General Discussion

salib

(2,116 posts)

27. Are you kidding?

Fri May 22, 2015, 09:35 PM

May 2015

Yes, I have been an "owner".

It was my money that made payroll, that allowed for investment, that controlled everything in the company.

And yes, I worked hard. So did all those i "owned."

How did I own them? All fifteen of them?

I owned their labor. Why did I have a business? Why did i invest, i.e. Put my money on the line? Well, first because I had it and could make more.

How did I make more? Because, while I worked hard and they worked hard, I made money off of their work, they did not make money off of my work. I had money to begin with. They did not, or at least not enough to risk like that.

So, I get to make money off of their work, all because I already have some and they do not.

Is that really so noble?

I certainly did it. Because that is the way the system is set up.

There are most definitely better ways.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

179 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What is your problem with socialism? [View all] RobertEarl May 2015 OP

My problem with socialism is that we don't have enough of it. We should socialize the banks and craigmatic May 2015 #1

Socialize them and then sell them off? el_bryanto May 2015 #7

Socialize the banks & let the Gov't run them in the interest of the public, you mean. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #59

I have no fear of it. hrmjustin May 2015 #2

I got nuthin' Vattel May 2015 #3

Americans have no idea what democratic socialism even is. hifiguy May 2015 #4

The racial tensions behind Sweden�s idyllic facade FrodosPet May 2015 #21

Thank you. YoungDemCA May 2015 #23

The Scandinavian countries certainly have their problems with their ethnic minorities. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #60

You can find a lot of racists in very conservative states in the US. JDPriestly May 2015 #88

They are, however, awfully "politically incorrect" in their speech. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #144

I am sure that exists in any society were there are different races. We see it here. And the point jwirr May 2015 #61

I was going to say that for years it was equated with the USSR and we were taught to fear them. jwirr May 2015 #55

They are not socialist states. former9thward May 2015 #179

It's about personalities... Cooley Hurd May 2015 #5

If I work hard and make a profit it should be my profit and not divided. Thinkingabout May 2015 #6

You are against taxes? RobertEarl May 2015 #8

Or what if cprompt May 2015 #58

The money quote: PETRUS May 2015 #66

The European countries have Democratic Socialism not communism. What that means is that they jwirr May 2015 #68

heh RobertEarl May 2015 #89

I'll go thru your points one by one Exilednight May 2015 #110

I suppose you worked your way through school too. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #147

What if you steal hard, or evade hard, or hedge hard ??? orpupilofnature57 May 2015 #9

Most small business owners do not steal, evade their taxes or have hedge funds. leftofcool May 2015 #26

And so there must be no problem..... daleanime May 2015 #56

Not with small Businesses leftofcool May 2015 #105

I was thinking Monsanto, Halliburton, that cottage industry orpupilofnature57 May 2015 #109

And the problem with Big businesses? daleanime May 2015 #111

Do you know the definition of "small business". 99.7% of all businesses are Exilednight May 2015 #112

Many of them DO steal, often from their employees. Jackpine Radical May 2015 #148

You're obviously confused. PETRUS May 2015 #15

Have you ever been an owner? Probably not since you think only the workers works. Thinkingabout May 2015 #17

My situation doesn't matter, since we're talking definitions. PETRUS May 2015 #20

Just a subtle clarification salib May 2015 #30

Thanks. PETRUS May 2015 #37

Marxist economist here: one need not 'trade' to make a profit in any given fiscal year. One need KingCharlemagne May 2015 #95

Good point salib May 2015 #118

"Marxist economist here" Nuclear Unicorn May 2015 #120

Well, as a matter of fact, it's an avocation, not a vocation. But KingCharlemagne May 2015 #124

Seems to me I remember a goodly number of Marxist Jackpine Radical May 2015 #150

but doesn't a laborer trade his talents and time for money DeadEyeDyck May 2015 #154

I don't have a problem with capitalism, i also do not have a problem with retaining my profits. Thinkingabout May 2015 #31

The rationale you offered doesn't support your position, though. PETRUS May 2015 #39

I think I understand where you are coming from. upaloopa May 2015 #40

Are you kidding? salib May 2015 #27

Perhaps there are better ways, some only wants a paycheck and not the headache. Thinkingabout May 2015 #33

A self righteous headache. It is the best kind. salib May 2015 #35

Explotation also would exist in a total socialism state, don't try to exclude those who only Thinkingabout May 2015 #36

Just like politicians, no economic system is going to be what Exilednight May 2015 #113

Where are the facts where the break down of the 51%? Thinkingabout May 2015 #126

I used 51% as an arbitrary number, but here's a fact Exilednight May 2015 #130

"There are most definitely better ways." PowerToThePeople May 2015 #50

I have two employees-1099s DeadEyeDyck May 2015 #156

The owner provides capital. The worker provides labor. This is really simple stuff. DisgustipatedinCA May 2015 #81

