Developing: Pakistani Plane Escorted by UK Fighter Jets — 2 Men Arrested

Doc Thompson’s 24-hour radio marathon, ‘#24forok,’ continues until 9 am ET — Listen Live!

Business

Whole Foods CEO: ‘Capitalism Is the Greatest Creation Humanity Has Done for Social Cooperation’

Feb. 7, 2013 11:00pm Jonathon M. Seidl

Whole Foods CEO John Macker Praises Capitalism in Glenn Beck Interview

In a photo made Wednesday Aug. 29, 2012, construction workers finish the parking lot of the soon-to-open Whole Foods Market in Boise, Idaho. Credit: AP

If you’ve been waiting for the CEO of a company to come out and not be ashamed of the capitalist system, then look no further than this post.

Whole Foods CEO John Mackey — author of the new book “Conscious Capitalism” — was on Glenn Beck’s radio program on Thursday and unashamedly endorsed capitalism in an interview that will have capitalists and libertarians standing up and applauding.

Just take a look at his opening statement [emphasis added]:

Capitalism is the greatest creation humanity has done for social cooperation. It has lifted humanity out of the dirt. In statistics we discovered when we researching the book, about 200 years ago when capitalism was created, 85% of the people alive lived on $1 a day. Toady, that number is 16%. Still too high, but capitalism is wiping out poverty across the world. 200 years ago illiteracy rates were 90%. Today, they are down to about 14%. 200 years ago the average lifespan was 30. Today it is 68 across the world, 78 in the States, almost 82 in Japan. This is due to business. This is due to capitalism. And it doesn’t get credit for it. Most of the time, business is portrayed by its enemies as selfish and greedy and exploitative, yet it’s the greatest value creator in the world.

And it only got more interesting from there. Watch the entire interview below:

You can read the entire transcript over at GlennBeck.com.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (73)

checkingbothsides
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:16pm
Why does this guy keep shooting himself in the foot? Does he not know who his customer base in? Do any of your blazers seriously have any interest in Whole Foods or organic food in general?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- sootsme
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:40pm
  I love good food, and theirs is the best. Their price for convenience is also astounding, but if you want/need the real deal, they deliver. In a free, capitalistic market, you pays yer money and you takes yer choice. Yeah, I know, what free market? Anyway, they really do sell great food, to those who really appreciate and choose to pay for it. Okay, methinks.
  
  Report this comment
- XPat
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 7:12pm
  I love this guy! I don’t mind stepping over brain dead liberal morons to have access to great food.
  
  Report this comment
Verceofreason
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 5:57pm
This jerks idea of capitalism is profits at any cost.
Screw your employees and rape the environment for cheaper product.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Anamah
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:44pm
  John Mackey is right. Capitalism has been a spreader of wealthy around the world; but sadly our president is unable to learn it.. His commitment to destroy American freedom based on the unsupportable weight of government, unnecessary spending and regulations is ending capitalism. The theater is mounted, the collaborative mainstream media manipulates public opinion as Federal indoctrination, based on distraction and hidden propaganda as unconditional and permanent scam. We are loosing our liberties and rights, men as Mr. Mackey are badly need it..
  
  Report this comment
Verceofreason
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 5:53pm
No one is against capitalism,
DOes his speech or this ‘story’ have a point?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TJHeller
  Posted on April 29, 2013 at 7:25pm
  No one is against capitalism??? That is just not true, otherwise tax the rich would not have any affect. Capitalism is the opposite of controlled markets like socialism and marxism, and even dictatorships. At least half the world opposes capitalism.
  
