An Inherent Flaw With Capitalism

The cover of today’s Barron’s read “BUY BANKS” in big bold letters.

I’ll give you a second to let that sink in…

DUH!  If you’re a capitalist, then it makes perfect sense to buy banks.  After all, they are invincible.  Because, when they falter, the United States Government will bail them out…

Banks (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are so entrenched in the wallets, closets and homes of Americans that the United States Government, apparently, can not afford to let them fail.  Since the US Government won’t let them fail, it makes perfect sense to buy banks.  It’s an invincible investment.  So, if you’re a greedy capitalist, buy banks.

Now, if you think people or banks or the US government should be accountable, you will obviously not buy banks.  The act of buying banks supports their questionable capitalist tactics, tells the government it is okay to bail them out and supports the government that is bailing them out and, therefore, supporting their questionable capitalist tactics.

The conundrum?  There is none if you have no soul.  The answer is simple -  buy banks – as it is merely a matter of money over… well, whatever it is you don’t have in that place where a soul would be.  For those in the audience that hate capitalism, I applaud you, as you will probably not buy banks and maybe, just maybe it will send a positive message.

So, the inherent flaw in capitalism?  A bank screws up, the government supports said bank and, subsequently, the capitalist thing to do is to invest in those banks – since they are an invincible investment, backed by the government.

Best Buy Rating of the Day – F

A few months ago, I bought a new laptop at Best Buy.  Then, comes that question, “Would you like to purchase the warranty?”  Normally, I categorically refuse all warranties, as they cost money and I typically see no benefit from them.  However, as a writer, I decided to purchase the Best Buy warranty, so that I wouldn’t have to send my laptop away and be stuck without it for an extended period of time.  It was really the only benefit of the warranty.  The laptop came with its’ own warranty, but that would require send it away and being stuck without my laptop.  So, I purchased the Best Buy warranty and thought (for the first time about a warranty) “This could save me some hassle.”

Fast forward to last week – my computer encounters a minor problem.  By minor problem I mean one that does not restrict my writing process, but makes life a little less enjoyable.  So, I finally got around to going to Best Buy.  Long story short, the Best Buy employee at the geek squad desk says, “We can send it away for you to get fixed.”

“WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?”

“It’ll take about two weeks.”

Let me re-emphasize – this is a minor problem.  It does not affect my writing.  Therefore, I can not possibly justify sending my laptop away (hindering my writing) in order to get it fixed.  So, Best Buy’s rating of the day is F, as in failure, failure to appease me, failure to have a warranty that is useful and failure to fix my computer.  Failure for their warranty to even make sense.

This is why I hate capitalism.  (In case you didn’t know, I hate capitalism.)

Environmentalism Co-Existing with Capitalism: Recycling to Gift Wrap

A Complex Integration Process
The integration of capitalism and environmentalism is a complex process, which can not be accomplished in a short period of time. Going green has recently been touted as a desirable characteristic within capitalistic endeavors, but many advocated steps are just that – mere steps to a more environmentally-friendly world in a society entrenched in capitalism. Although the dawn of the internet age seemed like a process that was highly integrated into modern culture overnight, the integration of environmental ideals can not occur so expeditiously in the current cultural landscape.  Continue Reading

 

Marrying Capitalism and Environmentalism

It’s a tall task to take to town, but it’s on my mind and I’m thinking about writing an article about it.  I spent six months livin in an ecovillage in 2007.  Beforehand, I never considered myself much of a capitalist, but like Marla (Helena Bonham Carter) mirroring Jack’s (Edward Norton) shortcomings in the great movie Fight Club, some of the ecovillagers aversion to capitalism was a wake up call, especially when I contracted Hepatitis A and there was a scare with the health department.  Money’s necessary and while saving the Earth is probably more necessary, it is not as seemingly imminent.  And, therein lies the rub, along with years and years of systemic, built-in tradition and ways of living.  EDIT (04-17-08): In fact, I wrote an article on this titled, “The Environmental and Capitalistic Teachings of Living at an Ecovillage Intentional Community.”