The owners don't provide capital, banks do. Owners of business borrow and the only Exilednight May 2015 #114

I never have cali May 2015 #103

You evade taxes? Starry Messenger May 2015 #19

No, i pay my taxes, I vote and I go to jury duty. I like being a participating citizen. I do not Thinkingabout May 2015 #34

Then your response to the OP makes no sense. Starry Messenger May 2015 #45

WTH? Thinkingabout May 2015 #46

Taxes are on profits. Starry Messenger May 2015 #70

Been there done that. Check with them, they can explain it to you. Check to see if the profit the Thinkingabout May 2015 #77

No sweetie. Starry Messenger May 2015 #91

^wicked smart. Maybe the person your responding to needs to ThinkAboutIt. Exilednight May 2015 #115

The propaganda runs deep in the U.S. Starry Messenger May 2015 #145

Perhaps you have not heard about corporate taxes. Thinkingabout May 2015 #161

Err... did you not read the post? Or are the details of the topic too complex for you to follow? Starry Messenger May 2015 #166

Since you do not know who you are talking to I will forgive your post. Thinkingabout May 2015 #167

I'm talking to someone who can't be bothered to read, evidently. Starry Messenger May 2015 #168

Personal and private property are not the same thing. NuclearDem May 2015 #41

Hell is being raised about what the government does and some are wanting the government in control? Thinkingabout May 2015 #42

Again, stupid RW meme is stupid. NuclearDem May 2015 #43

If you read the definition of socialism, yes it is stupid. You can cherry pick and when I read posts Thinkingabout May 2015 #44

There is no one definition of socialism. NuclearDem May 2015 #48

How about you knock off the accusations, I am not RW. You do not win on make Thinkingabout May 2015 #49

Could've fooled me. NuclearDem May 2015 #51

Now you are calling others leeches. Thinkingabout May 2015 #52

Reading comprehension helps. NuclearDem May 2015 #54

Did you post this: Thinkingabout May 2015 #78

That's not what the poster implied, you inferred that others in society are leeches. n/t Exilednight May 2015 #116

There we go! A correct answer! NuclearDem May 2015 #123

I did not imply that either, in this run name calling is happening. Where is the need to name call? Thinkingabout May 2015 #125

Yes you did, and this is where you did it using Exilednight May 2015 #127

I NEVER did the name calling, that is on someone else, a RW tactic. Thinkingabout May 2015 #128

Put your dog whistle down. It's only name calling if Exilednight May 2015 #131

Since I never said I do not believe in "handouts" you are targeting the wrong poster. Thinkingabout May 2015 #146

It's exactly what you said. Exilednight May 2015 #149

BYE Thinkingabout May 2015 #151

Enjoy wherever you're going. I'll be here at DU. Exilednight May 2015 #153

So you are against Social Security AgingAmerican May 2015 #160

It is thinking like your post which makes socialism bad, too much of give me, give me, give me. Thinkingabout May 2015 #163

So you are against all those things AgingAmerican May 2015 #164

Here is another problem, some thinks they know I should have said for their wants. Thinkingabout May 2015 #165

You are pushing Mitt Romneys 'takers vs makers' meme. AgingAmerican May 2015 #169

Hummm, since you seem to study Mitt, you still fail in rewriting my post, not even a good try. Thinkingabout May 2015 #170

Apparently you missed the last election AgingAmerican May 2015 #171

It is really hard on you, false accusations is not a winning suit for you. Thinkingabout May 2015 #172

been smelling this one for a while now. PowerToThePeople May 2015 #65

Day f-ing one. nt DisgustipatedinCA May 2015 #84

Yup. truebluegreen May 2015 #139

Education is and always has been an investment. In the future and in our country. Yes we older jwirr May 2015 #72

Just one point I'd like to make sammythecat May 2015 #140

I never said there are not people who work hard, since I have been employed before I know lazy mu Thinkingabout May 2015 #143

You are uninformed brush May 2015 #73

That was somebody else who brought up the tax evasion, maybe the accuser is evading taxes. Thinkingabout May 2015 #82

Guess you don't know college is free in . . . brush May 2015 #85

Selfish, this is what you can call the college students who gets their degree and think they should Thinkingabout May 2015 #87

Is there a comprehension problem? brush May 2015 #92

This isn't Europe and I don't owe "your" kids an education. leftofcool May 2015 #106

Do you feel the same about universal healthcare? Violet_Crumble May 2015 #129

I was wondering the same thing. If they don't want to pay for my child's education, then should they Exilednight May 2015 #134

WTF? If you went to college, I'm probably still paying for your Exilednight May 2015 #133

Uh no! I worked my way through college working 3 jobs leftofcool May 2015 #135

Yes I am. Unless you went to a for profit diploma mill, your educatipn was partially Exilednight May 2015 #138