  Report this comment
bornagaincowgirl
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 3:47pm
Capitalism without good, moral, decent, God-fearing people who understand and walk in the ways of God turns into a very greedy system (from the lowest paid man in the system to the highest paid man….our hearts are evil). Jesus Christ is the answer, not capitalism. With Christ I can be the poorest man on the block and still have a joy.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 4:16pm
  You should believe in Christ his teaching are a blessing. But don’t count on him to feed clothes and house your family. Many a person has died relying solely on prayers,
  There was man trapped in a flood
  The police came to his house and said we in a flood zone you might want to go to higher ground.
  He said no the lord will look out for me.
  The flood started moving and the national guard came and said sir you need to leave.
  He said no the lord will watch over me
  The flood got bad and he had to climb on his roof a coast guard rescue chopter showed up and said sir you have to go.
  He said no the lord will look out for me.
  The storm got even worst the mans house was washed away and he drowned.
  When met God in heaven.
  He said lord I had faith in you and you let me drown
  The lord said,John I sent the police,the nation guardmen and a rescue helicopter you kepted YOU’RE THE ONE THAT TURNED THEM DOWN.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 4:20pm
  Point to the story is maybe God sent capitalism even with it flaws to save you me and the world from starvation,and homelessness. It the only system that actually works look at 1900 America and today.we leaped by over thousand years forward in medical,and industrial advancement
  
  Report this comment
- UnkleBuck
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 5:07pm
  BornAgain,
  
  You are INDEED correct that God is the answer, but everyone should know that capitalism IS the economic system of Christianity because it is THE only economic system that we can ascend to God’s potential He has for us. Not all of us, in fact, MOST of us are NOT entrepreneurs; which is EXACTLY why we should allow them to take the risks they’re comfortable with. Here’s why: I can guarantee you that NOTHING ANY capitalist, no matter how rich, has EVER prevented you from make an AWESOME living. BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, a tyrannical government that we allow to give us EVERYTHING for FREE can also take away everything they gave you if you don’t do what they want you to do. And if anyone can’t see that happening right now you’re smoking rope!
  
  Report this comment
- bornagaincowgirl
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:19pm
  Unklebuck—I agree with everything you say. My point is that capitalism will not work in a society that has no morals…how can it? Our country was founded on Christian principles and freedom…yet it is quickly losing (if it hasn’t lost already) all fear of God and thus its moral compass and thus its freedom. Our priority needs to be God first, let Him get our lives straight then everything else will follow.
  
  Report this comment
h20sue
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 3:11pm
If we could multiply this company by a couple of thousand and put their owners up against the democratic party and the morons that put Obama back in the Whitehouse, we might stand a chance of regaining The America we loved and admired. We might even repay the debt Obama has driven up and continue to drive up. He doesn’t want to cut spending as he can’t stand staying out of Air Force One and Two. He’s not happy unless he’s flying around the world, playing golf, wasting money, hosting state dinners, and more!

I wish there were more Whole Food Markets in the USA and more owners of such businesses who would stand up to Obama. He needs to be put in his place and trust me, it’s not in the Whitehouse. I refuse to watch or listen to him. If he comes on the news, we mute it, if he makes a speech, we mute him or watch something else. He’s one of the worst presidents and absolutely one of the worst leaders of the “free world”. He also a laughing stock to other countries. This alone speaks volumes.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
tcpubelle
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 1:33pm
Note to Editor, I think the word you wanted was Today, not Toady.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
CivKills
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:24pm
200 years ago we still had old growth forests, oceans flush with large fish — not plastic islands the size of Texas, we had prairies with bison, indigenous communities were not all sequestered on reservations in north America, cancer was nearly unheard of, all food was organic food, 25% of the US population was not taking a prescription anti-depressant or anti-psychotic, and we weren’t on the verge of extinction due to having destroyed the planet’s atmosphere.

Capitalists sure like to ignore costs.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- 1FreeVoice
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 3:35pm
  Also 200 years ago cancer was a death sentence, the organic food you are proud of had no refrigeration, there were no psychotropic drugs for anyone, precious few vaccines and some of those dangerous enough to kill some people… the list is very long indeed.
  
  Capitalism is a barter system. If I am willing to trade X for Y, then I perceive that I am gaining more than I loose in the transaction. If you see that you will gain something from trading y for x, we can cut a deal. No one trades money labor or goods unless they benefit. The history of capitalism is the history of people creating win-win deals that help everyone.
  
  As to things like child labor for tiny amounts, the local buying power of that money may be higher than you think if many of the people are very poor. Remember the masses of kids who starved to death after new child labor laws prohibited kids from working…? The pennies they brought home were the difference between having food and going hungry.
  
