Capitalism foes not work because it always caters for the rich to become richer while others live under an illusion that they are also rich but they are living with credit and debt. A good example of this is regulations needed in America. If capitalism is so good then why do banks have to be regulated? The answer is simple... Capitalism does not work and it is flawed.
International Level: Specialist / Political Participation: 49 4.9%
Capitalism Produces Rich Bankers, Socialism Produces Happiness
By Phillip Bannowsky
When you consider that virtually no newspaper, broadcaster, well-funded think tank, teacher, or anybody's boss or commander ever said something nice about socialism, it's remarkable that only 53 percent of us still favor rule by the moneyed class. Perhaps folks are learning how capitalism sacrifices happiness for individual gain. Ref. Source 8
Your dramatic jump from a deluded majority populus to regulations required to run a government demonstrating failure of capitalism are fairly generous.
Without laws (or regulations) on our society it would fall into what one might consider anarchy. Want your bank account to have more money...just take some from someone. No problems. Feeling a bit amourous one evening... No problems, just find someone and get what you need by force...you deserve it. But wait, we have rules against that. Well gosh...I dont have limitless freedom! Obviously, our democratic/federalist/republic is flawed!
Capitalism is the same way. There is not a capitalistic orgy that is allowed to take place where we can have monopolies, cartels, price-fixing, etc... Because, you know that if there were no limits put on banks, business sectors, etc...that they would pervert it to the extremes. And yes, the extremes equal failure, so we place regulations and legislation such that fair business practices are observed.
As for banking, we have now 2 times in the last 30 years or more adjusted the regulations on banks. I believe you are specifically talking about the mortgage issue and that is a interesting one. Please go back and look at what came with the "deregulation". The mortgage companies were allowed to buy insuring companies, thus at times backing their own loans. This is a conflict of interest for sure, but did not kill the industry. The mortgage companies were then allowed to hold less and less money to back their loan holdings. This is a risk management issue. Again, we are calling it deregulation...I prefer to call it "reregulation". Next, the government said we have to give more loans to people that are even more of a risk...basically, opening up the criteria for a home loan. Mind you there were still requirements to get a loan, they were just opened up dramatically. Putting the list (not complete) of "deregulation" of the mortgage system down in this fashion shows the real issue at hand.
It isnt that we "deregulated" the economic crisis. We actually "re-regulated" the crisis. Poor foresight into the effects of each of these moves by our legislature are responsible for this enormous screw up and we have done it twice: Savings and Loans in the 80's and Mortgages (starting in 80's and continually changing regulations). The nail on the coffin was forcing banks to loan money to people that were significant risk (in particularly if the housing values dropped with the loan vehicles they were getting). No one forced them to get the loans...they flocked to the banks on their own. It was the irresponsibility of our legislature that put in place a system where the banks said...sure...your qualified.
Capitalism has no closer meaning to totally regulation free marketeering than freedom means that you can do anything you please. Honestly, you need to think of it on a spectral basis. You have totally regulation free marketeering, capitalism, socialism, communismm and fiefdom. Capitalism attempts to put as few regulations on the market as possible, but there will always need to be regulations and that does not mean failure.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 863 86.3%
The War on Capitalism
Glenn talks with Stephen Moore about the war on capitalism and free market ideas. It's a war that has been raging in colleges and universities for quite some time, but apparently George Soros isn't happy with the results. What's he spending $200 million on to help fight against the free market? Check out the interview here. Ref. Source 2
Propping Up a Broken Capitalism
By Shamus Cooke
Five years ago it would be unthinkable that a harsh critique of capitalism would attract a mass audience. But this is exactly what Michael Moore's new movie - Capitalism: A Love Story - has done. The source of Moore's success is his willingness to focus on what the media ignores: the human faces behind unemployment, bankruptcy, foreclosures, evictions, etc., and the faces benefiting from this misery - the corporate-elite sitting atop the financial system. Ref. Source 9
There is one face missing in the little summary there. Michael Moore, who is one of the premiere beneficiaries of capitalism. All of his money comes from his capitalistic endeavors.
Besides, what is the alternative? I keep reading about how capitalism is so bad, and that it doesn't work. But capitalism has given people, even the most poor, the best standard of living ever seen in the entire history of the world.
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 854 85.4%
How Capitalism will Save Us
Steve Forbes joined Glenn today to talk about the future of capitalism and about the image the Democrats have with much of America, that they are the party for the little guy. In reality, they are the party for the little guy - for keeping them poor and dependent on the government. How do you convince people that Democrats are also in bed with special interests? Ref. Source 1
Why Capitalism Doesn't Work (Hover)
Capitalism Without Capital
By Mike Whitney
This is a point that bears repeating: "...nearly $14 trillion worth of complex-securitized products were created" on top of just "$1.4 trillion" of subprime loans." No doubt, the investment bankers and hedge fund managers who inflated these monster balloons, knew that they were doomed from the get-go, but then, they must have also known that "I.B.G.-Y.B.G.", which in Wall Street parlance means, "I'll Be Gone and You'll Be Gone." Ref. Source 4