What is the cut off point between being a "greedy capitalist" and deserving more money?
I work with a socialist who always complains about "greedy capitalists" – land lords, business owners, etc. But he also complains about never getting a raise or a promotion.
To me, he sounds like a greedy capitalist. So, am I right? What is the cutoff point between being a greedy capitalist and someone who deserves more money?
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
The cutoff point is when the acquisition of wealth benefits a single person while damaging others (has to have both parts).
Most instances of capitalism don’t have both parts, but we do need to have sufficient regulations to prevent the abuse of people for no purpose other than the acquisition of wealth.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
The cutoff occures when the Have-Nots get jealous of the Haves.
Modern Dem thinking – If your neighbor has something you want that you cant earn for yourself, elect someone who will pass a law making it possible for your neighbors tax dollars to help fund what hes got for yourself.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
All I know is that when 400 people have more money than the rest of the people in a country of 300 million plus it sure is past that point…
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
To those without individual resolve and initiative the guy who commits capital, performs market research, sets out a business plan, and manages resources toward production only deserves as much as the guy who walks in off of the street for a job application.
Seems reasonable right?
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
There is no cut off point, if you were innovative and driven enough to make money then YOU DESERVE to keep it for the work/risks you’ve endured.
-would the government paid them if their products had failed? "good effort, we’ll give you 1 million"?
Maybe, just maybe…if absolutely forced……Bill Gates. How much money can one man spend.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
It’s arbitrary. My cuttoff point won’t be the same as yours. It’s an opinion, and it’s not a good line of thinking because ultimately someone has to be decided upon as the authority to determine what is enough for people, and cut them off after that.
I find that the only fair and absolute way to define greed is wanting something. Set the cutoff point to absolute 0, that way we can’t dispute where it should be. So yes, your friend is greedy too, only difference is that he doesn’t have what the people he define as greedy do.
People who claim they deserve free health care, free food stamps, etc…. this is greed too. I find it to be worse, because they don’t even want to work for these things, they simply demand them.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
The cut off is political affiliation.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:17 am
If money is the center of your universe, then you’re greedy. If money is just a tool, among many, to help you live a better life, then you’re a capitalist.