CAPITALISM: As American As Apple Pie

[kpete]

[Rex]

1. Dam we still get that big of a slice!?

I'm shocked! That means there is still a lot of money to be stolen by Wall Street!

[Bonx]

2. The alternative is a big slice of nothing.

I'll take capitalism, thanks.

[hfojvt]

6. Uh, no that is a false alternative

reminds me of the Iraq debate where war supporters framed it as a choice between
a) invade Iraq or b) do nothing

There are always a whole bunch of alternatives - capitalist ones. Here's a couple

1. consider capitalism in Switzerland. According to the CIA world fact book, in Switzerland the poorest 10% consumes 7.5% of the national income and the richest 10% has 19%. Compares very favorably to the USA where the poorest 10% only consumes 2% of the income and the richest 10% gets 30%.

2. consider capitalism in the American past. What I call the good old days - before Ronald Reagan.

In 1986, the top 1% got 11.3% of all income, and the bottom 50% got 16.7%

In 2006,. after 20+ years of Reaganomics, the top 1% got 22.1% while the bottom 50% only got 12.5% Seen in pie form here http://www.koch2congress.com/5.html

So there are alternatives to massive inequality besides "nothing for everybody".

[Bonx]

7. And all of the alternatives you posited include capitalism.

Which isn't in disagreement with what I posted.

[hfojvt]

8. no

because you implied that massively unequal distribution was the only alternative to - universal poverty.

[Bonx]

9. You could interpret it that way.

If you're really want to disagree with me.

[virtualobserver]

3. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....

now I want pie........and I want more than 20%

[deutsey]

4. It's also made mostly with rotten apples. n/t

[hfojvt]

5. that would appear to be wealth distribution not income

but I am happy to see the other 19% included as part of the problem.