  The foreigners who pushed the government to institute the child labor laws similar to the ones in rich countries never looked back to see the damage they had done. Good intentions have killed more people than you know, and they remain dead after you say that was not the PLAN !
  
  Voluntary transactions that benefit both sides have gradually raised the standard of living around the world.
  
  Report this comment
- Anamah
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:05pm
  Ignoring the true history drive you to wrong conclusions.
  
  Report this comment
- pinostabaum
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:15pm
  @1FREEVOICE well said. everyone should ponder this.
  
  Report this comment
- TJHeller
  Posted on April 29, 2013 at 7:31pm
  There are more forest lands today than 200 years ago, The population of fish is up, especially edible ones, and as for the meds… it seems to me that they do extend lifespan… Man is not perfect, but there is no way we can end the planet.
  
  Report this comment
Inform
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:50am
Capitalism is definitely misunderstood. It is good to see a defender speak out. More misconceptions shot down: http://www.youargue.com/index.php/27bz1328

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Liberalismkills
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:31am
  Don’t worry. He’ll disavow and denounce capitalism by tomorrow morning just like he has every other time he has spoken out against a sacred progressive meme.
  
  Report this comment
- girlnurse
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:07pm
  Exactly libralismkills….he’ll soon be on his apology tour!
  
  Report this comment
progressiveslayer
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:36am
So that the record of history is absolutely crystal clear. That there is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by a free enterprise system.
Milton Friedman

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- girlnurse
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:13pm
  Right! I sure wish we had a FREE enterprise system! One where the gubment didn’t pick winners and losers and bail out their big corp. buddies! An enterprise where you weren’t punished with heavy tax and regulation for trying to own a small business…One where the so called “Capitalist” gubment wasn’t fighting against you every step of the way! That would be really nice if we could go back to that. Their newest weapon against us is carbon tax…not to mention BANNING certain products like big gulps because the GUBMENT knows whats best for us! And did I mention…the war on coal…oh and our tax dollars going to Solyndra and others….ie, FLUSHED down the toilet! Yea…I wish we had a Capitalist society! That would be cool….sigh
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:21pm
  I like the way you think Girl. Have a great day! ;)
  
  Report this comment
lbesq
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:19am
Why does anyone even respond to “mary” It is proven that IT will never come with concrete Facts. It is proven that IT will only spout what IT believes. Ignore IT, IT may never go away, But if we DO NOT RESPOND TO IT’s spoutings, perhaps IT will wither away. IT will never understand the principles of Capitalism, IT can only understand,based on what IT posts, The Government takes care of all.
Capitalism gives someone the opportunity to Try, The Government puts up roadblocks so you can not even try. I have owned several Businesses, Even with the Down turn in the economy, I could keep them going and keep people employed, Regulations, and NEW regulations, PUT me out of Business! Now I am unemployed, can not collect on the unemployment insurance that I was forced to pay.(oh, your the owner, your not entititled) and my workers are Unemployed, and now are not able to pay their bills, Thank you Government Regulations. Was paying bills until NEW regulations were put into place, Was not the economy that put me out of Business, and put two Familes out of work.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:57am
  @lbesq – sorry to hear that both for you and those you helped provide a living for themselves, it is truly a shame. And you are right about Mary, clueless, and not worth responding to, a zealot who refuses to acknowledge that government was corrupted long ago to favor oligarchy, forcing people like you out of providing a livelihood for others and yourself. Godspeed patriot.
  
  Report this comment
angeleyes63
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:52am
@NAUGHTYGAL
I”m confused was that for me or for MARYELIZABETH the (wacko)?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:14am
  It was for MaryE….and yes its a wacko.
  It hard the phathom the shear about of stupidity and denial it takes to create someone like that.
  Even when you leave the U.S. borders and look around the world at what Capitalism is doing to build economies in what were third world countries.
  MaryE………really isn’t stupid its what I call ignorant. stupid people can be taught MaryE is ignorant it ignores that facts and thus is willfully stupid.
  
