>>
>>Certainly true. But we desperately need for capitalism to show a little more regard for people and society.
>>Saving/making $$$ at the expense of others is *not* a design feature of capitalism. Sure, it has grown to that, but it never should have. And I don't think it would have if Communism was still a factor. But the Communists that are left have found the way to have a few of them get richer while they exploit the rest. We are moving very fast in the same direction.
>>
>>By the way, Dmitry, you have to be careful with that word "socialist" in the U.S. of A. It has been engrained in people there that socialist == socialized and that socialized is therefore the absolute worst idea in the whole wide world.
>
>I disagree with you. Corporation should worry about making profit for their share holders. Government should worry about protecting citizens from abusive or illegal practices. The free-market economy will take care of the rest. If a person feels that this or that corporation is abusing or taking advantage or some other way “hurting” him/her, they will stop using services/products of the corporation.
>
>The original post was about fees collected by Credit Card companies. I took the number as a positive thing. To me it indicates a very active economy. You, obviously <g>, took it as a way to bash capitalism and USA <g>. I am not surprised.
>
>I know what socialism is. I lived under it for 24 years. And I now live in a capitalism for about the same number of years. So I can make a valid comparison and judgment.

Dmitry;

No system is perfect and we should understand what economic models exist. What are the good and bad points of each system? An important right we have in this country is to speak out when we see something we do not agree with or we question. I realize in a socialist system you would not have that opportunity.

It takes a lot to change the status of a corporation that has broken the law. Look at Enron. There is a long list of corporations that have hurt people in this country. How can that occur? Many people have lost pensions, 401k’s, etc. because of illegal corporate activities. I am one of these individuals! At age 62 I am concerned about retirement and dislike what has happened to many in my position. There are still few laws to protect peoples pensions and other retirement investments.

Historically, government officials are paid monies by corporations and grant favors to those corporations that contribute to them. Lobbyists are paid by corporations to influence our legislators and do so often. Politicians forget whom they represent until an election is on the horizon. They then become interested in the voters, until they are once more elected to office.

Our system has few if any safeguards to protect the individual financially. Over 40 million people without medical insurance is not a comforting thought to me. It sits well with others especially those that have medical insurance and those who are wealthy.

If you are poor or do not have medical insurance do not get sick or injured. That is the rule of the land. For those without means who cares? Let the best dog win!

We could have an interesting discussion on this topic as it involves many aspects of life, including history, economics, religion, the military, and personal experience to name just a few areas.

We do not need social justice for we have laws. Laws do not prevent people from being murdered. Something is basically wrong with a society with so many people in prison.

If you close your eyes and do not experience anything negative then everything is all right. This goes for any economic system.

Tom