Matt Timmermans This modern economy is based on predatory capitalism -- in pursuing my greed, somehow you benefit! It's kept going by the artificial stimulation -- even creation! -- of desires. It is certainly about taking advantage of someone's relative lack of power -- from buying foreclosed homes to workers' rights (and unions unfairly keeping labor "locked up," for that matter), might makes right. Moreover, it's the whole basis of modern political culture. Why are parking regs relaxed for Christians and Jews but not for Muslims? Why are single people taxed more than two parent households with children? Why do smokers get cigarette breaks but non-smokers have no breaks? Etc. Business in general, but yes, investment banking and venture capitalism. Loan sharking isn't simply about ridiculous rates -- it's about the threat of extra-legal violence. But speaking of ridiculous rates, how about credit cards? And bankruptcy laws -- before and after the recent reforms. It's all about taking advantage of someone else's relative lack of power in the matter. That's what I don't understand about such arguments..."oooh, we have to charge you and arm and a leg, 'cause, heh-heh, what if you don't pay up?" Erm, how about I pay up and keep the arm and leg, boss? Oh, I see -- MY higher rates is ME paying for THAT OTHER GUY'S default! Well, geez, how's that much different from higher taxi rates due to transit strikes, black-outs, etc.? Basically, one has to pay due to circumstances beyond one's control. To wit, it's a multi-trillion-dollar chunk of the economy!! Wait a minute...now who's pro and con our modern economic system? Even I would hesitate to use such a stark division...if anything, it seems that in a free market economy -- such as we aspire towards, anyway, if imperfectly implemented at any given time -- there can be no victims, only, uh, volunteers.
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