"In it's most basic sense, Capitalism is nothing more than a system that upholds private ownership of goods and the means of production, and open markets where the products can be sold and profits (after taxes) retained by the owners of the goods."
Capitalism is a fine thing, Craig, in its place, & its place is the market, & only the market.
When you apply it to an entire society, however, everything is up for sale - lies & truths, reputations, self-respect, gov't workers, elected officials, anything & anyone can be had for the right price.
Once everything is for sale, nothing is sacred, & corruption rules. It's proven in our nation's capital, & in our state capitals, & in our very communities every damned day, by lobbyists, by anyone or any company with enough money to buy whatever it is that he/it wants.
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"He (J.D.Rockefeller) was very principled in his personal and religious values, and wealth did not change that in him. He maintained it to the day he died."
Are you talking about that oh so wonderfully pious example of American citizenry who paid a man to take his place in the army during wartime, or the ruthless businessman who wiped out his competition by any means that he could, & nearly got a monopoly in his field? Or perhaps you're speaking of the man who single-handedly nearly destroyed our railway system to increase his own profits?
Yes, he certainly would be a "hero" in a corrupt & decadent capitalist system, wouldn't he? Although, truth be told, by today's standards, he'd never be able to get elected into office, with his history. (Of course, nothing would prevent him from buying a Congressman or three.)
I'll admit that he certainly bought his way into history with his philanthropy. I wonder if it also bought him a 1st class ticket to heaven...
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"Ours is a country FIRMLY grounded in BOTH, capitalism -AND- the values of Christianity."
Funny, but I don't find mention of it in the Constitution, which, in part, owes its roots to a pagan society of indigenous American natives.
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On ettiquette, you said, "It's good to learn ANYTHING that improves one's social skills or improves ones knowledge for that matter. But it may be like learning the Navajo language... if no one is speaking it, what practical use is it?"
You seem to forget that there are ppl on this planet other than Americans, even as your capitalistic country sells out its workers for higher profits, with the excuse of joining in global economics. (Odd, that!)
Those ppl we deal with in western countries have learned those lessons. The ppl from the east have also learned manners as they are applied in the west, in order to keep from offending others. The rules of ettiquette in thier own countries are even more important, & more strictly adhered to, than they are anywhere in the west.
These ppl we deal with have learned from the behaviors of Americans, in just about every social, political, & business setting, that ours is not just a classless society, but also quite a rude one. We offend at every turn, with no respect for anything or anyone. This has been shown to be true from our lowliest workers on the docks & ships, though our military, & right on up to our presidents & congressmen. Americans have no manners, &, thus, no respect.
Our lack of ettiquette is helping to put us at a social, political, & market disadvantage, as the value & number of our goods *cough* & the value of our dollar continue to decline. To continue to have no schooling in this subject shows how little we respect even our own history & traditions. But we don't need to respect anyone or anything as long as we have the strongest armed forces with the very best technologies, right? That's the impression we give to the world at large, &, frankly, I agree that it seems to be the American attitude as our citizens become ever more barbarous.
But yeah, Craig, ettiquette is a "non-academic subject," & I still think you're odd.
SMILE - it's the safest way to spread your cheeks!
