move in the exact opposite direction of what you claim possible. On the one hand you say Capitalism is in its final hour and with the other you are talking about regulating something that is in it's final hour. Nice cognitive dissonance there Nadin.
What we are "hoping for" and what is objective material reality are two entirely different things. What you are asking for is not possible as long as Capital dominates every economic, social, and political relation.
Some time ago there was an article at Common Dreams. One of the many in recent years that continues the nostalgia for the "American Dream" and "prosperity for all" once found and "now lost." The very solutions you claim are possible while the capitalist power structure remains in place. This was the response to the author of the piece.
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2010/07/22/restoring-vibrant-middle-class-america
"Restoring a Vibrant Middle Class in America"
By Brian Miller
(The writers conclusion and "solution"
"Even in a game – like Monopoly – we can see the need for rules to
ensure that opportunity continually circulates throughout our economy
to create a broadly shared prosperity for all, not just a select few.
Preserving a strong estate tax is essential to ensuring that each
subsequent generation has a chance to achieve the American dream.
Without it, we have to ask ourselves, is the game hopelessly stacked?
Should we even bother playing?"
The response from an acquaintance with permission to use.
Mr. Miller is so confused by what he sees in life that he misses the
exquisite irony in his own analogy. Consider the game of Monopoly.
Through ruthless competition, and a bit of luck, six players are reduced
to one. The reduction is a constant: it always happens because that IS
the game. Properties are bought and sold, houses are built and
destroyed, hotels erected, competitors bankrupted... there is no hint of
unemployment or malnutrition or disease or war because it is only a
game; yet its operative pathos - to triumph at financial competition and
destroy your enemies without regard to any other factors, which in fact
, remain largely invisible - that is probably much closer to reality
than any description of the current "system" that Mr. Miller might pen.
The game is an abstraction that captures a mighty truth.
Now, Mr. Miller, consider a gigantic pyramid of monopoly games, with
each level being a continuance of that which came before it. Each
beginning at that level is based on the accumulation that occurred at
the end of the preceding level. Each level restarts the ruthless
concentration and competition with the proceeds of the last.
Starting with perhaps ten million small producers, this game winnows out
the many until only a few thousand are left. The Losers are rendered
invisible... as invisible as the make-believe maids who make up the
make-believe beds in the hotels of monopoly. Should any come late to the
game, they are gone before they start: entirely unable to make up the
difference.
And, this game never ends...
Now, gazing on this new "game", Mr. Miller is outraged. "This is not
fair", he cries, "the game is hopelessly stacked". Actually, a single
game of monopoly is "hopelessly" stacked within a few turns. This
pyramid game has been stacked for over a hundred years. Mr. Miller is
actually protesting that he was not asked to play the game in the 1870s,
with the great railroad boom... or perhaps during the Civil War when
the first real fortunes were made...
You have over one hundred years of Monopoly games to retrace, Mr.
Miller, if it is "fairness" that you are after. And, even if that were
possible, it would disappear again within hours or days.
Well then (hands on hips), "Should we even bother playing?"
No one is asking you, Mr. Miller. You will play or you will starve. You
have already lost the game of Monopoly, Mr. Miller... or your parents
did... or their parents... makes little difference. Now, you will play
Employee of Monopoly, Mr. Miller... and, if you lose that, you will play
Wanna-be Employee of Monopoly before moving on to Dumpster-Diver. And
this will happen to you Mister Miller, regardless of your sense of
"fairness".
Because, though it might now seem like you have entered the Twilight Zone, you have actually entered reality.
Welcome to "Freedom", Mr. Miller.
Your posts and "vision" are those of a Mr.Miller Nadin...
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