They built factories, golden arches, and music empires. They changed what you eat, where you shop, and what you hear. This week, we celebrate America’s great capitalists and their legacies.
1. Not talking about Hiter/Germany Talking about those that fought for the Confederacy. Stay on task, Kevin. What was their motivation to giver their lives for a system that benefitted so few? Why is that question in bad faith? Because you don't want to answer?
The comments extolling capitalism over communism are useless immolation of a straw man. Sure, communism bad, but if you look it up, you’ll learn that there is no state ownership of means of production here. That is what communism is.
What these writers hate is actually the leavening of capitalism with liberal rules. Once you accept that, you must grapple with the obvious fact that the Scandinavian model of capitalism with social programs is delivering higher standard of living for all, better healthcare, child care, and more vacation time.
So then you must ask, do we just not care or are we suckers to the oligarchs who call any social program by the hated name of communism
Let’s not forget that the top 1% has significantly more wealth than the lower 50%. They have access to absolutely more resources to keep it that way. The only justification for this is self delusion and self aggrandizement. It certainly fits nowhere in the scriptures.
America, my America. My 3 years in the Peace Corps and travels through South America educated me to the fact that there’s no place like America. Nothing even close. If one looks at the loudest critics of our of our beautiful country they will frequently see those who have never built a damn thing.
Thank you for honoring these achievements! It may not be fashionable now to admire capitalism and capitalists, but there is no denying that they in fact did build it and they built it with vision and grit. We have all benefited and lived better lives thanks to their efforts and accomplishments. Decades ago the Wall Street Journal was a great newspaper. There was a year when the WSJ printed a daily feature honoring the achievements of individual capitalists, brilliant engineers, and innovative entrepreneurs. It was one of the best series I ever read. I wish the WSJ would reprint those daily articles this year in honor of America at 250. I look forward to the Free Press’s series!
Capitalism has raised more people out of poverty than all the government programs ever conceived. As capitalism increased over the past two centuries, global GDP per capita has soared while extreme poverty has plummeted from over 80% to under 10%. Because of capitalism, humans have flourished in nearly every measurable dimension, including life expectancy, literacy, nutrition, education, safety from natural disasters, and access to electricity. Whenever socialism has been tried, people have suffered from poverty and loss of civil liberties, such as in the Soviet Union and its satellite countries of Eastern Europe, China, North Korea, Cambodia and Cuba. China's economy improved only when it started allowing limited capitalism. But while the standard of living has risen, the Chinese people still lack freedom of speech and other civil liberties. Scandivavian countries have generous welfare programs but have capitalist economies. As Margaret Thatcher said, and Zorhan Mamdani recently found out, with socialism, you soon run out of other people's money.
If you’re feeling negative about Capitalism and warming up to Socialism head over to John Stossel’s FP page. He has some excellent videos on the subject, they are a great reality check.
As with most things there’s a positive & a negative. Yes they were Robber Barons but the results of their endeavors are astounding. In 1890 the horse was the primary means of local transport. Many homes were lit with gas or kerosene. Entertainment in the home if one could afford it was by means of a piano. In my lifetime tv replaced the radio. We learned penmanship with a fountain pen & they leaked. Our phones were metal dial contraptions. Records were 78 rpm, brittle & noise. We used slide rules & car tires melted on hot summer days. AC wasn’t available in homes or cars. Try spending a hot, humid night in July sans AC. In short be thankful.
You should get Yaron Brook or someone from the Ayn Rand Institute to write something for you this for this series. They are some of the greatest advocates of capitalism of our time. Ayn Rand literally has a book of collected essays and lectures from 1966 titled Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.
Wow. When I subscribed I thought I was going to get a centrist, moderate perspective. The lean right is palpable in much of the writing and topics. May be time for me to move on.
As someone who grew up in communism I don't see anything wrong with being positive about capitalism. It is possible to have a critical viewpoint (as you appear to have), while still embracing the maker/creator/entrepreneur aspect of this system. Pure Karl Marx, however, does not get us very far in terms of actual outcomes.
