Capitalism a love story

[Fuengirola Saint]

Has anyone seen this film? If so what do you think of the part where it transpires that American companies are taking life insurance policies out on their employees and cashing in if they die. The families get nothing, a memo from citibank ( i think ) said that not enough employees were dying for the company to realize high enough gains from the policies.

 

Another part of the film mentioned in a leaked Citicorp memo that the USA, UK and Canada were no longer democracies but plutonomies ( Economies controlled by the very wealthy ) and the thing that they weren't too happy about is that it is still one man one vote.

 

NB Please leave this post here because i want the content i have mentioned discussed, not the film itself.

[Marsdinho]

I cant actually comment on the specific points you have made, due to lack of knowledge.

 

However, I would strongly recommend reading anything by Professor David Harvey.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Harvey_(social_theorist_and_geographer)

Edited 1 September, 2010 by Marsdinho

[JackanorySFC]

Have always wondered - all those that think Capitalists/ Capitalism is scum etc etc. What's your alternative? Just that all I've seen is Cuba, Noth Korea, China, USSR, East Germany etc that have all completely screwed up? The crustys that mildly disrupt my journey to work every May 1st all look disgusting, dirty and violent. I'd hate to think that is what we'd all end up like if we chose whatever their alternative is?

[bridge too far]

I've seen the film. It was very thought provoking, IMO.

 

I remember the insurance scam bit and something about people rubbing their hands with glee at all the repossessions.

 

Very disturbing.

[GenevaSaint]

Have always wondered - all those that think Capitalists/ Capitalism is scum etc etc. What's your alternative? Just that all I've seen is Cuba, Noth Korea, China, USSR, East Germany etc that have all completely screwed up? The crustys that mildly disrupt my journey to work every May 1st all look disgusting, dirty and violent. I'd hate to think that is what we'd all end up like if we chose whatever their alternative is?

 

In fairness to Cuba Jackanory, I think they're doing pretty well given the trade ban imposed on them by the US. Don't they have some of the highest cancer survival rates in the world? I'll give you the others on the list though!

 

The problem with Capitalism is the greed drives some people too far, just look at those Citigroup leaks as an example.

[JackanorySFC]

Good point, did a bit of googling and it seems Cuba is great for Schools and Health Care (even attracting "health tourists" from USA but there is still the small matter of shocking poverty (1/2 the population have to live on $1 a day) and over 400 poilitical dissadents currently locked up for up to 20 years each.

[Marsdinho]

Communism isn't necessarily a bad idea, it's just been placed in the hands of the wrong people.

[dune]

I wonder where Fungi would be without Capitalism...

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Capitalism would be acceptable if the wealth that was created was distributed fairly - Also Jackanory, don't confuse capitalism with democracy.

[CB Saint]

Capitalism would be acceptable if the wealth that was created was distributed fairly - Also Jackanory, don't confuse capitalism with democracy.

 

This already happens in the UK. The capitalists create wealth when the tories are in power and it then gets redistributed when its labours turn;)

[bridge too far]

This already happens in the UK. The capitalists create wealth when the tories are in power and it then gets redistributed when its labours turn;)

 

Strange - I didn't see any of Philip Green's wealth coming my way.

 

Oh hang on a minute - he doesn't pay tax, does he.

[dune]

This already happens in the UK. The capitalists create wealth when the tories are in power and it then gets redistributed when its labours turn;)

 

I saw a programme about the living quarters the Chelsea pensioners are put up in and their rooms are akin to cells - there is no way the Socialists would have allowed a family of immigrants to live in such conditions, nor a family of British career spongers.

[GenevaSaint]

I saw a programme about the living quarters the Chelsea pensioners are put up in and their rooms are akin to cells - there is no way the Socialists would have allowed a family of immigrants to live in such conditions, nor a family of British career spongers.

 

In all fairness Dune, the conditions have not changed in 300 years. I'm sure both sides can take the blame for those conditions.

[moonraker]

I saw a programme about the living quarters the Chelsea pensioners are put up in and their rooms are akin to cells - there is no way the Socialists would have allowed a family of immigrants to live in such conditions, nor a family of British career spongers.

 

 

I am not sure what the Chelsea Pensioners situation has to do with anything being discussed here. The Hospital is a charity it is therefore the trustees of the charity who are responsible for the conditions at the hospital. Your obsession with Immigrants (a legal residency status in the UK as it has been for HUNDREDS of years e.g. before socialists), Spongers (also been around for HUNDREDS of years e.g. before socialists) and Socialists (no meaningful UK party) verges on paranoia. All three groups are small minorities used by right wing media and small minded little Englanders and the greedy as the scapegoat for all our ills; I wish it were that simple.

[ecuk268]

I am not sure what the Chelsea Pensioners situation has to do with anything being discussed here. The Hospital is a charity it is therefore the trustees of the charity who are responsible for the conditions at the hospital. Your obsession with Immigrants (a legal residency status in the UK as it has been for HUNDREDS of years e.g. before socialists), Spongers (also been around for HUNDREDS of years e.g. before socialists) and Socialists (no meaningful UK party) verges on paranoia. All three groups are small minorities used by right wing media and small minded little Englanders and the greedy as the scapegoat for all our ills; I wish it were that simple.

 

Don't blame him. he only believes what the Express tells him to.

[aintforever]

Capitalism will implode eventually IMO, the whole idea is grab as much money for yourself and f*ck everyone else, it can only go on for so long.

 

Taditionally is has been kept in check by governments but now it is truly global they are powerless. The credit crisis that has just happened was a warning but things are just carrying on as they were before, the next one will be the real crunch.

[ecuk268]

I see that the Tories are offering "access" to Ministers for £1000 a time.

 

Nothing really changes, does it?

[OldNick]

you are dealing with human beings , there are decent ones and ar##hol##. Some become fabulously rich and give large amounts to charities and good causes others try and make more. Some people can't be bothered to work but still want the trappings of the people that do.

One thing is certain, whoever gains power doesn't care to mix with the people who are not.

The Communist leaders don't go bakc and live in social housing but live in the vast estates of the people they evicted.Whatever system is around you are going to get greed and corruption.

Stop your envy of people who have succeeded in life and take the risks and do it for yourself. if you take away incentive, the wealth creators give up and do nothing and then everyone suffers.

Go out and make your fortune and then see how generous you are, i doubt there is a person on here IF they had massive wealth would give it all to the needy or even half. It is easy to be magnanimous if you don't have anything to give.

[Fuengirola Saint]

I wonder where Fungi would be without Capitalism...

 

Probably still in Spain you numpty, not sure how if the capitalist system didn't exist i wouldn't be able to live in Spain, care to enlighten me?

[bridge too far]

This might be an interesting read:

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/aug/29/ha-joon-chang-23-things