the line as to where profit goes too far.

Businesses can continue to function and remain competitive, and provide prosperity to its workforce, even with certain limitations put on it by laws and regulations. But when those laws and regulations become too restrictive the business is left with the choice of failing, or relocating to a place that is less restrictive. As a result, the people who depend on that business in order to survive (whether it be as income or a necessary product or service), are the ones who suffer.

(to be continued)

Do you suppose we should deregulate to bring the jobs back home? I'm sure industry would return to America if we got rid of minimum wage laws and health benefit obligations. You are correct. Regulations cause business and free trade to find the cheapest fields in which to trade. Clearly it is proven that profits ARE more important than people.

So again. I nominate you to tell us how far we should deregulate.