"Capitalism" is an economic system - "Democracy" is a political system.

[kentuck]

Last edited Wed Oct 14, 2015, 04:27 PM - Edit history (1)

A democracy chooses to have a capitalist economic system. Capitalism does not choose to have a democratic political system. Capitalism can work in a totalitarian political system, such as China's.

It was somewhat surprising to watch reporters question Bernie Sanders last night about "capitalism" as if he were some type of traitor. To her credit, Hillary also stressed the need to monitor capitalist tendencies to do harm to our democracy.

The lack of education by the news media of this country is startling. There is nothing democratic about capitalism. The citizens of a democracy have a need and a duty to set the rules for the capitalists that are permitted to do business in our country. Once capitalists are permitted to make the rules for our democracy, then we no longer have a democracy. We are nothing more than an dictatorial oligarchy.

[Cleita]

1. Capitalism, socialism and communism are all economic systems

which can operate under any system of government. That's what people don't understand especially those of us who were fed the capitalism vs communism spiel during the Cold War. This is why the term social democrat is important. It speaks to both.

[kentuck]

2. I hope Bernie can explain the distinction.

Capitalists do not follow the same rules or laws as everyone else in this country. Their primary purpose for existence is profits and greed. People could not exist under such a political system.

[Rex]

3. That is not a bug with the M$M, that is a feature.

They all know how badly they are helping fuck up the public with bullshit and half truths...they simply don't care since the money train keeps rolling up to their frontdoor.

Tabloid pundits making millions by keeping the status quo at all costs. Keeping people in the dark? That is their job.

[hifiguy]

4. And predatory capitalism is busy stamping out

the last traces of democracy in the US.

[kentuck]

5. Amen to that!

Democracy is dying.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. Replace "communist political system" with "totalitarian political system" and I agree.

Otherwise you miss the whole point of your OP.

[kentuck]

7. +1

Thx.

Although I tend to think capitalists can work side by side with such governments and have more in common than with a democracy. They can more easily agree to screw their citizens.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. And, any of them can be benevolent or tyrannical.

But, history has shown us that Capitalism is the most likely to embrace tyranny.

[Ms. Yertle]

10. Really?

Examples, please?

[hack89]

12. Stalin? Mao? Pol Pot? nt

[Rex]

13. True, we do love to prop up our puppet dictators and then help them fall from power.

All for a buck.

[Kang Colby]

9. I am a dyed-in-the-wool, unapologetic

capitalist and even I believe we should bring back Glass-Steagall.

[Etraker]

11. Sadly

Our economic system has purchased our political system.

[Texas Blues]

14. Capitalism leads to anarchy and Elysium

Capitalism creates the 1%'ers and the .01%'ers, while the 99%'ers and the 99.99%'ers have to fight over the crumbs. We need to eliminate this discrepancy, and the only way to do it is through socialism. I'm glad we are heading that way, so we can finally right the ship.

[WinkyDink]

15. That's correct. It is why the West overlooks capitalistic tyrannies.

[hifiguy]

16. And unless forcefully contained

capitalism inevitably degenerates into fascism.

[PowerToThePeople]

17. It is not a lack of education

It is wanton propaganda propagation.