Capitalism

[*crikey*mate*]

An economic system based on the private ownership of capital goods and the private ownership of the means of production. The aim of which is to create those goods and services for wealth generation within the free market.

 Is this economic model under which you want to live?

[the_great_she_elephant]

It's not the systems themselves (capitalism, socialism, or communism) that are at fault - it's human greed.

I remember my dad predicting rather naively many years ago that, with the huge advances in technology, by the 21st century we'd all probably only need to work three or four days a week and the pressing concern would be what to do with all our extra leisure-time. 

[*crikey*mate*]

List extra entitlemenst that people do not deserve?

The generous ten days sick?

Id rather an employee not effect the rest of my workers.

I meant large companies would lay off workers for that extra bit of share value if they did not have to pay entitlements.

That was the problem with capitalism I listed, there is no end point to which someone or anyone says that they have gone to far and have made enough money.

That point is when Government steps in and those who favour capitalism cry 'Smaller Government!'

The only thing that balances capitalism is 'income equality' or as it's labelled  by some...communism.

IN THEORY - I believe that a worker should get paid for the work he performs - sick days, holiday pay etc - should be saved for out of an employees pay packet and worked into their budget..

However - I do accept that neither myself or my OH have ever knocked back paid sick leave or holiday pay when working for somebody else (however, we did have to factor this into our earnings when we were self employed - (I'm still self employed) - no one was handing us out money we didn't work for.

I think it's ludicrous that not only is an employer expected to pay you for doing a job but then also pay for all these extra things on top - I mean - what's the go with 17 1/2 % leave loading and long service leave? The employer not only has to pay you for the work that you do do, but also for time when you're not even there and for holidays - you get an extra 17 1/2% as well???

I think that "entitlements" such as these have just now been assimilated into what we accept as normal.

Maybe I'm still in the dark ages and a little old fashioned to boot - but there are sooo many other things now as well that an employer is expected to pay for on behalf of their employee - paid parental leave - paid maternity leave - superannuation - they're just what springs to mind - but from the perspective of a business owner - I don't agree with any of them.

To me they're like a tax free fringe benefit - if I take a company car or a phone account paid for by my employer, it's considered a fringe benefit, isn't it?

[*crikey*mate*]

Nobody publically has come up with a third alternative that rewards hard work, let's people who earn it get wealth, while keeping the underclass above poverty.

I guess what Japan has been doing seems like a good alternative, but that could come accross as boarderline 'communism' to some.

and that's just it - the rewards for hard work are diminishing and there are less and less people prepared to do it when in the end, they come out no better off than someone wh9o doesn't work hard etc..

DISCLAIMER - I know there are many people who do work hard and may never/will never earn the same as others - some people just seem to fall on their feet but others - well they seek out opportunities and grasp em with both hands - a saying I read on a wall at a nightclub once - "When opportunity knocks, don't complain about the noise".. You hear so many people be presented with solutions to their percveived problems or presented with opportunities - but they are so busy making excuses or complaining about how hard it will be to make it happen - that they never even have a go.

[*crikey*mate*]

It's not the systems themselves (capitalism, socialism, or communism) that are at fault - it's human greed.

I remember my dad predicting rather naively many years ago that, with the huge advances in technology, by the 21st century we'd all probably only need to work three or four days a week and the pressing concern would be what to do with all our extra leisure-time. 

sounds like your dad was a pretty wise man with a lot of foresight, eh?

human greed about sums it up I reckon - the more that is available - the more we want....

[the_great_she_elephant]

Well, no, actually he was quite wrong because here we are13 years into the 21st century, the average working week has not decreased - in fact many people are working longer hours than they would have done  50 years ago when he made that comment - and families are needing a double income just to keep their heads above water. 

[cueperkins]

......But Gina & Clyve keep making billions...that's all that matters....if only we'd all accept $2.00 a day & stop whinging....Capitalists could make even more money on our blood sweat and tears...

Why does Capitalism make me think of the Matrix?  Just batteries being deluded by an 'APPLICATION'...that we're eating steak when we're actually eating brown stuff........:^O

There are a couple of people writing about the downfall of capitalism as it slowly eats its own tail....

[*crikey*mate*]

Well, no, actually he was quite wrong because here we are13 years into the 21st century, the average working week has not decreased - in fact many people are working longer hours than they would have done  50 years ago when he made that comment - and families are needing a double income just to keep their heads above water. 

\

only because they want  so much - think about it from your dad's perspective - he, nor probably anyone else could have predicted what advancements there are in technology and how many things we "want" now as opposed to what we "need".

How many cars do most families own these days? at least one for each adult? and what types - what modifications? I live in suburbia and there are p[lenty of mums who drop their kids off to school each morning in the latest Toyota Landcruiser...

How about phones? I know there are 6 in this household plus the landline - when not so long ago it was a luxury to have two fixed phones in your house LOL

Computers - how many in each home these days?

and on it goes

[poddster]

Anyone care to check out the alternative to capitalism ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GLFLXYqV3w

That is where we are heading.

[poddster]

Of the people who answered NO to the question I have to ask a question.

Do to think the world OWES yo a living?

[the_great_she_elephant]

Of the people who answered NO to the question I have to ask a question.

Do to think the world OWES yo a living?

Theworld is an inanimate object, it is incapable of either owing or being owed anything.

The question we should be asking ido pwhat do each one of us, individually and as a community owe to each other?