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marsten t1_it8hbyg wrote

Reply to comment by My_soliloquy in A new UN report explores how to make human civilization safe from destruction. There’s a way to make civilization extinction-proof. But it won’t be easy. by mossadnik

I think we need to separate out two things: How to maximize wealth creation for society overall, and how to distribute that wealth within society.

Capitalism is unequivocally the best answer to the first question. There are no counterexamples.

The second question is distinct and has to do with taxation, regulation, education, and so on. This is where the real discussion should be.

"Tax the rich" I get. "Destroy capitalism" makes no sense, it's the only system that works.

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My_soliloquy t1_it8ltwb wrote

End stage capitalism is where we're headed, where the rich have gamed the system to the point they aren't taxed and the rest of us fund everything. They've practically captured our government with "Citizens United" and the "Patriot Act." It's exacerbated since the 1970's. Even Warren Buffet acknowledged that his secretary pays more per capita, than he does. So if we went back to the tax rates under Eisenhower, or better yet 90% above 1 million in personal income, then capitalism might be viable. But that isn't what happened. And we're headed back towards kings controlling countries and the serfs they own; with the current wealth levels of oligarchs and CEO pay disparity vs their employees. We can't even get reasonable health care and costs under control in "the richest country on earth." Medical bankruptcy is a real thing where most citizens don't even have $400 in emergency funds.

So NO, capitalism is not the best example. Only people lucky enough not to have been destroyed by it yet, might think it's still viable.

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marsten t1_it8qq5r wrote

I think what you're calling out aren't problems with capitalism per se, but outcomes of the US's political system and cultural values. You could look at for example the Nordic countries for a different model of how to distribute the benefits of capitalism.

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