tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post2282882890997544687..comments2024-02-24T09:14:44.403+00:00Comments on The Poor Mouth: The tentacles of capitalismjams o donnellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-44239077316530555822011-10-26T14:41:44.437+01:002011-10-26T14:41:44.437+01:00Perhaps that would be a way to get corporations to...Perhaps that would be a way to get corporations to pay their tax dues Susan.<br /><br />With a bit of will I am sure that that the loopholes can be shut down.. and the new ones toojams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-79524583934830411132011-10-26T02:39:28.471+01:002011-10-26T02:39:28.471+01:00Ah, but the rich find ways of avoiding tax, such t...Ah, but the rich find ways of avoiding tax, such that an increased tax rate can lead to a reduced tax take. A thousand loopholes to be closed first, and little will to close them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-65117700679268596062011-10-26T02:18:21.677+01:002011-10-26T02:18:21.677+01:00Taxing the rich would be a good start. The French ...Taxing the rich would be a good start. The French government has proposed adoption of a global Financial Transaction Tax, also known as the Robin Hood Tax, at the G20 Summit they will be hosting later this year.susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747450215034568033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-61916690377415311712011-10-26T01:44:48.728+01:002011-10-26T01:44:48.728+01:00It would be great if more could and would go down ...It would be great if more could and would go down that path. I agree there must be a fair bit of scope for people to set up businesses in that wayjams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-55357371350660776392011-10-26T00:57:38.010+01:002011-10-26T00:57:38.010+01:00With a Google search on Cooperativism, a reading a...With a Google search on Cooperativism, a reading around, then thinking about spreading tentacles of cooperation and trying to get groups of unemployed and underemployed working together instead of competing for jobs. Much to be done... Trouble is everyone is too busy either working for others or looking for jobs. All there really is in the economy is stuff needing done and people who could do it. Money is often a rather clumsy way of matching them up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-64069271885134166932011-10-26T00:52:32.408+01:002011-10-26T00:52:32.408+01:00Wish I knew the answer Cherie!Wish I knew the answer Cherie!jams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-21260181936173361832011-10-26T00:52:20.977+01:002011-10-26T00:52:20.977+01:00Actually Andrew I agree. The either/or approach th...Actually Andrew I agree. The either/or approach that we are straitjacketed in (or we straijacket ourselves into) is foolish in that if fails to allow for hybrid or other viable options.<br /><br />In reality I believe in a mixed economy. A Command economy is a disaster but so is free market capitalism... <br /><br />We have benefitted to a fair extent from the market but t's face it if it were not for progressive legislation we would no have seen many of the advances. And these benefits for us do not benefit all. People in the Third World often pay the price for our prosperity.<br /><br />I do like the idea of setting up cooperatives. They are a good idea. Something that should be encouragedjams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-62074329018054270312011-10-26T00:44:11.178+01:002011-10-26T00:44:11.178+01:00Wise and truthful thoughts.
So how do we get out ...Wise and truthful thoughts.<br /><br />So how do we get out of that cycle?CherryPiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788084724907992076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-2970212105260900182011-10-25T23:52:27.184+01:002011-10-25T23:52:27.184+01:00The problem is not the market aspect of capitalism...The problem is not the market aspect of capitalism, it's that the people who climb to the top get to decide how much they should be rewarded and rather naturally grossly overestimate what they deserve (or blatantly just take what they can). Like most "either/or" false choices, such as "socialism or capitalism", the best answer is generally a blend of both. Hence, "Cooperativism" is an under-exploited middle way. I wish many of the talented young unemployed and experienced recently redundants would combine to form true Cooperatives, spreading the risks and genuinely sharing the rewards. Social media and the internet should promote it. But people need to stop thinking the choice is either to find a job or go it alone. The more sensible choice may often be for smallish groups to "go it together". But even in Cooperatives begun with the best of intentions, greed has a way of rising up to spoil things, somewhat. But still... these "tentacles" you display have vastly improved the lives of most of us relative to all who came before (if not necessarily the health of the planet) however much unfairness and greed they also embody... And through pensions (whether private or state) most of us are effectively part owners of quite a few of these companies, one way or another, without realising it. We are fed by these tentacles and are part of them. But whatever, it all doesn't last very long, for any of us, so try not to worry. It all comes out in the wash, and often sooner than we think. "Brief candles", and all that. Time for a nice walk in the woods (if I survive the night).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-37202397542228117352011-10-25T23:11:15.679+01:002011-10-25T23:11:15.679+01:00Amen Kay.. Far better than another obscene payrise...Amen Kay.. Far better than another obscene payrisejams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-47826593783483756432011-10-25T23:04:50.588+01:002011-10-25T23:04:50.588+01:00Sighhhhhhhhhhh . . . greed is one of the Seven Dea...Sighhhhhhhhhhh . . . greed is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. I'd rather they get what deserve now.Kay Dennisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02646717192332313215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-84062111585096873392011-10-25T19:03:55.733+01:002011-10-25T19:03:55.733+01:00Elie Wiesel is spot on!Elie Wiesel is spot on!jams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-86983028630751139682011-10-25T18:52:48.893+01:002011-10-25T18:52:48.893+01:00I posted a quote from Elie Wiesel on Facebook.
Bu...I posted a quote from Elie Wiesel on Facebook.<br /><br />But I still think that there should be a solution.Claudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775039539331403794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-24422151155795544232011-10-25T18:49:08.307+01:002011-10-25T18:49:08.307+01:00I know what yo mean Claude but we can't go on ...I know what yo mean Claude but we can't go on like this.<br /><br />It is utterly fascinating isn't it Cheriejams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-7269720612469558132011-10-25T18:45:29.310+01:002011-10-25T18:45:29.310+01:00I too found that article fascinating.I too found that article fascinating.CherryPiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788084724907992076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-66129770225413645542011-10-25T18:24:44.094+01:002011-10-25T18:24:44.094+01:00I know, Jams. I'm usually so good at finding a...I know, Jams. I'm usually so good at finding answers to problems. But I'm sinking here.Claudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775039539331403794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-62237789442073468702011-10-25T16:25:36.185+01:002011-10-25T16:25:36.185+01:00The barefaced greed at the top of the pile is not ...The barefaced greed at the top of the pile is not the answer either Claudejams o donnellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17315325008175184363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19492813.post-42357214137259754622011-10-25T16:11:14.139+01:002011-10-25T16:11:14.139+01:00I hate it. But what's the answer? What's ...I hate it. But what's the answer? What's the alternative? Socialism has been tried, and it doesn't work.Claudehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06775039539331403794noreply@blogger.com