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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(108,367 posts)
Sat Apr 27, 2024, 01:46 PM Apr 27

Consumers have power to direct a moral capitalism

By Ron Friesen / Herald Forum

When I visited New York City about one year after 9-11, I was able to go to the top of the iconic Empire State Building and look down at all the “ants” scurrying around on the streets below. The thought suddenly hit me in that New York moment, “If I could make just one dollar from each person down there, I would be rich beyond my imagination!”

There is something about New York. It’s like Frank Sinatra sang, “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” It is the quintessential center of capitalism and success.

But New York capitalism has a huge problem. Success is defined as winners and losers. Winners who take the most are revered. Businesses and people with morality are ridiculed. For example “If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying!”

Have you noticed how this has wormed its way into our divisive politics from a certain presidential candidate, formerly of New York?

https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/forum-consumers-have-power-to-direct-a-moral-capitalism/

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Consumers have power to direct a moral capitalism (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 27 OP
We do. Igel Apr 27 #1

Igel

(35,383 posts)
1. We do.
Sat Apr 27, 2024, 02:26 PM
Apr 27

We don't want something, we don't buy it. There's a demand for something, and somebody'll come along and try to find a way to provide it while making a living from it. Consider the fidget-spinner.

If "they" have a definition of success = being a "winner" (amassing lots of $), we're free to redefine "success" as living simply and cheaply. Maybe "success" means having a family of 3 and you take out your one load of trash every two weeks--the rest is recycled or composted (or simply not consumed because the packaging waste and wasted food was avoided).

Note that the wealthy are also ridiculed. Look around. Lots of ridicule, contempt, disgust.

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