Topix Underground

"..Fun fact: I learned for the first time that Adam Smith's original definition of "free markets" in Wealth of Nations wasn't about freedom from government interference, but rather freedom from rentiers (someone who derives their income from simply owning something).

The irony here is that today's capitalism bears little resemblance to the theory that Smith proposed in that respect; freedom from government interference (e.g. enforcement of anti-trust laws) is what gives rise to monopolies (or rather monopsonies) which invariably become rentiers.

Funny that I've never heard that before in this bastion of capitalism that we call the United States. It's like those who benefit the most from capitalism don't want us to know that! Curiouser and curiouser. 🤔

Another statement that belies the truth: "socialism never took root in America because the poor see themselves not as an exploited proletariat, but as temporarily embarrassed millionaires." This is the lie of the American Dream under capitalism. Unless you're already a millionaire, you are not, nor ever will be, a millionaire. You're just one of the 99% of exploited prols. The system is rigged against your success, and it always has been.

Don't let them exploit you anymore for their profit and amusement. 💪 .."