NationStates Jolt Archive


Capitalists Anonymous

Capitalist Progression
29-12-2004, 06:36
Anyone else in here a capitalist? A show of hands maybe? Any brethren in the house?
New Foxxinnia
29-12-2004, 06:39
I guess I'm a Capitalizt. I mean, I like to buy stuff with money, so, yeah, I guess that makes me a capitalizt, I suppose...
Capitalist Progression
29-12-2004, 06:41
Well there you go, that's awesome. Everyone likes money, right? Money is good! Yay capitalism!
Colodia
29-12-2004, 06:41
I guess I'm a Capitalizt. I mean, I like to buy stuff with money, so, yeah, I guess that makes me a capitalizt, I suppose...
I buy stuff, does that make me a capitalist?

*waves Albertsons membership card*
Stabbatha
29-12-2004, 06:41
How is it anonymous...we can see whose posting -.o
Capitalist Progression
29-12-2004, 06:43
I buy stuff, does that make me a capitalist?

*waves Albertsons membership card*

No, but it does make you a consumer!
Capitalist Progression
29-12-2004, 06:44
How is it anonymous...we can see whose posting -.o

The first rule of Capitalists Anonymous is you don't talk about Capitalists Anonymous...
Colodia
29-12-2004, 06:46
The first rule of Capitalists Anonymous is you don't talk about Capitalists Anonymous...
well then I guess a membership card to CA won't give me discounts in consumer merchandise then, eh?
Vittos Ordination
29-12-2004, 06:56
I think this thread should be alternatively titled "The Coalition of Closet Capitalists." Alliteration is devine.
New Kanteletar
29-12-2004, 07:10
Money sucks. Stuff is way cooler.
Kiwicrog
29-12-2004, 07:11
*raises hand*
Matalatataka
29-12-2004, 07:21
The first rule of Capitalists Anonymous is you don't talk about Capitalists Anonymous...

The second rule of Capitalists Anonymous is you don't talk about Capitalists Anonymous!!

Rule three, if this is your first time at Capitalists Anonymous you have to buy something. There's cheaply made products from China that will break in six months for sale in the lobby.
Nihilistic Beginners
29-12-2004, 07:21
You guys got it all wrong...buying stuff doesn't make you a capitalist...but selling stuff does...I would market my own grandmother if I knew it would make me some money, but she has been dead for quite a number of years...
Matalatataka
29-12-2004, 07:31
You guys got it all wrong...buying stuff doesn't make you a capitalist...but selling stuff does...I would market my own grandmother if I knew it would make me some money, but she has been dead for quite a number of years...

Actually I believe it's about both buying and selling things. Websters just mentions having capital esp. extensive capital, invested in business enterprises. Fuck Websters! I say make up your own definitions. It's more fun that way.
Nihilistic Beginners
29-12-2004, 07:35
Actually I believe it's about both buying and selling things. Websters just mentions having capital esp. extensive capital, invested in business enterprises. Fuck Websters! I say make up your own definitions. It's more fun that way.

Okay I'll buy that...
Matalatataka
29-12-2004, 07:36
For a dollar?
Superpower07
29-12-2004, 22:44
I am "evil capitalist" according to liberals :D
Kwangistar
29-12-2004, 22:45
Capitalism is amazing
Eichen
29-12-2004, 23:08
Shameless Libertarian Capitalist here. Everyone else is a capatalist too here, but some are in denial. When they give up all of their unnecessary posessions (or at least share them with anyone who asks) and follow in the footsteps of Buddha or Christ, then I'll buy (ha) their socialist rants.
Until then, they're just hypocrites.
UltimaWeapon
29-12-2004, 23:15
I guess I am a Captialist Paradise =/
Rockness
30-12-2004, 00:09
Shameless Libertarian Capitalist here. Everyone else is a capatalist too here, but some are in denial. When they give up all of their unnecessary posessions (or at least share them with anyone who asks) and follow in the footsteps of Buddha or Christ, then I'll buy (ha) their socialist rants.
Until then, they're just hypocrites.

Done.
Los Banditos
30-12-2004, 00:13
I too am a Libertarian Capitalist and proud of it.

*waits for socialist to barge in*
Rockness
30-12-2004, 00:40
I too am a Libertarian Capitalist and proud of it.

