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el_bryanto

(11,804 posts)

23. I believe that humans have agency - even humans in much worse situations than

Wed Apr 17, 2013, 12:48 PM

Apr 2013

we find ourselves in America. People aren't just helpless victims. They can choose to do things that ameliorate their situation - and they should and they should be encouraged to do so. That's not to blame them or attack them. It's just saying that all things being equal you should try and work at the best job you can get, set a little money aside, don't take risks with your money, live within your means. All that kind of obvious stuff.

As for the first part of your e-mail I don't know how I can say this any clearer - I am a capitalist, but I favor a well regulated capitalism particularly when you are talking about the Money Grid that banks and investment houses provide - that needs to be much more strongly regulated than it is now and protections need to be put in place to protect against predatory banking practices.

Bryant

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Why 'financial literacy' is a bunch of hooey – and why the banks promote it [View all] unrepentant progress Apr 2013 OP

Indeed it is. They're trying to place a sales program into a universal curriculum. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #1

Didn't the right try to do this too with "economic literacy" programs in the 1980s and 1990s? unrepentant progress Apr 2013 #3

They sold that fantasy exactly the same way they sold the "Land of Opportunity" and Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #8

Absolute REC, and I'm buying this book. HughBeaumont Apr 2013 #2

I have mixed feelings about this article el_bryanto Apr 2013 #4

I agree. While the banks have come up with more and more scams... Phentex Apr 2013 #7

That's what I understand to be financial literacy and I think it is very important to teach it.. nessa Apr 2013 #12

As it is taught in our local high school... nessa Apr 2013 #5

Merely espousing common-sense platitudes ignores greater economic problems. HughBeaumont Apr 2013 #16

One financial landmine can set you back .... nessa Apr 2013 #22

Those are two different points. Financial literacy is NOT a bunch of hooey. Listening to talking still_one Apr 2013 #6

Knowing how to play three card Monte and understanding the trick doesn't make the game any Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #9

+1! unrepentant progress Apr 2013 #10

Interesting that you refer to 3-card Monte because it can be used as a diversion when a pickpocket AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #11

I had forgotten that part of many of the games. Thanks for pointing it out. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #25

The pact goes both ways, as you say. el_bryanto Apr 2013 #13

I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you write "contribute to the system". Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #14

Ok two things el_bryanto Apr 2013 #15

Take a look at the National Debt . . . HughBeaumont Apr 2013 #18

I think fixating on the debt is part of our current problem el_bryanto Apr 2013 #19

No, I don't think so. The banking/financial industry, and the families that own/control it, Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #21

I believe that humans have agency - even humans in much worse situations than el_bryanto Apr 2013 #23

You proclamation; "I am a capitalist" is in and of itself meaningless. Obviously you have some Egalitarian Thug Apr 2013 #24

I remember many years ago when I was in high school we had a guest speaker petronius Apr 2013 #17

K&R. We have been sucked dry... YoungDemCA Apr 2013 #20