Does capitalism promote wasted human energy?

[stinkcat_14]

Play semantics all you want.

Oh, and substitute “legitimate authority” for government if you must.

I did not say legitimate authority either, you are the one who is bringing the whole issue of government up. I never actually brought it up. I am not even sure how government or legitimate authority is relevant to the topic?

All I said, is that convincing people to pay more for something that is exactly the same as the cheaper variety is wasteful. It would not be wasteful if there is a substantial difference to merit a higher price. Nor did I say anything should be done about the waste, if people want to be stupid, that is their business. It is no skin off my nose.

 

[Mark121359]

I do not mind capitalism at all provided those blessed with financial success are of high moral character.

What in the…What kind of comments are these? Are they American? Who in the heck gets to decide who is of “high moral character”? I don’t know what to say! I’m literally struck speechless!..Timothysis…carry-on…you’re doing a fine job of combating this socialist nonsense!

Peace, Mark

 

[Timothysis]

What in the…What kind of comments are these? Who in the heck gets to decide who is of “high moral character”? I don’t know what to say! I’m literally struck speechless!

But Mark, don’t you understand that as Catholics, we have a right to judge others and decide their place in society? We have an ordained supremeness because God is on our side!

 

[Timothysis]

if people want to be stupid, that is their business. It is no skin off my nose.

I think the same when I re-read some of the posts on this thread.

 

[Timothysis]

All I said, is that convincing people to pay more for something that is exactly the same as the cheaper variety is wasteful.

When was the last time that you went to the store and there was a Bayer representative trying to convince anyone to buy their product over a no name? YOU may think it wasteful but others may prefer sticking with a brand name. Your opinion does not make fact nor does it define terms.

If you shop anywhere other than a Dollar Tree, then you are being wasteful, huh?

 

[Mark121359]

But Mark, don’t you understand that as Catholics, we have a right to judge others and decide their place in society? We have an ordained supremeness because God is on our side!

Never even gave it a thought…but now that you mentioned it…no wonder that person at work said to me…“you must be Catholic!!!”

Peace, Mark

 

[stinkcat_14]

When was the last time that you went to the store and there was a Bayer representative trying to convince anyone to buy their product over a no name? YOU may think it wasteful but others may prefer sticking with a brand name. Your opinion does not make fact nor does it define terms.

So tell me, what is the difference between Bayer aspirin and the generic version? Other than the fact that Bayer spent a lot of money trying to imply that there is a difference? Is there a physical difference between the two? Do they have different active ingredients? What is the difference, since you claim there is one.

If you shop anywhere other than a Dollar Tree, then you are being wasteful, huh?

I think you need to learn a little about economics in order for us to have a fruitful discussion. What we mean when we compare two items is whether or not there is a difference, at the margin. Ok, so it is not wasteful to buy a cadillac over a chevy, because the cadillac has features that the chevy doesn’t. So different prices, at the margin doesn’t indicate waste. But different prices, when two products are exactly the same, indicates waste.

 

[stinkcat_14]

But Mark, don’t you understand that as Catholics, we have a right to judge others and decide their place in society? We have an ordained supremeness because God is on our side!

Who is deciding whose place in society? Are you saying that it is not desirable to have a society where virtue is rewarded and vice is not rewarded? For example, in our current society, I could move all my funds offshore, claim I have no assets and go on welfare. Should people in society have a right to look down on me if I engage in that type of behavior? Or is that being judgemental?

 

[7_Sorrows]

After working retail for 2 1/2 years I definitely wasted a lot of energy!

It was a benefit to my employer because I feel the company got more from me than I got from them salary wise!

 

[Robert_Sock]

What in the…What kind of comments are these? Are they American? Who in the heck gets to decide who is of “high moral character”? I don’t know what to say! I’m literally struck speechless!..Timothysis…carry-on…you’re doing a fine job of combating this socialist nonsense!

Peace, Mark

So, tell me, can our world survive if those with the power of financial wealth were of very poor moral character? Does God permit it?

LOVE!

 

[Timothysis]

So, tell me, can our world survive if those with the power of financial wealth were of very poor moral character? Does God permit it?

Seeing that God has permitted everything from man’s first disobedience to the abomination of legalized abortion, I think your question of God allowing people of poor moral character the prize of financial wealth and success to be a silly one.