*waits for socialist to barge in*

*barges in lazily*

Yeah. You've got nothing to be proud of etc... can't really be arsed 'cause I'm not gonna change anyone's mind...
Los Banditos
30-12-2004, 00:44
*barges in lazily*

Yeah. You've got nothing to be proud of etc... can't really be arsed 'cause I'm not gonna change anyone's mind...
Apathetics Anonymous is in the door on the right.
Andaluciae
30-12-2004, 00:50
I own stock and believe in freedom of a mostly-free market, so I'd say I am as well.
Sarcodina
30-12-2004, 00:52
If anyone wants to join a capitalist alliance visit
here...http://nsceo.proboards43.com/

It's new (tell your regional members except if their socialist...)

Coming out of the closet to show I am not an atheist communist with no sense of right and wrong was the most exhilarating (sp?) moment of my nationstates career...though people laugh at me now...
Paxania
30-12-2004, 00:53
Yay capitalism! *Waves little American flag*
Alomogordo
30-12-2004, 00:54
Sure, I'm a capitalist--and a Democrat:
Free trade-good, mostly
Raising minimum wage-good, but with some negatives
Poor people starving-bad
Tax cuts for millionaires-bad
100% tax rates-REALLY bad
Universal healthcare-good
Univeral PUBLIC healthcare-there are better options

Yeah, basically just a capitalist Democrat.
Capitalist Progression
30-12-2004, 01:01
Is it really bad that the CEO of Capitalists Anonymous (me) is currently classified by the UN as a "Liberal Deomcratic Socialist" ???

I'd be an economic powerhouse but i'm not used to the cause-effect scenarios of NS, and therefore sometimes make bad policies that don't reflect twoards a pure Capitalist society.

I say, all capitalists should unite and purge themseves of UN socialist doctrine!!!

WHO IS WITH ME???
Freemanistan
30-12-2004, 17:24
Sign me up! I will buy and sell 'til the socialists are defeated! Capitalism Rocks!
Kwangistar
30-12-2004, 17:27
Is it really bad that the CEO of Capitalists Anonymous (me) is currently classified by the UN as a "Liberal Deomcratic Socialist" ???

I'd be an economic powerhouse but i'm not used to the cause-effect scenarios of NS, and therefore sometimes make bad policies that don't reflect twoards a pure Capitalist society.

I say, all capitalists should unite and purge themseves of UN socialist doctrine!!!

WHO IS WITH ME???
Become Capitalizt :)

Or you can try getting the elusive Free-Market Paradise. I tried and gave up :(
Greedy Pig
30-12-2004, 18:05
Capitalist in meaning lasseiz faire? No taxes?

Or Capitalist in meaning, free market economy?

My nation is a Corporate Police State/ Iron Fist Consumerist (varies round there). Everything to business. However still has taxes, if not the government cannot run and private funding for the nations armies usually problems would arise.
Dogburg
30-12-2004, 18:45
I'm a libertarian capitalist. Free economy, free society.
Capitalist Progression
30-12-2004, 23:55
I'm a libertarian capitalist. Free economy, free society.

I think that's somewhat the idea of the group i'm attempting to form.

I believe in something I’ve coined as "unlimited" capitalism. Free trade, no tariffs, no government control of business, very little taxes and only on products you buy.

Ideally there would be no taxes at all, but there needs to be a government to defend people's rights, defend from invading countries, and to establish a monetary system so that what you earn is actually worth something. All of that requires some taxes.

To me, a free capitalist market has its own checks and balances so that a corporate police state doesn't occur. That is, without workers that get paid an adequate amount, there can be no wealth within the society. If the income gap is too big, the poor can't buy anything, the economy crashes, and there will be a re-distribution of wealth as businesses create incentives to stay afloat.

If those sound like the ideals you wish to represent, I am organizing a Coalition of Capitalist Nations. Those who wish to join, or share their ideas about such an organization, are advised to reply to this post, or send my nation (The Republic of Capitalist Progression).
Siljhouettes
30-12-2004, 23:57
I'm a regulation capitalist.
Our Earth
30-12-2004, 23:59
Does anyone find it odd that XXXX Anonymous meetings always start with "Hello, my name is _____?"

Anyway, I'm a Theoretical Capitalist, the ideas work for me, but the practice doesn't, not yet at least.
Davistania
30-12-2004, 23:59
You guys got it all wrong...buying stuff doesn't make you a capitalist...but selling stuff does...I would market my own grandmother if I knew it would make me some money, but she has been dead for quite a number of years...

