The US has turned capitalism into a religion.
Consider the following: /1
Consider the following: /1
If you even dare suggest that "free markets" need to be regulated, you now get a lecture on how "socialism doesn't work" - as if regulation is a unique feature of socialism (it isn't). /2
If you question whether certain fields should be profit making ventures (healthcare, education come to mind), you get lectured on how private enterprise is "more efficient". /3
There is this notion that the "free market" is self-correcting - that somehow all the market will always "balance out" in a reasonable way. (The "Invisible Hand" - Adam Smith investopedia.com/terms/i/invisi… ) /4
Smith's invisible hand concept relies on the assumption that all individuals in a market are neutral players willing to make reasonable decisions. /5
However, today, we have more "The Will of the Invisible Hand" being exerted, as ever more powerful players try to bend the market to their desires. (e.g. OPEC+, for one) /6
This is very much a religious construct which claims the idea that if it was not "meant to be", the current price war over oil simply wouldn't be happening.
Yet, it clearly is, and it will require major political interventions to end it. /7
Yet, it clearly is, and it will require major political interventions to end it. /7
In the midst of a massive pandemic, of a scale of ferocity which we haven't seen since the 1918 Spanish Flu, we are now being told to "end lockdown" because of the economy. /8
Literally, the people making this argument are willing to sacrifice the lives of others to the intangible idea of the "good of the economy".
Some have gone so far as to suggest that the deaths of the elderly and vulnerable are an acceptable sacrifice to make. /9
Some have gone so far as to suggest that the deaths of the elderly and vulnerable are an acceptable sacrifice to make. /9
Stew on that for a few moments. They are literally arguing for human sacrifices to be made to "The Economy".
Sound familiar? /10
Sound familiar? /10
It should - human sacrifice is a common feature of religions. The idea of killing someone else so that a deity will be satisfied with you (and perhaps deliver some benefit). /11
So, not only have we elevated the Economy to a status above humanity, but it has apparently developed a will of its own, and now it demands the blood of our peers to satisfy it.
One does not dare question the wisdom of the vaunted priests of the Economy - politicians /12 ~fin~
One does not dare question the wisdom of the vaunted priests of the Economy - politicians /12 ~fin~