What's so hard to grasp about college for all brush May 2015 #141

So you do not believe in paying taxes? jwirr May 2015 #63

I hear Somalia is nice. But Galt's a Gulch might be closer for you. DisgustipatedinCA May 2015 #80

Only if you are a sole proprietorship. What gives you the right to-- eridani May 2015 #102

You sound like Rand Paul AgingAmerican May 2015 #159

Life would definitely be better if we were more like Denmark. Hoyt May 2015 #10

Yeah, it is about Bernie RobertEarl May 2015 #11

I'll definitely support him if he wins primary. eom Hoyt May 2015 #14

Exactly. And that is the point of the primaries. salib May 2015 #32

My problem with socialism? Simple: Lizzie Poppet May 2015 #12

Let's take a peek at the Socialist Hellhole we'd become under President Sanders 99th_Monkey May 2015 #13

That we, as socialists or near socialists, do not market ourselves very well. Half-Century Man May 2015 #16

That's the truth. procon May 2015 #24

That should be an OP RobertEarl May 2015 #97

One of a series of rants I have yet to post. Half-Century Man May 2015 #100

I think it's pretty clear that the traditional social-democratic Left is dead in Europe and the US YoungDemCA May 2015 #18

I think we just need to build upon our current system. JaneyVee May 2015 #22

You will have to discuss that with the 1% they have all the capital. And they seem to want to jwirr May 2015 #75

If it's regulated fairly, I have no problem with it. BlueJazz May 2015 #25

If you do not like socialism, you do not like: guillaumeb May 2015 #28

Good questions LWolf May 2015 #29

with a world of finite resources PowerToThePeople May 2015 #38

Not Interested BKH70041 May 2015 #47

And that is not Democratic Socialism. What hey have in Europe is and the economic basis for most jwirr May 2015 #76

It's a matter of the degree of socialism in a society brush May 2015 #83

Eh? RobertEarl May 2015 #93

That was the dictionary definition of socialism. BKH70041 May 2015 #122

Using public resources for the common good, is most certainly socialism. ronnie624 May 2015 #157

Who here is not better than someone else at what they do best? seveneyes May 2015 #53

So you think PowerToThePeople May 2015 #57

So, you think you can tell a smile from a veil? seveneyes May 2015 #67

=) PowerToThePeople May 2015 #69

Peace offering seveneyes May 2015 #71

Democratic Socialism works well in worker owned cooperative companies. We need more of these. Dont call me Shirley May 2015 #62

FDR used cooperatives to build many of his programs. Not to long ago the power company sent jwirr May 2015 #79

We need the incarnation of FDR Dont call me Shirley May 2015 #174

Oh I kind of think we have that choice today. Bernie. jwirr May 2015 #175

We sure do Dont call me Shirley May 2015 #178

Works for the military! MrMickeysMom May 2015 #64

Herbert Philbrick fadedrose May 2015 #74

It is instilled, brainwashed, into Americans from the cradle to the grave. Jamastiene May 2015 #86

Are you talking about democratic socialism? JDPriestly May 2015 #90

I made it clear in post 93 RobertEarl May 2015 #94

No, the US type of government isn't "democratic socialist" muriel_volestrangler May 2015 #155

I like the system we have now. Omnith May 2015 #96

lol! LuvNewcastle May 2015 #107

Nothing, concerning socialistic programs. But I'm afraid the word itself has lost value as a brand pnwmom May 2015 #98

Creeping fascism AgingAmerican May 2015 #99

The political party I vote for is a democratic socialist party... Violet_Crumble May 2015 #104

Tony Abbot AgingAmerican May 2015 #158

The word no longer means what it used to eridani May 2015 #101

the word is more poison to the voting public than the word liberal it is equal to communist dembotoz May 2015 #108

In its purest form, the government would own my car and I've already make all the payments on the lonestarnot May 2015 #117

My problem isn't necessarily socialism but, rather, what Americans have been conditioned to... wyldwolf May 2015 #119

What is my problem with socialism? 99Forever May 2015 #121

socialism infringes upon an Eli-Lilly registered trademark, Cialis� foo_bar May 2015 #132

Me, nothing. My coworker and neighbor, on the other hand. Scared to death of it. randys1 May 2015 #136

I have a problem with the re-branding of socialism. dawg May 2015 #137

Agreed brooklynite May 2015 #142

Theory vs. Practice HassleCat May 2015 #152

Well for the pretenders here, it helps equalize wealth distribution and that scares the crap out Rex May 2015 #162

Socialism works for some things and does not do a good job at others. A mixed market economy is applegrove May 2015 #173

American ignorance Matrosov May 2015 #176

A century and a half of anti-socialist propaganda Agnosticsherbet May 2015 #177