The prescription to fix so much of what's wrong with this country is simple

[perkygrubb]

197. Great discussion....

WOW, first time login here and frankly, I'm impressed with the tenor of this conversation. Everyone has such a grasp on the issues. Ultimately, I agree with some responders that throwing out the whole system is the best bet. Western capitalism is on its last legs. That's what IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said back in 2009.

The challenge has been that there were no viable solutions/alternatives to Western capitalism powerful enough to dislodge capitalism's grip on America (or the world for that matter).

I think the most important thing to do has nothing do to with raising taxes and cutting spending. Nor is attacking corruption in politics. That's status quo. Instead of fighting the status quo, Americans need to create a new one. That starts with redefining how money works so you limit money's ability to do evil things with it (like buy elections).

The next thing is to reorganize the free market. Instead of trading physical commodities for profit and creating financial spreads on prices as a way to generate wealth, have the free market trade benefit defined as "the degree to which ones actions positively benefit others."

These two things can create a new future for America that doesn't have the challenges everyone here so clearly grasps and it sets America up for a level of prosperity unprecedented in the history of mankind.