Sort of like how I could buy and sell your ass a thousand times over?
Dogburg
31-12-2004, 00:10
I believe in something I’ve coined as "unlimited" capitalism. Free trade, no tariffs, no government control of business, very little taxes and only on products you buy.


The ideal you've "coined" is laissez-faire capitalism.
Laissez-faire meaning to "leave-it-to-do", with reference to the economy and society.


To me, a free capitalist market has its own checks and balances so that a corporate police state doesn't occur. That is, without workers that get paid an adequate amount, there can be no wealth within the society. If the income gap is too big, the poor can't buy anything, the economy crashes, and there will be a re-distribution of wealth as businesses create incentives to stay afloat.


This passage was unclear to me? Are you suggesting intervention to prevent such a crash from occuring? (That philosophy would be socialism, not L.F Capitalism)

I and other capitalists would propose that such corporate monopolies are ironed out as soon as a competitor provides a similar service which is significantly better in quality or price than the current holder of the market (the one who has the monopoly). The only time a monopoly can improperly occur is via intervention from government, either subsidizing one provider or restricting another.
Davistania
31-12-2004, 00:12
This passage was unclear to me? Are you suggesting intervention to prevent such a crash from occuring? (That philosophy would be socialism, not L.F Capitalism)

It's liberal capitalism. We don't own all the means of production, but we let it smooth out the rough edges. That way we don't get rat droppings in our food. Don't play your commie word-games with me.
Alomogordo
31-12-2004, 00:13
I'm a regulation capitalist.
We need more regulatory capitalists, fewer lazzes-faire, and fewer socialists on these boards. Balance is the key to the golden mean!
Dogburg
31-12-2004, 00:26
Laissez-faire capitalism and socialism are diometrically opposed philosophies. A hardline LF capitalist like me believes government intervention except in defense of its people from theft, fraud, assault and the like is inherently wrong. That's the opposite of socialism.

In no way am I a commie.
Davistania
31-12-2004, 00:30
Laissez-faire capitalism and socialism are diometrically opposed philosophies. A hardline LF capitalist like me believes government intervention except in defense of its people from theft, fraud, assault and the like is inherently wrong. That's the opposite of socialism.

In no way am I a commie.

I know. It's just quaint to see you libertarians call rational, moderate people commies.
Grogginc
31-12-2004, 00:35
Another Laissez-Faire Capitalist here. A European one even! :eek:
Grogginc
31-12-2004, 00:37
Is it really bad that the CEO of Capitalists Anonymous (me) is currently classified by the UN as a "Liberal Deomcratic Socialist" ???

I'd be an economic powerhouse but i'm not used to the cause-effect scenarios of NS, and therefore sometimes make bad policies that don't reflect twoards a pure Capitalist society.

I say, all capitalists should unite and purge themseves of UN socialist doctrine!!!

WHO IS WITH ME???

I'm with you! :fluffle:

The UN classifies my nation as an "Anarchy" :(
Though that name is probably closer to my ideal than anything else except for Capitalizt, Capitalist Paradise and Free-Market Paradise :)
Dogburg
31-12-2004, 00:45
The reason your nation is classed as anarchy is because you have amplified the principles of capitalism to a large degree. In the same way that communism is the extreme of socialism (you take away some rights, it's socialism, you take away all rights - communism), anarchy is the extreme of capitalism (you take away most restrictions, it's capitalism, you take away all restrictions, it's anarchy).

I think that balance certainly is important. When people have "the right to steal" and "the right to murder", the concepts of capitalism have been implemented in too extreme a fashion.
Grogginc
31-12-2004, 00:52
The reason your nation is classed as anarchy is because you have amplified the principles of capitalism to a large degree. In the same way that communism is the extreme of socialism (you take away some rights, it's socialism, you take away all rights - communism), anarchy is the extreme of capitalism (you take away most restrictions, it's capitalism, you take away all restrictions, it's anarchy).

I think that balance certainly is important. When people have "the right to steal" and "the right to murder", the concepts of capitalism have been implemented in too extreme a fashion.