You mean you wanted the same old left wing bullshit you can get on MSNBC. If you think a positive view of capitalism is right wing, it is time for you to move on… to Belleview.
That’s my point. When all ADVERTISING and cultural references, supported and paid for by capitalism exclusively deliver curated messages dedicated to the glorification of money and making money, I like sources of journalism to provide interesting and informative perspectives that aren’t just the corporate party line. Apparently this isn’t gonna be the place where I’m gonna get any of that objectivity.
As someone who made a living from capitalism and journalism (wrote for TheStreet and WSJ for 2+ decades), there is no system in the history of mankind that comes close to the wealth produced out of thin air by American capitalism.
Well then, stop complaining! The point isnt to glorify money for its own sake, it is to demonstrate the can-do spirit and immense benefits that these industrialists brought to society. Would you rather do without all of the incredible inventions and modern conveniences that you now have - including that phone in your hand giving you the ability to complain about it online?
Yes there are downsides also and things can get unbalanced - but by your own admission you do not wish to live anywhere else, so let’s appreciate the good things and work on addressing the imbalances 😁
My step-brother who is a successful lawyer working in L.A. making very good moulah, living in Beverly Hills, yet will say ... "I am no capitalist:"... What the .....?!
This celebration of capitalism borders on religious ideology (or propaganda). If the “free market” is so glorious let’s do it without government subsidies.
1. Not talking about Hiter/Germany Talking about those that fought for the Confederacy. Stay on task, Kevin. What was their motivation to giver their lives for a system that benefitted so few? Why is that question in bad faith? Because you don't want to answer?
2. Still can't come up with one?
The comments extolling capitalism over communism are useless immolation of a straw man. Sure, communism bad, but if you look it up, you’ll learn that there is no state ownership of means of production here. That is what communism is.
What these writers hate is actually the leavening of capitalism with liberal rules. Once you accept that, you must grapple with the obvious fact that the Scandinavian model of capitalism with social programs is delivering higher standard of living for all, better healthcare, child care, and more vacation time.
So then you must ask, do we just not care or are we suckers to the oligarchs who call any social program by the hated name of communism
1. Don't need a list. One or two will suffice. What do think one of those might be?
2. Can't name one? You don't know any, do you? :)
Let’s not forget that the top 1% has significantly more wealth than the lower 50%. They have access to absolutely more resources to keep it that way. The only justification for this is self delusion and self aggrandizement. It certainly fits nowhere in the scriptures.
America, my America. My 3 years in the Peace Corps and travels through South America educated me to the fact that there’s no place like America. Nothing even close. If one looks at the loudest critics of our of our beautiful country they will frequently see those who have never built a damn thing.
I visited the USSR in the early Gorbachev years. Nothing makes you an avowed capitalist like seeing the alternative with your own eyes.
Thank you for honoring these achievements! It may not be fashionable now to admire capitalism and capitalists, but there is no denying that they in fact did build it and they built it with vision and grit. We have all benefited and lived better lives thanks to their efforts and accomplishments. Decades ago the Wall Street Journal was a great newspaper. There was a year when the WSJ printed a daily feature honoring the achievements of individual capitalists, brilliant engineers, and innovative entrepreneurs. It was one of the best series I ever read. I wish the WSJ would reprint those daily articles this year in honor of America at 250. I look forward to the Free Press’s series!
Capitalism has raised more people out of poverty than all the government programs ever conceived. As capitalism increased over the past two centuries, global GDP per capita has soared while extreme poverty has plummeted from over 80% to under 10%. Because of capitalism, humans have flourished in nearly every measurable dimension, including life expectancy, literacy, nutrition, education, safety from natural disasters, and access to electricity. Whenever socialism has been tried, people have suffered from poverty and loss of civil liberties, such as in the Soviet Union and its satellite countries of Eastern Europe, China, North Korea, Cambodia and Cuba. China's economy improved only when it started allowing limited capitalism. But while the standard of living has risen, the Chinese people still lack freedom of speech and other civil liberties. Scandivavian countries have generous welfare programs but have capitalist economies. As Margaret Thatcher said, and Zorhan Mamdani recently found out, with socialism, you soon run out of other people's money.
