Interesting News, Articles & Stuff

[mcscruffy]

Wouldn't leaving your corporate job to start your own business and take control of your labor value inherently be a capitalist action rather than socialist?

I have no dog in this fight beyond reading but I thought that was objectively funny

 

[Bazinga]

Yes. You want business owners to get paid for "risk" instead of work. That's the risk. Boo hoo.



You've never heard, "meet the old boss, same as the old boss"? Every boss wants to pay their workers as little as they can get away with. That's why I posted Wolf's video. He's a teacher, who explains things simply. A valid job, btw. Even if he's a Marxist.

Also, in our shithole country, leaving a job means losing your healthcare. Because your employer controls your access to healthcare.



You're very wrong. I've been self employed for the past 8 years. Prior to that, I was a manager at a fortune 100 Company. Funny enough, learning about socialism is what convinced me to take control over my own labor value. I'm in a lucky position though, so I understand most people can't do this.

I work with mid-sized business owners and corporate executives every single day.



Well, at the very least enough to afford a one bedroom apartment near the job, transportation, and healthcare. If the business scumbag employing them doesn't pay them at least that, they aren't "job creators" they're leeches.

Bazinga. You are a fan of The Expanse. I don't remember if the show discusses this, but the crew of the Rocinante are socialists. They split every dime their ship makes equally among the crew. And they vote democratically on what contracts they take.



The vast majority of people don't have the collateral necessary to take out such a loan either. They won't have that collateral EVER. Are you sure I'm the one who doesn't live in the real world?

You are aware that generally speaking that the greater the risk the greater reward.

I haven't worked in the corporate arena for quite some time. Back then Obama made sure that health insurance was transferable (as long as he new company offered it) and as long as it is the same state. I really don't remember the exact details. Sorry about that. You still had to pay for it and maybe the new company was offering better and cheaper coverage.

Yeah, I got hooked on the Expanse. I could suggest that many shows favor capitalism as well.

I do agree with you on the collateral issue. I was just presenting a general scenario. Many times the factory building and contents (equipment and inventory are used for collateral) and the home remains outside of the equation. I will say some banks will lend you $250,000 if you already have $250,000 at your disposal. I think some banks require you put your kids up for collateral accompanied by your testicles.

And yes I live in the real world (sometimes I wish I didn't) and have negotiated multi million dollar loans. It was actually a little depressing. The company I retired from, over the course of many years, earned revenues of several billion dollars. I was responsible, among other things, for our 401k plan, I installed a partially self insured health plan and many many more corporate and employee related plans. I may be wrong about certain things (just ask my wife) but I am quite experienced and have done just about everything in the business world. Now I never did try to build a pencil factory. BTW- I don't know what I would pay a eraser installer. I would not share my hard earned profits with him/her. However, I would give every effort to pay an appropriate wage that is in fact commensurate with the task at hand. Come to think of it we never paid minimum wage. Remember the old adage - you get what you pay for.

Your original post was clear, I was just attempting to point out what I saw as hypocrisy in your messaging and discussion points.

It seems to me that you are quick to dismiss Wolff and his points because he is a socialist. If not dismissal, possibly a misrepresentation or misunderstanding because I saw the video as being more about how a business owner is stealing from their employees based on the value of their labour vs their remuneration not how much these employees should be paid per se. The argument could be extended to you and your bank loan as you were basically being forced to pay way more than you borrowed I would imagine and as you have highlighted, probably had to put up something of value you own to secure the loan, and for what? To ensure some of those at the bank can “earn” bonuses.

Anyway, if as seems to be case, you are less prepared to accept arguments from socialists, I would be interested to know who you would accept criticism of capitalism from?

Thanks for clearing that up. I dismiss Wolff because I don't subscribe to socialism. Just as many dismiss me because I believe in capitalism. It's okay because I've found there is generally some truth to either side of debate.