I couldn't agree with you more, and I'm not a fan of Anarchy or even Anarcho-capitalism, the Laissez-Faire variant as detailed by Rand among others will suffice :)
But I have to say that I've tried to answer the issues Nationstates has thrown at me truthfully, but seemed to get to Anarchy anyways :confused:
Mad King Ivan
31-12-2004, 00:57
I'm currently Inoffensive Centrist Democracy, though I was classified a Capitalist Paradise a day ago. Count me in as one.
Dogburg
31-12-2004, 00:58
The nationstates nation rating system isn't some omniscient crystal ball or anything. It's a rough guide. I expect that with time, your nation will teeter towards "capitalizt" and "capitalist paradise". If not, well, your views just represent the borderline between L.F.C and complete anarchy.
Paxania
31-12-2004, 06:17
I believe in something I’ve coined as "unlimited" capitalism. Free trade, no tariffs, no government control of business, very little taxes and only on products you buy.

The ideal you've "coined" is laissez-faire capitalism.
Laissez-faire meaning to "leave-it-to-do", with reference to the economy and society.

To me, a free capitalist market has its own checks and balances so that a corporate police state doesn't occur. That is, without workers that get paid an adequate amount, there can be no wealth within the society. If the income gap is too big, the poor can't buy anything, the economy crashes, and there will be a re-distribution of wealth as businesses create incentives to stay afloat.

This passage was unclear to me? Are you suggesting intervention to prevent such a crash from occuring? (That philosophy would be socialism, not L.F Capitalism)

I and other capitalists would propose that such corporate monopolies are ironed out as soon as a competitor provides a similar service which is significantly better in quality or price than the current holder of the market (the one who has the monopoly). The only time a monopoly can improperly occur is via intervention from government, either subsidizing one provider or restricting another.

What CP means is that wages won't plummet to the bottom in a totally free market, because this would leave workers unable to buy things, causing the economy to fail. He's saying that there will be fairness in income distribution under capitalism.

Another Laissez-Faire Capitalist here. A European one even! :o

Where are you? Switzerland? Austria? Italy? Tell me!
Peopleandstuff
31-12-2004, 07:28
I believe in something I’ve coined as "unlimited" capitalism. Free trade, no tariffs, no government control of business, very little taxes and only on products you buy.
Ok, but I'm surprised you decided to coin your own phrase....

To me, a free capitalist market has its own checks and balances so that a corporate police state doesn't occur.
Really, by happenstance a bunch of interactions with a common trait (trade for goods, services or cash) occuring simultaneously in an indescribably diverse varied and constantly changing tableu, and primarily driven by a huge group of everchanging, diverse organisms and collectives, just happens despite the varied and everchanging nature of the factors involved, to work out in such a way, that it is always self regulating in such a manner that by a momumental and happy coincidence just happens to be beneficial to human socities even though such societies are varied, diverse and fluid (ie constantly changing)....

Wow what a lucky break for us humans heh! A fairytale ending, or just a fairytale...sounds like the latter to me...


That is, without workers that get paid an adequate amount, there can be no wealth within the society.
Empiracal historical evidence suggests otherwise.

If the income gap is too big, the poor can't buy anything, the economy crashes, and there will be a re-distribution of wealth as businesses create incentives to stay afloat.
'Re-distribution of wealth', nice tidy words that make the reality of families loosing their homes, their businesses, the family farm, their way of life, of elderly people loosing everything they worked towards as they enter retirement, of parents and prospective parents suddenly finding they cannot support their family, and hard worked for dreams being destroyed, sound like a nice tidy process that doesnt undermine the fabric of society, destroying individuals and families, whilst risking catastrophic consequences....

Unfortunately whatever sort of jargon you employ, the reality remains the reality...

I really dont understand this whole 'market will magically balance itself out as per the needs of human socities well-being' ideology. In the first place, the kind of thing you are claiming (free markets being 'self checking' in a way that makes them benefical to humans and human societies) is so far-fetched, that without a particularly convincing argument, it defies belief. Secondly the 'solution' to the flaw you identified is no solution at all, in fact it is the extreme manifestation of the flaw you claim it corrects.

To be honest I really dont understand what the motivation behind such thinking is, or what motivation you (and the many others who offer posit such philosophies) imagine is being offered to those you are trying to convince. Your explanation for instance appears to ignore what I would see as being the whole point of any societal institution (such as 'markets'), ie the well being of humans and human societies...