Difference between Liberalism and Leftism

PA Ram wrote:

One place, for example that does not need capitalism, is health care. In fact, it is BECAUSE of capitalism that our current health care situation is such a disaster.
Infinite growth. That’s what capitalism requires. And yet–that isn’t possible. It’s a myth from the start.

. . . .

So yes–I have problems with it. At the same time, the free market can probably do some things better than government programs(IF regulated).

The question is really–can you have regulated and limited capitalism? Or…if you have it at all will the beast simply swallow the regulations time and time again with a corrupt congress and pursue the infinite growth model no matter what?

That’s a big question.

So far we haven’t seen that it can restrain itself. We haven’t seen any political will to restrain it.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Sickness-Healthcare-Became-Business/dp/1594206759

Good post, PA.

Healthcare is a great example. Capitalism is the reason why our costs are so incredibly high, and getting higher all the time. Medicare for all is an excellent response on the payment side, but we also need non-profit, public health care delivery.

And it’s not really as “radical” as it sounds. For most of American history, it’s the way we did things. Most towns paid for their own doctors, nurses and clinics, and then anyone in that town could just pop in, get treatment, and perhaps leave a chicken. If they couldn’t do that, they still received care. That was the norm.

Why not do that today? It’s scalable, too. Communities, counties, states and nationally. Pay doctors, nurses, hospitals, clinics, out of the tax pool. Give everyone a citizen card. No one pays directly, but they receive their treatment regardless. Our taxes cover it.

Of course, IMO, if we switched to an all public economy, we could solve the issues of overall runaway costs. As long as we have a capitalist economy, that’s going to be difficult when it comes to high end medical equipment and treatment and such.

My vision would solve for that by forever severing “sales/revenues” from wages and public works funding. Obliterate that connection. Draw the funds for personal wages and public works projects from a totally separate pool, held in common, literally, directly, by all of us. Sales and revenues at any commerce outlets would be entirely irrelevant when it comes to individual wages, taxation, funding, etc. etc. It just would no longer matter how many widgets you sell. Everyone would receive salaries regardless, set by us democratically, along with prices, and sync all of that up so that EVERYONE can live comfortably on what they make.

Cradle to grave education, health care, transportation and housing would be free for all. But those who work would be able to purchase homes and “stuff” for those homes for themselves. They’d own that. But all commerce would be publicly owned.

Hope all is well, PA.

PA Ram wrote:

In regard to capitalism. I think SOME capitalism can be a good thing, as long as it is tightly regulated. My God–without it would we have fidget spinners?

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I gave a fidget spinner to a prosecutor last week. I put some glitter on it too.

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