General Discussion

MichaelMcGuire

(1,684 posts) Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:31 PM Jan 2013

Only A True Capitalist Could Tolerate Mass Starvation In Order To Sustain His Capitalist Conviction

One banker drew the line at which he could no longer maintain his capitalist convictions at mass starvation. Another said he wouldn't intervene even if there were millions of people starving.
His reasoning: "Nothing, absolutely nothing, should interfere with the laws of the free market.”
The story comes from a conversation that was recounted in an article in the Tribune, and it brings up an interesting question.
The story:
[My banker friend admitted] exactly what level of deprivation and misery he was willing to tolerate in order to sustain his capitalist convictions. Mass starvation was over the limit. “Of course, if there’s a famine, one must intervene”, he conceded. “You can’t just leave people to starve.”
His British businessman friend, however, was intransigent. “Look, you want to give away your own money to stop people starving? That’s commendable – just so long as it’s your own choice and your personal cash”, he replied.
The author of the article writes that the businessman who answered, "nothing should interfere with the free market" is the only true capitalist he's ever known.
Anyone else feeling a weird mix of pride of disgust for that man?

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/true-capitalist-starvation-2011-2#ixzz2HDnWkEZH

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Only A True Capitalist Could Tolerate Mass Starvation In Order To Sustain His Capitalist Conviction (Original Post) MichaelMcGuire Jan 2013 OP

Nope, just disgust. nt Live and Learn Jan 2013 #1

where's the pride in being disgusting? n/t oldhippydude Jan 2013 #4

Pure sociopathic thinking. MrScorpio Jan 2013 #2

No. I just feel disgust. appleannie1 Jan 2013 #3

Digust? yes. Pride? No. Respect? If he ever starves to death from refusing public help NoGOPZone Jan 2013 #5

His 'convictions' on starvation are just weasel words he uses that only apply if he's not starving. freshwest Jan 2013 #6

Live and Learn

(12,769 posts)

1. Nope, just disgust. nt

Reply to MichaelMcGuire (Original post)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:35 PM

Jan 2013

oldhippydude

(2,514 posts)

4. where's the pride in being disgusting? n/t

Reply to Live and Learn (Reply #1)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:42 PM

Jan 2013

MrScorpio

(73,778 posts)

2. Pure sociopathic thinking.

Reply to MichaelMcGuire (Original post)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:35 PM

Jan 2013

These guys would make great serial killers.

appleannie1

(5,478 posts)

3. No. I just feel disgust.

Reply to MichaelMcGuire (Original post)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:41 PM

Jan 2013

NoGOPZone

(2,971 posts)

5. Digust? yes. Pride? No. Respect? If he ever starves to death from refusing public help

Reply to MichaelMcGuire (Original post)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:47 PM

Jan 2013

I'll acknowledge him as a person of conviction. That's never going to happen for a couple of reasons.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)

6. His 'convictions' on starvation are just weasel words he uses that only apply if he's not starving.

Reply to MichaelMcGuire (Original post)

Sun Jan 6, 2013, 02:47 PM

Jan 2013

Meanwhile, he profits off nature and the people he brought to starvation. accepting no responsibility for his own actions, ever.

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.