If you are retired, you should be a strong advocate for capitalism, because you made enough money to save for your future.
If you worked for a business that contributed to your retirement on top of what you did, you should be doubly pro-capitalism. Why, because that business made a profit and they chose to spend it on you!
If you ever had to get unemployment benefits from the loss of a job, you should be pro-capitalism because - yes you paid into it but so did your employer and a bunch of other tax payers.
If you are on disability, you should be pro-capitalism because the more money business and people make, the more tax money their is to fund yours and mine disability!
Let me ask you a question: Do you think that the ridiculously high salaries that professional sports payers make should be cut with some of that money going to more important things like Teachers, Policemen, Firemen and our Servicemen??? If you answered "Yes" to this question, you have been indoctrinated (brainwashed) towards communism! That's right, taking from those who have and giving to those who have not is communism. Besides, sports drives our economy. Just think of all the different jobs that sports provides from owners, players, builders, vendors, maintenance, all the different media and more!? Something to think about at least.
Lets talk Pie's and Cake's:
Socialism and communism both teach that their is a "Pie" (only so much) and everybody wants a piece of it. If you have ever looked at a pie you know they come in single layered tins. Now if I want a bigger piece, I need to take from someone else, maybe not physically but in order for me to make more, someone else must make less.
Capitalism on the other hand is a Cake (7 layered chocolate for me from Cheese Cake Factory). Capitalism says that there is enough for every one who is willing to work for it! There is no ceiling on how much you can make even if you are in competition with someone. Why, because with cakes all you do to make them bigger is add layers. No one has a "wedding pie", its a cake and usually as grand as you can afford!
You, me, small businesses and big businesses should be able to make as much profit as the market will bear. More importantly they all should be allowed to spend their profits as they see fit! The only problem I have and I believe we would all agree is when the greed at the top sacrifices the bottom at someone else's expense.
I am a very simple minded person, my immediate remedy for our economy is to DRILL DRILL DRILL!
Chris Timmins While I embrace capitalism because in our flawed sinful state, and especially with secular government, we are not capable of adequately living by any other standard as a free nation, I disagree with your reasoning that we should not look toward more equaility with the distribution of wealth. In fact, if you look at the early New Testament church, it was socialistic in nature. Paul and other leaders instructed the members of the church to bring their wealth to the church that it might be evenly distributed throughout the body. Christ himself instructed the "rich man" to sell his wealth and distribute it to the poor. The only reason this does NOT work with a secular government is because of the greed and corruption of a few in leadership. It always leads to manipulation and tyranny. I will say that we as the American population are not so concerned with things being fair. We don't want "fair"...we want "more". The reason for the desire for higher salaries and more money is NOT Biblical, Ernie. It is by nature, greed. Christ does not teach us to want more...He teaches us to seek contentment, simplicity and humility. These are contradicting doctrines with capitalism. You should read "Radical" by David Platt. It is an amazingly eye-opening book. Do NOT mistake the "American Dream" and capitalism for Biblical principal...they are starkley different and by nature, on opposite ends of the spectrum of God's will.
ReplyDeleteBrad Curl I agree with you Ernie. Good read. Thx for sharing! Cake over pie anyday....
ReplyDeleteChris Timmins Brad, I question whether or not you agree with Ernie because you are uncomfortable with the notion that you not only truly have more than you need but possibly have more than God intended you to have. Let's face it, as Americans we love our "stuff". The problem is, more often than not, our wealth becomes a stumbling block to the Believer. This is why Scripture says the LOVE of money is the root of ALL evil. Don't be afraid of the notion that God may acually INTEND for us to have less in order that others might have more. This, again, is a Biblical principal...God does not just bless me for me but that I might truly be a blessing to others. God has truly provided enough of everything for the world He created...enough food, enough wealth...enough of everything. The problem is that through greed, sin and the failure of the few to equally distribute His provision, there is poverty, starvation and sickness. Please don't think I am just pointing the finger at you or Ernie. I equally struggle with this notion. Again, the great contradiction between the "American dream" and Biblical principal. This makes us as Americans uncomfortable. The truth is...it need not!
ReplyDeleteBrad Curl Chris, thanks for your insight. Doesn't change my opinion. I feel God gives us all the same opportunities in life, some strive to achieve, others rely on the masses to care for them...in time of need or not. The more a person is entitled with gifts, food, housing, etc...with little/no effort on their part it's less likely they will strive to achieve it for themselves. I'm a huge believer in personal responsibility. My resposibility, by the grace of God, is to provide for my family. I hank HIM everyday for what we provides us. If you feel you have more than God thinks you should have...I'll send you my address and you can send any overage my way=). I don't mind helping those in need "run the race in life" but I will not run the race for them. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Ernie, good topic....thx.
ReplyDeleteChris Timmins Brad, while I agree we are to strive to do the best with whatever God gives us, I have to ask you...are you truly naive enough to believe we are all given the same opportunity? That's like saying God allows everyone to be born just as healthy as everyone else. We know that's not true as many are born maimed, diseased or developmentally delayed. You were blessed enough to be born an American and I assume fairly healthy. This was simply by God's blessing. Many who are born in other nations are born severely impoverished with NO OPPORTUNITY in which to change that situation. They do NOT live in free democratic nations. They do NOT have opportunity to better their families often because their is no industry or free market. They do not have availible to them the social support which you and I are so fortunate to have. They live in oppressed nations governed by oppressive regimes and leaders who are only concerned with their own accumulatin of wealth, not the well-being of their people. You are WRONG in thinking we are ALL given the same opportunity. Even in America there are socioeconomic and familial situations that often make it all but it impossible for some to succeed or attain wealth. In fact, many who do acquire wealth depend upon keeping many of these people impoverished and dependent in order to protect their own wealth. Come on...surely you don't believe the rhetoric you are saying. Are you truly that blind?! I sure hope not.
ReplyDelete@Ernie...thanks for raising such a great topic. It is obviously one we need to examine deeply. I think as we grow as believers...we are called to examine ourselves in this light.
Brad Curl Chris, We can agree to disagree. You are taking too much of the world's burden on just one set of shoulders. If this is YOUR conviction, then so be it....God bless you. My comments are directed more locally/nationally....NOT globally. By the grace of God we live in this country...and in this country cake is preferred by most hard working, God fearing people over pie anyday...no rhetoric here. Have a great day my friend!
ReplyDeleteChris Timmins I appreciatiate your candidness, Brad. I actually enjoy healthy debate. It causes both sides to think. We will agree to disagree. You also have a blessed day my friend!
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