If you’re feeling negative about Capitalism and warming up to Socialism head over to John Stossel’s FP page. He has some excellent videos on the subject, they are a great reality check.
As with most things there’s a positive & a negative. Yes they were Robber Barons but the results of their endeavors are astounding. In 1890 the horse was the primary means of local transport. Many homes were lit with gas or kerosene. Entertainment in the home if one could afford it was by means of a piano. In my lifetime tv replaced the radio. We learned penmanship with a fountain pen & they leaked. Our phones were metal dial contraptions. Records were 78 rpm, brittle & noise. We used slide rules & car tires melted on hot summer days. AC wasn’t available in homes or cars. Try spending a hot, humid night in July sans AC. In short be thankful.
Sad. "Nothing Gold Can Stay."
I had high hopes for TFP.
"when Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie were household names spoken with pride, rather than contempt."
Pride?
Henry Ford was a major Jew hater. Literally no American Jew bought a Ford until the 1960s, long after his death.
Boy, the bitter old communists really came out from under their rocks for this one.
You should get Yaron Brook or someone from the Ayn Rand Institute to write something for you this for this series. They are some of the greatest advocates of capitalism of our time. Ayn Rand literally has a book of collected essays and lectures from 1966 titled Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal.
Wow. When I subscribed I thought I was going to get a centrist, moderate perspective. The lean right is palpable in much of the writing and topics. May be time for me to move on.
The Free Press does lean right. You can tell because the Right thinks it's objective : )
Jill Jill Jill, that Free Press pisses off both sides is a testament to their objectiivty.
As someone who grew up in communism I don't see anything wrong with being positive about capitalism. It is possible to have a critical viewpoint (as you appear to have), while still embracing the maker/creator/entrepreneur aspect of this system. Pure Karl Marx, however, does not get us very far in terms of actual outcomes.
You mean you wanted the same old left wing bullshit you can get on MSNBC. If you think a positive view of capitalism is right wing, it is time for you to move on… to Belleview.
No, You said that about her.
Again. No.
It all depends on whether your objective is to be exposed to alternative viewpoints or to have your current views reinforced. Your call.
That’s my point. When all ADVERTISING and cultural references, supported and paid for by capitalism exclusively deliver curated messages dedicated to the glorification of money and making money, I like sources of journalism to provide interesting and informative perspectives that aren’t just the corporate party line. Apparently this isn’t gonna be the place where I’m gonna get any of that objectivity.
I really don’t think you give the FP proper credit for the range of views found here. This just took a moment for me to find.
https://www.thefp.com/p/can-socialism-ever-really-work
As someone who made a living from capitalism and journalism (wrote for TheStreet and WSJ for 2+ decades), there is no system in the history of mankind that comes close to the wealth produced out of thin air by American capitalism.
Try the CCP. They will give you what you want.
Ummm. No.
Well then, stop complaining! The point isnt to glorify money for its own sake, it is to demonstrate the can-do spirit and immense benefits that these industrialists brought to society. Would you rather do without all of the incredible inventions and modern conveniences that you now have - including that phone in your hand giving you the ability to complain about it online?
Yes there are downsides also and things can get unbalanced - but by your own admission you do not wish to live anywhere else, so let’s appreciate the good things and work on addressing the imbalances 😁
Thank you for using the dirty word: "capitalism"!
My step-brother who is a successful lawyer working in L.A. making very good moulah, living in Beverly Hills, yet will say ... "I am no capitalist:"... What the .....?!
This celebration of capitalism borders on religious ideology (or propaganda). If the “free market” is so glorious let’s do it without government subsidies.
So you are a bitter old communist. Move to China.