Socialism: Because People Matter More Than Profits

self | April 9, 2016 | self

[loveliberty2]

"Socialism attempts to vanquish nature by a front attack. Individualism, on the contrary, is the recognition, in social politics, that nature has a beneficent as well as a malignant side. The struggle for life provides for the various wants of the human race, in somewhat the same way as the climatic struggle of the elements provides for vegetable and animal life—imperfectly, that is, and in a manner strongly marked by inequalities and anomalies. By taking advantage of prevalent tendencies, it is possible to mitigate these anomalies and inequalities, but all experience shows that it is impossible to do away with them. All history, moreover, is the record of the triumph of Individualism over something which was virtually Socialism or Collectivism, though not called by that name. In early days, and even at this day under archaic civilisations, the note of social life is the absence of freedom. But under every progressive civilisation, freedom has made decisive strides—broadened down, as the poet says, from precedent to precedent. And it has been rightly and naturally so.
I.46
"Freedom is the most valuable of all human possessions, next after life itself. It is more valuable, in a manner, than even health. No human agency can secure health; but good laws, justly administered, can and do secure freedom. Freedom, indeed, is almost the only thing that law can secure. Law cannot secure equality, nor can it secure prosperity. In the direction of equality, all that law can do is to secure fair play, which is equality of rights but is not equality of conditions. In the direction of prosperity, all that law can do is to keep the road open. That is the Quintessence of Individualism, and it may fairly challenge comparison with that Quintessence of Socialism we have been discussing. Socialism, disguise it how we may, is the negation of Freedom. That it is so, and that it is also a scheme not capable of producing even material comfort in exchange for the abnegations of Freedom, I think the foregoing considerations amply prove." EDWARD STANLEY ROBERTSON

See the Liberty Fund Library "A Plea for Liberty: An Argument Against Socialism and Socialistic Legislation," edited by Thomas Mackay (1849 - 1912), Chapter 1.

[central_va]

But if you hold Marx dearly

It is you who is the Marxist tool and not me comrade rudeness.

[mjp]

Socialism: Because People Matter More Than Profits

The profit motive, speaking broadly, means a man's incentive to work in order to gain something for himself. In a rational society it is profoundly moral and thoroughly just. In a specialized business context, profit is defined as the difference between sales revenues and cost. It is payment earned by moral virtue, the virtue of a specific group within an economy, the prime movers. It is payment for the thought, the imitative ,the long range vision, the courage, the efficacy of business owners.

Profit is exploitation only in a mystic viewpoint of emotionalists.

[DiogenesLamp]

The only antidote to this nonsense is to point out how suppressing the free market is what hurts people. Crony capitalism is what hurts people.

Adam Smith, (remember him? "Wealth of Nations") said about 250 years ago that:

“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.”

When they use their clout to affect government policy, there you have "Crony Capitalism."

But as far as your suggestion being an "antidote", I will point out one obvious flaw in it. The public has become stupid, and you might as well be talking to pigeons for all the good it will do in attempting to inform the public regarding what is to them, a very abstract concept.

Put the idea into a simple cartoon that is both interesting and entertaining, and you might get somewhere with it.

[Rusty0604]

Socialism is a stop on the road to communism.

[98ZJ USMC]

Problem is these people have to listen. And think. A tall order for a lefty.

Therein, lies the problem. They will not listen. A hard, long, "up close and personal" head smacking is required and that is what the (D)Marxists desperately try to postpone as long as possible so that the useful idiots don't stray before it's inevitable.

[dfwgator]

Guess that explains why Communists killed over 100 million people.

[exDemMom]

Venezuela is communism not socialism. I am teasing you but these people will actually argue there is a difference. There actually is but it is slight. the end result is largely the same.

Communism is what happens when socialism reaches its final stage of development.

It is like a cancer. A cancer starts off as a few abnormal cells, which form a dysplasia. A dysplasia is not a cancer, but if it is left to develop unchecked, it will eventually become cancer and become malignant. Socialism, like dysplasia, needs to be nipped in the bud in order to prevent the malignant end state.

[1rudeboy]

Yes, I’ve read Marx. That makes one of us, you Marx-blitherer.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I’d be willing to bet your number is low.

[blueunicorn6]

Socialism/communism might work for robots, but not for human beings.

Humans have “feelings” and that always screws everything up.

“Dear Leader” always starts thinking that he needs more because he works more.

That throws socialism right out the window.

Bernie Sanders talks socialism, but he’s a liar. He just talks it to make himself some money.

Most “socialists/communists” are phonies who spout that nonsense in the hopes that they can make some real money off it.

[MichaelCorleone]

“But as far as your suggestion being an “antidote”, I will point out one obvious flaw in it.”

You’re right.

I guess I lost perspective there.

[Vision]

Socialism: Because laziness and entitlement are easier than striving and producing.

[exDemMom]

The unemployment rate among young adults is outrageous. A significant minority of people below the age of 35 still live with their parents. Thanks to the socialist-in-chief, they do not know a good economy—and thus, they are primed to listen to the lies of socialism. Because, for them, capitalism does not work.

Without profits, people don’t work. When people don’t work, they don’t grow the food you get to eat while living in your parent’s basement. Nor do they make the computers/tablets/smartphones/etc., that you play with all day in your parents’ basement. They also don’t make the clothes you wear, the desk that holds your computer, and the house that shelters the basement that you live in. In fact, without profit, your parents couldn’t afford to let you live in their basement in the first place, and you would have to get a job. And then maybe you would see the value of capitalism.

[joshua c]

Socialism because everyone is entitled to be miserable

[Twotone]

We MUST confront these people. We have not stood up & told the truth & consequently we are now being destroyed by people incapable of rational thought.

You may or may not like Glenn Beck, but he’s been doing some excellent short video pieces, including a series on Milton Friedman. Excellent quick talking points to use against leftists.

[DiogenesLamp]

You’re right.

I guess I lost perspective there.

We have truly become "Idiocracy."

[Nifster]

Do you wish to be arrested?

If no then do not confront

Do you wish to talk to a box of rocks?

Then confront and be ready for
Number one

[Mr. Jeeves]

No Profits = No Food = No People. :)

[fruser1]

Socialism: Because it’s easier to steal than to work.

Socialism: Because communism has a bad rap.

Socialism: Because I trust government with absolute power.

Socialism: Because bad people only exist in the business world.

Socialism: Because the government has no one but saints in it.

Socialism: Because separate of church and state is bad but separation of economy and state is not.

The above should obviously be taken as sarcastic.

The TRUTH is:

Socialism: Because politicians gain power by catering to your envy.

Socialism: Because government will use all your money for their own purposes and toss you the scraps.

Socialism: Because government wants to control every aspect of your life.