Clear this up for me. Are you suggesting that banks lend money sans interest. Oh I accept the criticism of of capitalism. Just look at the posts directed against me. I can accept the criticism but I don't have agree with it. Look, some of those posts have provided excellent compelling information. At the end of the day you won't change my mind and I won't change yours. We can exchange opposing thoughts and ideas without changing our minds on the core disagreement. I'm okay with this. How about you?

 

[sedentree]

Clear this up for me. Are you suggesting that banks lend money sans interest.

No, I am not suggesting that. What I was suggesting is that in your scenario, the bank is like the employer and the loanee is like the employee if we consider what Wolff says about the stealing of labour.

We can exchange opposing thoughts and ideas without changing our minds on the core disagreement. I'm okay with this. How about you?

Absolutely, I think opposing thoughts can be shared between participants in a debate/an argument. I think it can be hard to engage in the discussion when I also believe that many of your opposing points, purposefully or otherwise, are generally not a true response to whatever post you are replying to and that the ideas you postulate could be seen, as I have previously stated, as straw man arguments that do not meaningfully move the conversation along. But that is how I read things, and I should bear in mind that text based discussions are inherently difficult to ascertain tone and so forth.

 

[florduh]

Wouldn't leaving your corporate job to start your own business and take control of your labor value inherently be a capitalist action rather than socialist?

Oh I make that joke all the time! Just saw someone I hadn't run into in a decade. She asked, what's new. I said, well... I became a communist. And a small business owner

To answer your question... a socialist believes workers should receive as close to 100% of the value their labor creates as possible. I make my money from my labor, not by owning capital. The irony here isn't lost on me though!

 

[mcscruffy]

Oh I make that joke all the time! Just saw someone I hadn't run into in a decade. She asked, what's new. I said, well... I became a communist. And a small business owner

To answer your question... a socialist believes workers should receive as close to 100% of the value their labor creates as possible. I make my money from my labor, not by owning capital. The irony here isn't lost on me though!

That's a quite well-rounded reply!

I've enjoyed reading both your and @Bazinga's debate and exchanges. I can honestly say you both are teaching me some things and giving me other things to consider.

I truly appreciate the minimal toxicity!

 

[Bazinga]

Oh I make that joke all the time! Just saw someone I hadn't run into in a decade. She asked, what's new. I said, well... I became a communist. And a small business owner

To answer your question... a socialist believes workers should receive as close to 100% of the value their labor creates as possible. I make my money from my labor, not by owning capital. The irony here isn't lost on me though!

How would we determine value of labor?

 

[florduh]

How would we determine value of labor?

Richard Wolf goes through an example calculation in the video. That's why I posted it!

In short, under capitalism, every worker is paid less than the value they're adding. That's where profit comes from!

 

[vapviking]

This is exhausting.

 

[Bazinga]

This is exhausting.

Tell me about it. I`ve been recovering from 2 medical procedures and have been bored out of my mind. This is why I`ve posted so much lately. I'm amazed how many posters are confrontational because I have a different opinion. I've been accused of all sorts of stuff. Although some posts have been very informative and pleasent. I don't want socialism and have been condemned (fortunately not by everyone) for stating this. If everyone just chilled out we may arrive at a solution together that resolves the social issues that have been a concern for all of us. It amazes me that so many folks favor socialism over capitalism. It is their right to feel this way and I respect that. But geez give me a break. Just trying to start conversations and have people present their views. So, soon I will be be posting much less to the happiness of many here.

I do wish that people take a look at countries that have embraced full socialism. They would see the deleterious effects it has on their citizens. I do receive quite a few articles that support socialism. They are usually generated by a socialist. Not too surprising that they support that construct. I have already stated that some variations of socialism (healthcare for all, etc.) work suitably. On the other hand the theory of income equally leaves a lot to be examined. Utopia doesn't exist. Can someone please tell me where income equality exists and innovation has has not diminished. Don't suggest Cuba. If you think Cuba is the answer I encourage you to visit. Although they do have great old automobiles.