Poll for atheists and libertarians

[Supergirl]

I mean this as a serious discussion about capitalism and whether it works.

I am also curious as to whether those of you who honestly identify as libertarians agree or disagree with the following quote, made by Paul Krugman on Real Time with Bill Maher?

“There are no atheists in a foxhole, and no libertarians in financial crises.”

If you don’t follow Bill Maher’s show, check it out. It's free as a podcast, if you don't have HBO. He’s had some of the best discussions and analysis of current events anywhere around these days. On his most recent episode Naomi Klein and Andrew Sullivan got into a heated debate about, essentially, whether capitalism works as a philosophy, especially in light of the current economic crisis. Here’s some quotes from the debate:

“And the disaster is far from over. They’ve actually just relocated the disaster. The disaster was on Wall Street, and they have moved the disaster to Main Street, by accepting those debts. And, you know, you said they didn’t have to bomb, but the bomb has yet to detonate. You know, the bomb is the debt that has now been transferred to the taxpayers. So, it detonates when - if - John McCain becomes president in the midst of an economic crisis, and says, “Look, we’re in trouble; we’ve got a disaster on our hands; we have to privatize Social Security; we can’t afford health care; we can’t afford food stamps; we - we need more deregulation, more privatization.” (Naomi Klein)

“At this point, we have - that’s the crisis. And, now, look. Wall Street is to blame for - for giving these people these loans, but no one is ever forced to take out a bad loan they cannot repay. And, to some extent, the American people are responsible for the crisis they’re currently in. If you had a sensible capitalist tax system which did not direct people to buy one thing rather than another and allowed the market to take place, this wouldn’t have happened. I believe this is a failure of capitalism because capitalism hasn’t been properly put into operation.” (Andrew Sullivan)

[Viva Las Espuelas]

If you don’t follow Bill Maher’s show

that's all i needed to know.

[I. Hustle]

Bill Maher is an idiot

[SnakeBoy]

I mean this as a serious discussion about capitalism and whether it works.

That really isn't the question. Capatalism has proven to work and it has proven the in the end it punishes bad decisions. Of course people who made bad decisions will scream to be saved by those who weren't stupid but such is life.

Here's a better question. Is there any other system that has proven itself to be better for the majority?

[Anti.Hero]

He’s had some of the best discussions and analysis of current events anywhere around these days.

[boutons_]

"Capitalism has proven to work and it has proven the in the end it punishes bad decisions."

it has never worked in the USA w/o regulation. the capitalists will amass fortunes by predation on natural resources, govt itself, and now with the sophistication/complication of modern finance, that, too.

There's really nothing new under the sun. USA was already here in the 1920s, Robber Barons, etc, etc. The Repugs/conservative have been trying to turn back regulation to 1920s style. Well, they got what they wanted, and, yet again, a total up.

As George Carlin said, capitalism is how to the other guy first and harder before he s you. It's a crowning achievement of human evolution.

[SnakeBoy]

it has never worked in the USA w/o regulation. the capitalists will amass fortunes by predation on natural resources, govt itself, and now with the sophistication/complication of modern finance, that, too.

When I (and I think anyone else) says capitalism I am of course talking about our mixed version of capitalism. Pure unregulated capitalism doesn't work. Is there even an example of pure capitalism in history? The political spin that this is all because of greedy wallstreet is just that spin. The root of the problem is politicians playing with the rules to benefit themselves. You obviously want to blame Repubs but Dems have had a huge role in this too, probably a larger role IMO. None of the politicians want to talk about their role, instead let's get everyone mad at golden parachutes.

As George Carlin said, capitalism is how to the other guy first and harder before he s you. It's a crowning achievement of human evolution.

It's not human evolution. It's simply the law of nature. Just look around and you'll see it everywhere. That the inherent flaw in socialism/communism, it does not not take human nature into account.