I'm getting a little tired of almost militant defense of capitalism and the free market. Let me say right now that I am not anti-capitalism. I think capitalism is just like any other good thing - too much can kill you. Everything in moderation, right? A capitalist economic system fosters healthy competition, at least in theory. It offers consumers the luxury of choice. That being said, may I politely tell you all to shut up about it? You're getting pretty shrill.
I acknowledge the benefits of a capitalist system, but it's not infallible, people. It's not the Pope, though it seems like some of you have an almost religious devotion to it. Those of you who are clamoring against any kind of market regulation would probably have a slightly different attitude if the market were something else, like a public swimming pool, for example. Let's explore some of these metaphors, shall we?
A lifeguard? Must be a Commie! Let's let the free market decide who can or cannot swim!
Chlorine is just more Big Government interference. I demand the right to swim in the untreated urine and God-knows-what-else of complete strangers!
Can you see how ridiculous those attitudes really are? Let's be realistic. There's no such thing as a perfect system, because people are not perfect, and they obviously sometimes act out of extreme selfishness (see current economic crisis). Can we accept that the free market does not have the population's best interests at heart? It is after all, the pursuit of money, not the happiness of those who are not stock-holders. Regulation (hopefully) ensures that our kids are not eating lead. It keeps our peanut-butter sandwiches free of salmonella. It forces large corporations to consider the little guy, rather than poisoning the air he and his family breathe. What we need is a healthy balance between a free(ish) market and fair protective regulation. So stop whining! Accept it as a necessary evil and don't place capitalism on a pedestal.
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