I've seen it coming for years – capitalism's rococo period. Capitalism, I'm sorry to say, breeds greed and provides greed a fertile ground for growth. So long as cultures are guided by conscience and respect for fellow human beings, greed can be held at bay. Some of this country's greatest capitalists have also been its greatest benefactors. Capitalists today, perhaps excepting Bill and Melinda Gates, seem not to be filling the benefactor role. I think of them as radical capitalists, capitalists who have no regard for other human beings.
It's a matter of conscience, I believe. We, as a country, seem to have misplaced ours.
What radical capitalists need to understand is that in their greed they may destroy the markets on which they depend. If the general populace becomes so impoverished it cannot purchase the products entrepreneurs produce and capitalists invest in, the whole system will collapse. You cannot get blood out of a turnip.
In addition, radical capitalists exploit the earth's natural resources irresponsibly. Get at the resource in the cheapest way possible in order to maximize profits. Case in point: the BP oil spill.
I'm not sure what motivates greedy people. Have they no humility? Have they no compassion? Do they not comprehend their impact on the earth's livability? Have they no limits?
Capitalism is here to stay, no doubt, but can't we insist on a conscionable capitalism? Not through government regulations, but through an acknowledgment that we're all in this world together and that we owe each other something more than a pittance. We owe each other a sense of dignity. As for this earth, we owe it our very lives. The earth, above all, deserves our respect and gratitude.
It's a matter of conscience, I believe. We, as a country, seem to have misplaced ours.
What radical capitalists need to understand is that in their greed they may destroy the markets on which they depend. If the general populace becomes so impoverished it cannot purchase the products entrepreneurs produce and capitalists invest in, the whole system will collapse. You cannot get blood out of a turnip.
In addition, radical capitalists exploit the earth's natural resources irresponsibly. Get at the resource in the cheapest way possible in order to maximize profits. Case in point: the BP oil spill.
I'm not sure what motivates greedy people. Have they no humility? Have they no compassion? Do they not comprehend their impact on the earth's livability? Have they no limits?
Capitalism is here to stay, no doubt, but can't we insist on a conscionable capitalism? Not through government regulations, but through an acknowledgment that we're all in this world together and that we owe each other something more than a pittance. We owe each other a sense of dignity. As for this earth, we owe it our very lives. The earth, above all, deserves our respect and gratitude.
No comments:
Post a Comment