  Report this comment
angeleyes63
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:26am
Those are curse words to the psychotic left bent on destroying what’s left of decency in America.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:45am
  mary wrote
  When the capitalists do not pay their workers enough so that the Government must step in with a program to provide them with food
  Consumers dictates price business owners can only sell at what the costumer is willing to pay. So its your fault for not being willing to pay more. After being is sales for acouple years I can say one thing without a doubt…IT’S ALWAYS A BUYERS MARKET A SELLERS MARKET IS A MYTH LIKE FREE LOVE OR THE LOCH NESS MONSTER
  One more thing there mary the number one bill that takes up our paycheck is….drum roll
  HOUISING which was much more affordable before the effing Progressives decided to manipulate the market with CRA legilation. Housing prices more than doubled after Clinton pushed his CRA legislation through on the last pages of the GRAHAM LEACH BAILEY ACT OF 1999.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:10am
  naughtycal.
  
  You are right. Clinton was a rat. He led the Democratic Leadership Council’s takeover of the Democratic party and championed a Republican agenda.
  
  The banks should never have been allowed into the financial industry. Allowing them in created a financial bubble. This bubble just got a little too big and they are having problems sweeping up the crumbs after it burst.
  
  The housing bubble didn’t transfer any wealth back to the people. Wealth became more concentrated.The wealthy elite is more wealthy than ever.
  
  You see a D after a person’s name and assume that means Progressive (i.e.bad).
  You have no idea if there’s a D after my name.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:58am
  marye,
  You oppinions state what you are an that’s is an imbicile.
  Clinton didn’t champion the Republican agenda he took because the liberal progressive had nothing to offer and it was working to lower debt and raise tax revenues until the terrorist that were allowed to into fly school under Clintons watch rammed a couple air liners into the WTC.
  As for the housing market that was all Clinton and andrew coumo anyone with an IQ of 80 or more(GUESS THAT ELIMINATED YOU) could google the graham leach bailey act and see what Clinton housing regulation Clinton require to allow its passage. Subprime started under Clinton and when he signed the measure it went into over drive.
  More over anyone with the ability to walk and chew gum can google what Barney frank and Chris Dodd did when Bush try to pass regulations to fix the problem. I believe barney stated the housing market was not a bubble and was strong all the way till 2008 when it collapsed.
  Keep drinking that kool aid and one day they’ll serve you the Jim Jones flavor. As braindead as you are they might have already served it to you.
  
  Report this comment
marybethelizabeth
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:44am
Capitalism looks good for the few who get to boss people around. Maybe economic terrorists is too strong a phrase for them.

The vast majority of people find themselves getting screwed.

Capitalism is a giant protection racket where people with money make their living by taking a piece off the top of everyone’s labor.

It’s not the government that has their hand in your pocket. Your wallet (and your pensions, and your American Dream) is being emptied by the invisible hand.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- JammerX19
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:53am
  Capitalism created the computer you used to post that inane comment. Capitalism created the electricity and the means for getting it to that computer. Capitalism created the clothes you’re wearing. Capitalism kept you alive through your mother’s pregnancy, your delivery and your life so far. Start thinking for yourself rather than marching in lockstep with the rest of the I’m-happy-being-a-victim crowd.
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:09am
  Mary It’s not the government that has it’s hand in your pocket? Why must you prove your idiocy with every single post?
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:14am
  Here have a look maybe this will blow your mind,maybe not you have to have a mind to begin with.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-o0kD9f6wo
  
  Report this comment
- FEISTY
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:20am
  Give us an example — without dreaming it up, Mary — of an economic model that has provided more wealth and freedom, and created more opportunity for all people, than capitalism. What country?
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:21am
  Please do some in depth research. Without capatalism we would still be in the dirt, so to speak, compared to where we are now. The government was co-opted by less than genuine people (JP Morgan with the help and at the direction of Rothchild, Woodrow Wilson, Rockefeller, etc) to facilitate theft from the people. You can’t blame capatalism, blame bad people. Just like socialism or communism, if people at the top were good whole people, it would work. But there are evil people whose thirst for power is never quenched, so those systems always lead to hunger or death. Capitalism, while having its imperfections, best mitigates those problems.
  
