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Reason and Capitalism » Entries tagged with "capitalism"

Why I’m a Capitalist

A couple of months ago, I was with a group of radical anti-capitalists. They thought that government was the answer to life, the universe and everything. They thought that businessmen secretly cheat on their wives and beat their children, whereas the poor starving individual was heroically beaten down by the brutal financial leaders. Maybe I’m stretching it a bit. But when I announced to them that I was a capitalist, they just gave me a blank stare. “Why on earth?“, was the simple question. Here’s a paraphrase of what my answer was. First I defined capitalism as being a simple idea. It’s where the government leaves the corporate world alone, and doesn’t try to do business work in a senate committee with people who have never done business. Capitalism is economic freedom. There … Read entire article »

Filed under: Capitalism, Philosophy, Politics

The American Dream

Wow. I rarely read a news story that makes me sit up, take notice and feel good about myself, but this one about income mobility did just that. A kid took 25 bucks, a gym bag, went to the homeless section of a town in South Carolina, camped out, and set a goal. With no outside help or contact, he was going to start over and prove to the world that in America anyone can be well off. In 10 months, he went from having just a bag and barely enough money to buy supper to living in an apartment, driving a pickup truck and having nearly five grand in the bank. To all the nay-sayers who think it’s impossible for the poor to leave their poverty: PWNT! … Read entire article »

Filed under: Capitalism

Making a Profit

There is a frightening movement that has existed since man first bartered. The movement views profit (or “greed”) as evil. Self-interest is seen as wrong. The root of the movement is that “greedy” people are evil, that they don’t care about the poor. Because we do. My family owns a business, and we have dozens of similar friends. We donate to the poor constantly. We donate out of love. Not because the man with the badge has a gun to our heads, but because we are moral. I hate to be over dramatic, but the idea of capitalists seeking profit so they don’t care about the poor is simply dehumanizing. Desiring the comforts of life and hence working to achieve those comforts doesn’t mean we are evil. Wanting to have success … Read entire article »

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Introduction to Capitalism

Capitalism, both morally and pragmatically, is not just justified — it’s dramatically needed. The economic and moral benefit of resorting to the system of financial freedom is absurdly necessary. I will not pretend to be unbiased here. Though I used to support economic restriction, years of research and contemplation have brought me to the conclusion that anything less than capitalism is not only destined to failure — it’s wrong. Capitalism helps the poor by raising the average standard of living — this is why the poor in the US would be considered rich in other countries. This is, of course, not to say that the standard of living could be hire — hence the need to stop the economic prohibitive laws. Capitalism helps the middle class by allowing them to invest to a … Read entire article »

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A Short Case for Big Business

I’m an active member on a high-school debate forum[1], and the topic of big government was brought up. A fellow user, Caleb Winn, posted a quick summary of why big business isn’t wicked and evil, and in fact is essential and incredibly helpful for everyone, including the middle and poor class. I think he’s dead on. He based the following on the article “The Problem With Populists” by George Will: ——- “I have an idea, though. Let’s get rid of “Big Business” and see how we all like a world where food is much scarcer and more expensive, and where the kinds of life-saving medications and medical equipment that have saved the lives of millions of children were never developed.” “Big business may at times distribute wealth inequitably, but at least there is wealth … Read entire article »

Filed under: Capitalism

Image of the Creator

If I had to describe myself in two words, both would begin with “C”. I’m a Christian-Capitalist. These two words describe everything about what I believe and who I am as a person — my philosophy about reality, life, God, violence, people — everything. Unfortunately, many, if not most, people are starting to view Christianity as being at odds with capitalism. After all, how could a philosophy of self-interest and profit mesh with a religion of selflessness? The answer is simple: Christianity isn’t a religion of selflessness and pointless-sacrifice — at least not to any literal extent. I’ll focus on just one aspect of the Christian religion, and make several stipulations based upon one of the most over read stories in the Bible: The Creation story. It’s more than about the chronological … Read entire article »

Filed under: Capitalism, Philosophy, Religion

Money, Freedom, Capitalism

I just stumbled across a beautiful video regarding capitalism, freedom and what money really is. It’s fabulous. “Productive work is the central purpose of a rational man’s life, the central value that integrates and determines the hierarchy of all his other values. Reason is the source, the precondition of his productive work … Read entire article »

Filed under: Capitalism, Philosophy, Politics, Random