 

[Mark121359]

So, tell me, can our world survive if those with the power of financial wealth were of very poor moral character? Does God permit it?

LOVE!

If our world doesn’t survive, it won’t be because of capitalism. So you tell me Robert, who gets to decide that those blessed with financial success are of high moral character? And to your last query; God permits us dumb humans to do anything…including the taking of innocent life.

Peace, Mark

 

[stinkcat_14]

If our world doesn’t survive, it won’t be because of capitalism.

Part of the problem is that we really don’t practice capitalism in this country. It is more of a crony capitalism variety.

So you tell me Robert, who gets to decide that those blessed with financial success are of high moral character? And to your last query; God permits us dumb humans to do anything…including the taking of innocent life.

Peace, Mark

In a competitive market, should not people be free to choose who they do business with? If I know someone is living in sin, would it not be my right to choose not to do business with that person? While God permits us to do bad things, it doesn’t follow that we need to confirm people in their sin. Nor do we necessarily need the big hand of government getting involved. Although in some cases, like the case of Bernie Madeoff some government intervention might be wise.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Seeing that God has permitted everything from man’s first disobedience to the abomination of legalized abortion, I think your question of God allowing people of poor moral character the prize of financial wealth and success to be a silly one.

Is it justice to allow, for example, a greedy business owner to abuse his employees due to his poor moral character? Again, the world could not sustain itself if all financially wealthy individuals were of such character.

God does indeed allow evil, but I doubt that He condones it. The wrath of God is real, and sooner or later sinners will suffer.

If it was up to you, would you consider it justice to allow an ‘evil’ person to have such power and control over people?

LOVE!

 

[Mark121359]

In a competitive market, should not people be free to choose who they do business with? If I know someone is living in sin, would it not be my right to choose not to do business with that person? While God permits us to do bad things, it doesn’t follow that we need to confirm people in their sin. Nor do we necessarily need the big hand of government getting involved. Although in some cases, like the case of Bernie Madeoff some government intervention might be wise.

I was responding to this precise quote;

I do not mind capitalism at all provided those blessed with financial success are of high moral character.

Now I don’t know about you, but If I heard someone in government make that statement, I’d be thinking something along the lines of…*Oh boy, here we go! * What are they up to now?

If it was up to you, would you consider it justice to allow an ‘evil’ person to have such power and control over people?

Oh I don’t know Robert. I’m having enough trouble digesting the fact that government has
such power and control over people!

Peace, Mark

 

[stinkcat_14]

I was responding to this precise quote;

Now I don’t know about you, but If I heard someone in government make that statement, I’d be thinking something along the lines of…*Oh boy, here we go! * What are they up to now?

Nobody here, however, has brought up the government. I agree that we need to watch what the government does very carefully, but that does not negate the fact that people in business are often not of the highest moral character.

Consider the recent news about the Joseph A Bank merger. It appears the CEO has a corporate jet that he essentially used for commuting. Now, while one can argue whether that is a good business decision or not, the one thing that everyone can agree on is that if a CEO does something like this the shareholders who are his boss deserve to know about it. Such behavior is not desirable and if an efficient way of curtailing it could be found that would reduce the waste in our somewhat capitalistic economy.

bizjournals.com/baltimore/blog/morning-edition/2014/05/how-jos-a-bank-avoids-mention-of-corporate-jet-in.html

 

[Mark121359]

Such behavior is not desirable and if an efficient way of curtailing it could be found that would reduce the waste in our somewhat capitalistic economy.

And what efficient way do you propose, and who will be responsible for enforcing it?

Peace, Mark

 

[stinkcat_14]

And what efficient way do you propose, and who will be responsible for enforcing it?

Peace, Mark

Probably better disclosure laws, because if the shareholders knew this kind of behavior was going on they can mount the pressure to discipline (or fire) the CEO who engages in it.

 

[Mark121359]

Probably better disclosure laws, because if the shareholders knew this kind of behavior was going on they can mount the pressure to discipline (or fire) the CEO who engages in it.

Ah,…more laws, i.e. government involvement…as I said…here we go!

Peace, Mark

 

[stinkcat_14]

Ah,…more laws, i.e. government involvement…as I said…here we go!

Peace, Mark

Disclosure is a bad thing?