Hi: I'd almost rather work in a socialist society. I think that in a socialist society everyone may have a better chance at getting their basic needs met.
I'd almost like to believe in capitalism because of it's promotion of individual achievement, entreprenurial success, invention, imagination, dreams coming true, becoming something from nothing, and living a good life, individual ambition, motivation, faith, persistence, perserverance, and independent wealth. But, my interest in Capitalism stops at greed, selfishness, cutthroat competition, and the idea of stopping for no one or no thing to achieve one's wealth when it means gaining the wealth through the violations and exploitation of others. The human element in attaining wealth and greatness in a humane, decent, honest way, with integrity, and goodwill to humankind seems to have become lost, in Capitalism. If I had tremendous monetary wealth, I'd do my best to provide for the needs of humankind in good humane ways. I think having tremendous monetary wealth is a tremendous responsibility. Many people in our capitalistic society don't seem to know how to or want to manage there monetary wealth well for the good of all, but rather seem to generate more wealth among other wealthy persons only, and not give it to the poor(and what is given to the poor is done by a tax write off, and often distributed through large charitable corporations which take a big cut of the donations to pay the administration, leaving even less for the poor persons the donations were intended for. Also, the extreme amount of paper work involved in receiving charitable donations costs and wastes a lot of everyone's time and energy. Many charitable institutions are really structured poorly.)
I think that each person in America and in the world for this matter ought to have their basic needs met at least. I'd like to see this happen for the world and America. In America, Capitalism as our system, is not meeting this goal, so I think we might need another system. I am willing as an individual to participate in a system which promotes cooperation, compassion, honesty, dignity, integrity, good treatment of self and others, understanding, tolerance, sharing, caring, helping one another and working together etc. I think people would be less concerned with or not concerned with: keeping up with the Jonses, who has the best house, clothes, car etc. who has the "best job", who has the most money, who has the highest social status etc.
I think that these judgements and out of control unhealthy comparisons and competition are all because of Capitalistic types of systems. People start becoming hardened, out for themselves, protection of their own at the expense of others, isolation, withdrawal from society at large, each person with big houses and tall walls around the houses to protect the monetary gains, this is fear of losing all the wealth you've attained. If people all had their basic needs met and were working together cooperatively there wouldn't be these fears and problems or maybe less of them, people would be happily productive and constructive, working towards common goals without having to watch their backs, and one up eachother. I like the idea of a friendly, cooperative community of people rather than a stingy unbalanced just plain wrong Capitalistic type system.
Many of the wealthiest people probably won't even consider a socialist system since they'd have to divide their wealth among all peoples fairly and would no longer be able to squander the greatest percentage of the world's wealth and resources while the rest of the world gets what amounts to squat. I don't think these people controlling all the wealth have really earned much of anything. I certainly wouldn't be proud of controlling most of the wealth in this world where so many people don't even have their basic needs met.
I don't know if a Socialistic system would work or not but I might be willing to give it a shot if it meant everyone in this world could get their basic needs met, and be able to perhaps do work they enjoy and have a good livelihood, family, health and happiness. I question the Socialistic system because I wonder how the government would be monitored and kept honest. I guess by community policing?
I think I'd probably be willing to give a Socialist type system a whirl.
Thanks Shaunasi D. Sprain
P.S.- There's an interesting article, an interview with Bill Gates, in the Sunday March 10, 2002 issue of the Register Guard's Parade "magazine". I think it's kind of interesting to know how Bill Gates views things. I thought he actually had some alright things to say. I still think him and others with all the wealth and resources ought to step things up pronto and make sure everyone has their basic needs met.
I think each individual has the personal responsibility to create a good life for themselves and others in reasonable, sound, decent, kind, humane, ecofriendly ways.