  A slice of history, in 1980, the three richest counties in the nation were Stamford CT, La Jolla CA, and Oakland MI. Now the top 5 are immediately surrounding DC, if that doesn’t tell you all you need to know………The government is the problem in this instance.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:26am
  Jammerx19
  
  To say that Capitalism is the engine of invention is the same as the President saying “You Didn’t Build That.”
  
  You are dismissing the labor of the individual and elevating the importance of the wealthy elite.
  
  You are saying it wasn’t a guy in a garage with an idea that invented something that changed people lives for the better, but it was his banker who should receive the credit.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:26am
  Capitalism doesn’t rob the poor it provide opportunities to not be poor.
  Without capitalism 120,000,000 Americans would be unemployed.
  and 350,000,000 would in proverty
  You stupid a55 liberals have no idea what you’re babbling about. Where do you think every aspect of your life would be without capitalism and free market pushing industries to deliver better products at better prices with better service.
  Capitalism motto is you catch more flys with honey
  Socialist government motto if you pull their wings off they’ll eat whatever you feed them.
  In other words capitalism advance and thrives to get your business through innovation and pricing
  The government says have to accept it or get nothing.
  Al gore didn’t create the computer you’re using design it to be faster and expand it abilities CAPITALISM DID THAT
  and Al gore didn’t create the internet and expand it to the info. super highway it today capitalism created that as well.
  Every major sport that you watch today was created by Capitalism as well…..
  The 2/3 of the world population would even be here today without capitalism creating more disease resistant crops,transportion,refrigeration,advance medical equipment,and medecine.
  It’s easy for idiots like yourself to condemn capitalism while you reap all its benefits. Just like it’s easy you liberals like you to attack the Constitution and BURN THE FLAG WHILE YOU REAP ALL THE BENEFITS OF LIVING UNDER THEM.
  Try moving somewhere else like say somolia for a
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:31am
  @mary
  
  I know Gates was in his garage, I know Jobs and Wozniak were in their garage. I have never heard their banker’s names. Try again.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:36am
  Progressiveslayer.
  
  When the capitalists do not pay their workers enough so that the Government must step in with a program to provide them with food, the guilty party is the capitalist that created the need for the assistance program. If workers were properly compensated then the assistance program would not be necessary.
  
  Then the capitalists say it’s unfair that they pay for the assistance program through taxes but that they will be happy to loan the government the money to fund it, as long as they get an interest kickback for doing so.
  
  They not only create an unbalanced system, they make money off of it.
  
  Report this comment
- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:40am
  Mr or Ms NAUGHTYCAL,
  
  This is what you must know:
  
  “Capitalism doesn’t rob the poor it provide opportunities to not be poor.”
  
  Actually, it does both.
  
  It is so.
  
  Report this comment
- brother_ed
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:44am
  @MARYBETHELIZABETH
  
  I don’t agree with any if your theories, however, I’ll play along…
  
  It is possible that the owners don’t pay the workers enough to love because they lnow the government will make up the difference.
  
  If I don’t pay you enough to live…all my workers die, they can’t buy my products, and I go out of business.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:46am
  Naughtycal
  
  Just the first paragraph: there are not 350 million Americans. There are under 320 million.
  
  The rest of what you wrote is wild speculation and overblown impossible to prove assumptions.
  
  It is not unpatriotic to say so, unless you pledge allegiance not to your fellow countrymen but to the corporations, who are a special kind of people who never die.
  
  Have you heard Mr. Beck rant about the dangers of transhumanism lately? Isn’t a corporation a transhuman?
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:53am
  baddoggydesciple.
  
  The problem is you don’t know their names. I think you probably know some of their names but not their activities.
  Economics is easy.
  Math is easy.
  People are taught that these things are hard and confusing and to focus their attentions elsewhere.
  
  The invisible hand and all that.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 9:58am
  Brother_ed
  
  Why would they care if most everyone dies since they have almost all the wealth anyway?
  
  Mostly now they are just stealing from each other (excuse the hyperbole).
  
