Comments on: Opinion: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism and the Free Market

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:04:31 +0000

Good article and I agree with most of what you say. However, much of the problems regarding the “crazy mortgages” given to Americans who couldn’t afford them was because the government put rules (oversight) in place that required banks to loan more to high risk individuals and communities if the banks wanted to grow. Those regulations started under Clinton, but continued through to Bush as well. Why were these regulations put in place?- short term political paybacks and votes.

Some oversight is required and good to keep too much power from Monopolies, but the same power is usually bad in the hands of big government as well, who make decisions often for their own benefit vs. the benefit of average citizens. Additionally, many politicians (of both parties) make short-term decisions to get re-elected, despite long-term consequences to our country.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:47:15 +0000

I think lots of people forget that most of the “bailouts” in the past year were done during the Bush administration. The only bailout performed by the Obama administration was the auto industry. The last time this happened was the bailout of Chrysler during the Reagan era, and we taxpayers made money on that one.

One more comment – What beliefs are they afraid of? In addition – isn’t being progressive a good thing? Another question I have is your “Czar” comment. Which Czars are we talking about and what policies are so frightening?

By: Glen Adams

Glen Adams — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:49:31 +0000

Great read. You always know how to put things in to perspective. Pointing out the differences between capitalism, socialism, communism etc. will hopefully clear things up for some people. I do feel that too much government “ownership” is a bad thing, especially when the companies they are helping out are being advised by “Czars” that really don’t seem to know all that much about the industry they are advising on. This country was built on people taking chances, and trying to better themselves. Sharing the wealth will only lead to a more lackadaisical attitude. There will be no desire to better oneself if we all make the same wage.

Getting back to the capitalist v. socialist argument, I think it is more of the beliefs of people in the administration that more people are afraid of, at least in terms of becoming a socialistic state. The progressive thinking by some of these advisers is a bit unnerving.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:31:59 +0000

I’m not sure what would have happened if GM failed, and not sure I don’t agree with you about that. I did applaud the Bush’s bailout of the banking system last summer, though. Without it, the global financial markets would have collapsed and we would be in a far worse position that we are now.