Pure capitalism grades on a curve, winners and losers. It does not care about equality. It cares a lot about... who's yer Daddy or in Corporate circles even "what school did you go to?"
Only a fool, IMHO, thinks laissez-faire Ayn Rand Charles Koch capitalism supports a "meritocracy." It is gamed by the strong, for the strong, vs. the weak. Vertical and horizontal imperfect colluding from telecom to mega aggies, to pharma too. Keeping merited competitors from the troughs.
I say this based on working through college from 17 years old, in a 40+ year career in or for private corporations, most of whom were battling with regulators or in courtrooms to drive competition away rather than win on value.
A blended system, regulated stakeholder capitalism, good, well funded government, works best for the most people. A blend of socialism and free markets with plenty of competition, on level playing fields.
Oh BTW, the constitution we were discussing begins with "WE THE PEOPLE." Not "RUGGED INDIVIDUAL WINNERS." |