  It’s already been mostly stolen for the you’s and me’s of the country.
  
  The fight is about getting them to relinquishing the ill gotten gains.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:00am
  mary
  I pledge alligance to the Constitution,to liberty,to freedom and to independence NOT TO MY COUNTRY MEN. 2/3 of my country men could want to live under communism THE CONSTITUTION PROTECT MY FREEDOM.
  Tell you what mary why don’t you practice what you preach and reject everything capitalism has created . Like I said it’s easy to condemn capitalism while all the benefits that you reap from free market capitalism. A while your at it show us one example of anything else that has created more prosperity and brought more out of poverty than free market capitalism.
  while
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:26am
  @Mary
  
  Oh, I know the names, at least some of them. But you are making my point. As government intervened at the behest of the “not so invisible hands”, barriers to entry increased thus capitalism was stifled. If we had a true capatalist society, these barriers would not exist. As the “invisible hand” uses government to increase barriers, the closer we get to socialism, where the income/power gap is greatly increased and the middle class is destroyed. You know, like when you shut down coal plants and energy prices increase 50%, only hurts the middle class. When you print money out of thin air, devaluing the dollar leading to bread and milk doubling in price, only hurts the middle class. When you screw with healthcare leading to full time becoming part time, only hurts the middle class. There are 3 examples, do you have any? I paraphrase “you must destroy the middle class so there is nothing to protect the upper class from the lower class, only then can you have revolution” – Saul Alinsky.
  
  Report this comment
- JRook
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:36am
  What is clear is that one side here is presenting the worst aspects of capitalism and the other is presenting the ideal, free market, capitalism. Something we no longer have in the US as many large corporations are responsible for a large part of the regulations people attribute to government. These regulations are put forth specifically to limit competition. Capitalism is without question the best economic system available. But like any social or cultural system it needs to be kept true to the underlying tenants and not co-opted or shaped by the current “winners” who seek to maximize their competitive standing and profits rather than optimize them. Lobbyists in Washington that represent big oil, big banks, big pharma, big food, big energy, etc. are not merely satisfied with a free market, competitive, capitalistic system. They seek an advantage, they seek to achieve a higher status and/or greater ROI than the market would provide and greater than their performance deserves. Much the same as any special interest they aren’t lobbying for equity or an equal playing field, they lobby for an advantage. The lobbyist for Fed Ex and UPS that were successful in getting congress to force the USPS to fund their pension at a level that NO company or government unit is the US does for the sole purpose of having them run deficits is a good example. Do the research and be honest.
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:43am
  MARY When the capitalists do not pay their workers enough so that the Government must step in with a program to provide them with food, the guilty party is the capitalist that created the need for the assistance program. If workers were properly compensated then the assistance program would not be necessary.
  
  You obviously don’t understand economics in the least because a free market will determine what the capitalist pays for labor not some government agency. Centralized governments give you economies like N.Korea and Cuba and we don’t need that Mary those would be bad,do you understand now?
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 10:51am
  YS,
  Explain how capitalism robs the poor…..When no one is forced to purchase a product or service. And given that Capitalism creates the tax base under which many many many poor(some deserving and needy,some just plain lazy and irresposible) are provided neccesary products and services(medicaid,food stamps,education) that would not be available without that tax group to generate the neccesary funds to provide them. WHERE DO YOU THINK THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GETS THE MONEY TO EMPLOY ALL OF IT WORK FORCE,AND PROVIDE SERVICES .
  the irresposible aren’t the victims of capitalism the capiatlism is the victim of the irresposible.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:04am
  baddoggydesciple.
  
  My example would be to read the current economic forecasts.
  
  I’m confused as to your aspirations: a middle class existence of acting as a tool of the wealthy elite to exploit those less fortunate than you are or a member of the wealthy elite who finds it necessary to surround themselves with an amoral middle class for protection.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:10am
  Naughtycal.
  
  Capitalism didn’t create taxes.
  A capitalist is just a loan shark.
  
  Remember when credit cards had a 18% interest limit?
  
