Do you think it's a sign of a disgusting system when profit maximization triumphs human value?

[McNamara]

That's quite a loaded question.

Frankly, if my value is going to be judged, I'd prefer it to be for my productivity and not for how needy I am.

[xpatinasia]

It doesn't.

[Dallas]

No. And not only that, because of maximizing profits .. Bill Gates said the following:

"Bill Gates Sees Almost No Poor Countries Left by 2035 "

Most countries will have higher per-person income by 2035 than China does now, Gates said in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual letter published today. He argued against what he called “three myths” that block progress for the poor: poor countries are doomed to stay poor; foreign aid is a big waste; and saving lives leads to over-population.

[Tracy]

It IS a disgusting system, but it is a system that has become much too comfortable to change. The only remedy is an unrealistic one: Every "menial worker" needs to take a day, or better, a week off--all at the same time. Imagine every McDonalds, Walmart, manufacturing plant, grocery store, police station, school, etc. empty. What would happen to the rarified elite? What would happen to the Dow, NASDAQ, NYSE and the international markets? The short-term pain for those workers would be intense, but the consequences of flexing their collective muscle would be awe-inspiring. The only effective way to attain recognition is to show our importance to the economy. Money talks, unfortunately.

[Rothtard]

No, you see, people would be paid according to their marginal productivity under TRUE capitalism. It's not wealth apologism; the wealth of the job creators is rooted in their higher productivity.

Suppose you look at a construction site. There are carpenters, plumbers, supervisors and so on. Now suppose I own the construction company they all work for. Without my tools, they would produce much less than they do WITH my tools. Therefore, my profit is rooted in the productivity of my capital.

You can disregard the fact that production requires all inputs in order to take place (which renders marginal productivity difficult to impossible to calculate), since you can clearly see that I am correct. You can also disregard the Cambridge Capital Controversy and reswitching.

It's not perfect, but it's better than the central planning you call for. It's either the state or the market. Or participatory planning or gift economy or... wait, what?

[The Warlock]

You and I have discussed things of this nature before but the way you phrase this question is bothersome in the same way a great deal of the questions from both sides here are bothersome to me--you generalize and make assumptions that are not accurate, criticizing a system that is functioning as it is designed to function.

Capitalism is about profit. There is no doubt about it. Without profit, a business (and all benefit of that business) disappears. No job for the employees at all. No wages for the employees. No benefits for the employees. No product for those who rely on that business. Society would crumble WITHOUT business.

That being said, I agree that a large percentage of businesses (and business leaders) take advantage of workers at an alarming rate these days. In many ways it's been coming for a while, but it is not just the businesses to blame. We all share accountability for what happens in our nation, right? One of my favorite things from the left (you know I'm conservative, but for those who didn't...) are people who live for the newest brand name stuff and then demand all kinds of restrictions, regulations and punishments for the corporations and CEO's of those corporations which their own devotion to the "latest thing" provide power to in the first place!

When you attack businesses for bad practices, try considering the good ones out there as well before you make calls for unpleasant actions...

A WAR brought us nuclear energy--the good things AND the bad things that go with it.

CORPORATIONS have been behind the majority of medical advances for decades. Just about anything that has gained better treatment / cures can be linked to corporate funds.

Many corporations (and/or corporate leaders) proudly support artistic and social projects.

These are some concepts, but when you talk about "social value", you have to realize that life must be about balance...and that balance has to come from each individual within the society. Work is necessary for survival. Survival is necessary for creativity. Creativity is necessary in work, no matter what your job. I don't necessarily agree that positions are "dehumanizing", but our society is heading in that direction and it is up to each of us to save what portions of that "human factor" we can.

The Warlock