General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Capitalism is NOT a dirty word. [View all]Laelth
(32,017 posts)But, I think you mis-understand the purpose of my post. I think it makes us look dumb, stupid, and naive to attack capitalism itself (as a thread I saw earlier today did). We are capitalists. We just want a just, humane, and sane capitalism that distributes the nation's wealth more fairly. In my mind, that's what it means to be a liberal.
It appears our disagreement is semantic, and it is, in part, but I think we lose ground when we attack capitalism. It's too easy to marginalize what we have to say when we attack capitalism. Well-regulated capitalism made the United States the wealthiest and most powerful nation on Earth. No wonder people roll their eyes when those of us on the left attack capitalism.
I would add that the United States is and always has been an oligarchy. We had better learn to live with that. At the same time, I will continue to fight to make ours a liberal oligarchy that takes good care of its people.
More here: http://laelth.blogspot.com/2011/01/turning-american-ship-of-state.html
-Laelth