  Things were better then.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:26am
  Jrook
  
  There is no mechanism in a capitalist system to correct for the wealth transfer from interest payments. In a capitalist system wealth is necessarily concentrated in fewer and fewer hands.
  
  There needs to be a “free market” on the demand side too for an economy to allocate resources efficiently. This is impossible in a capitalist system. The invisible hand is operated solely by the capitalist. It is not really invisible, just hidden, and all it does is grab more and more.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:36am
  MARYE,
  I never said Capitalism created taxes
  I said it creates the tax bases(akak payers) that gives the taxer(government) the base of people to collect taxes from. The biggiest problem is that government views the taxed dollars as their own personal bank account to fund ideological projects and line the pockets of their campaign supporters with millions in their coffers to fund their next election. Or expand government creating useless agencies of workers who will alway vote for more government while robbing liberty through unconstitutional laws never passed by Congress by calling them”regulations”
  
  BTW still waiting for that example of a government system that has done more to advance humanity,technology and raise people out of proverty than Free Market capitalism. Every single aspect of your life is easier,faster,and cheaper thanks to free market principles…..
  DAMN IT MUST SUCK TO ME YOU,To hate the system that has given you everything.
  It’s almost like hating your own parents.
  One last thing everyone here knows the truth it’s not that some have so much that eats at you.its that you don’t. So whose the greedy one again
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 11:59am
  Naughtycal
  
  Capitalism is an economic system, not a governmental system.
  
  You attribute modernization to our current oligarchy and you call it free market capitalism. It’s a belief, not a set of facts.
  
  Write more on how much you hate America and your fellow Americans.
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:05pm
  @ mary – I see you learned just enough in college to talk in circles rather than learning the ability discuss a topic. I leave you with this – If you let a dog off the leash, and it runs away, do you blame the dog? No.
  
  If politicians let corporations off the leash and they run wild, do you blame the corporations? No. Blame the politicians. This could be fixed if our politicians had any integrity. You don’t abolish the whole system because a few liberals screwed it up over a 100 years ago, you fix it. We know what happens to socialism, every time.
  
  Report this comment
- rogwl
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:05pm
  Mary… Pull your head out and then open your eyes and look at the real world around you…
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:46pm
  A couple of weeks ago I heard Mr. Beck repeat his Ben Franklin rant for the 4th of 5th time. Regular listeners have all heard how great Ben Franklin was because he gave away the idea for the pot bellied stove. He saved countless lives doing so.
  Mr. Beck asks “Where are the Ben Franklins today?”
  
  Giving away the fruits of your labor isn’t capitalist. Ben Franklin wasn’t a capitalist.
  
  Look at the internet. It was developed with the peoples money. “Our” tax dollars. When it started to get widespread public use you couldn’t sell things on it. The Usenet group Alt.forsale was very controversial. Most users thought it should be kept free.
  
  Then came the world wide web.
  
  Now Mr. Beck want to privatize what belongs to everyone so only a few benefit from the public investment. He’s against net neutrality.
  
  Things would be fine without capitalists taking their vig.
  
  We made it. A few want to steal it.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:49pm
  baddogdesciple.
  
  So you are against the free market then. The politicians, and government, are then necessary to rein in the corporations and wealthy elite?
  
  That’s not a popular opinion here.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 12:54pm
  No maryE,
  I Don’t attribute capitalism to the modernization to our current oligarchy. I attribute capitalism with supplying the means by it is being created. Fact is if the current system was based on free market capitalist principles it wouldn’t exist you can’t running 16.5 trillion in debt an be marketable. accountabilty is big the free market and non-exsistant in government.
  The words belly up ring a bell that wher it would be.
  As for me hating America that’s only if you consider the current system and government to qualify as American. It doesn’t we have a fundamental broken system of party representative and not people or constitutional representative. We have a group of elitist who thinks their power come from their title and not from the Constitutional protected people. THAT’S NOT AMERICAN.
  And as for hating fellow American whose the hater the person that beliefs American should be free and Constitutional protect or those that think American should give more con trol to government.
  More over aligning my self against those that want more government control And less Constitutional rights doesn’t require me to hate them just disagree with them but their political beliefs certainly makes them unAmerican given that every elected representaive,every soldier,every judge,every police swear and oath to up hold the Constitution and protect it from enemies foriegn and domestic.
  So maybe you should have asked me to tell you more on how I hate the unamericans.
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 1:16pm
  Naughtycal
  
  The Constitution is silent on usury. It doesn’t say anything about capitalism.
  
  Are we stuck with a dysfunctional system?
  
  The Constitution has been changed many times. It wouldn’t have won agreement without being amended.
  
  True Americans would want to make things better, not be stuck with the system that got us here.
  
  Some argue that we diverted from the correct path and the answer is to return to it. They make up all these fantasies. If Only This…. If Only That… then things would have turned out “right.”
  
  Yet here we are. There was no diversion.
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:19pm
  Mary- Not what I said at all. When a few politicians made laws/regs to favor a few (your invisible hand) many decades ago, it increased barriers to entry that would have kept the market truly free…pure competition. It was liberal politicians that did it for there own gain. Now you have twisted my words to suit your purpose…you are not worthy of further discussion. Enjoy the FED and all that comes with it that your hero Wilson gave you.
  
  Report this comment
- girlnurse
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:24pm
  @JROOK: Thanks for a common sense post well written and the TRUTH! Capitalism WAS the best…and still is…but what we have right now is NOT Capitalism in the true sense of the word. What we have now is some sort of Chroney manipulated, bastardized version of a once great system!
  
  Report this comment
- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 2:40pm
  baddogdesciple.
  
  So you meant “let them off the leash” not to run wild; to feed them a bone?
  
  You can blame a dog for acting like a dog. but they will act like a dog nonetheless.
  
  The same with capitalists
  
  The true law of capitalism is that the concentration of wealth will increase, no matter what.
  
  Report this comment
- girlnurse
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 3:25pm
  Of course this is all a diversion from the FACT that Obama is trying to PRETEND he is all for the little guy…and against the big rich people…when nothing could be further from the truth! ALL these filthy politicians would sell their own mother down the river for another MILLION dollars in an off shore account! Money is like crack and the LOVE of it IS the root of all evil. I mean look at ALGORE…He is ADDICTED bigtime! He can’t get enough! Wasn’t it Obama who said; “I do think at some point you’ve made enough money” Yet HE and MOOCHELLE can not get enough of OUR money to SPEND!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=X0-YJ1zCJAU
  
  Report this comment
- BADDOGGYDESCIPLE
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 3:26pm
  No Mary, I meant what I wrote, not what you wanted to hear. Here’s one for ya…most all of the economic problems facing this country could be solved within a decade if we significantly altered our trade agreements and let the rest of the world fend for themselves a little more, or are you against American sovereignty too? Make a legit point soon, running out of troll food. The truth is, we probably aren’t that far apart, but you’ve been told who the enemy is and you listened a little close as opposed to finding it out for yourself.
  
  Report this comment
thegodfather
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:34am
Obama just threw up in his mouth reading those quotes

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
naughtycal
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:22am
He’s so right without capitalism nations would starve people have no idea how what the world would be today without capitalism. Everything from electricity,the mass transportation,to building materials for homes every little aspect of our lives is easier because of capitalism. A single McDonald franchise in the 1950′s employed a dozen people today millions of people have jobs thanks to capitalism.
Tell all these anti-capitalist to take a challenge live one month solely on what you can create for shelter,food,clothing,transportation and communication…..Then tell us capitalism is wrong.
The other big thing capitalism does is create an eviroment where the businesses that can supply the best product at the best price gets the costumers. There by ensuring all businesses thrive to keep cost down,product quality up,and productivity up. Name one government ran agencies that gives two ratssh*t about any of those important. Capitalism motto is you catch more flys with honey
Government motto is if you pull the wings off flys they’ll eat whatever you feed them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
steve-in-pa
Posted on February 8, 2013 at 8:06am
Their business motto is: Woman’s razors… never carried them, never will, lol.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- catty
  Posted on February 8, 2013 at 6:20pm
  Hate to break it to you Steve but they carry womens razors
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.