by John Rixey

Created on: May 04, 2010

Pro #1: In Capitalist America, we have plenty of things, including the necessities for life. Even the homeless often have access to the basics. Capitalism is the system we use to get those basic necessities. Good job, capitalism. Good job, super-smart human animals.

Con #1: We are making a whole lot of unnecessary things and/or trash, which is unfortunate not only environmentally, but also aesthetically. There is trash everywhere, for God's sake. There's a giant blob of oil floating towards New Orleans as I type this. The oil for the cars and the bags from the chips are byproducts of a very enthusiastic capitalism. Considering the amount of things a human being needs to simply survive, we seem to be addicted to extra things, provided to us by capitalism.

Pro#2: The free market provides an incentive for innovation in all areas. In some cases, that innovation makes life better and longer for a lot of people.

Con#2: Capitalism was made by people. While it is a big part of our lives, it did not always exist, it is not necessary for survival, and we may all be missing some interesting parts about being here, alive, as these human things because there is so much going on with the drive to work all day in order to possess and consume things that we could easily do without.

Pro#3 and Con#3: The participation in capitalism for most people involves having a plan to get out of their current situation - to move up, of course - maybe to one day never work again. Maybe after the lucky winning lottery ticket or the perfect idea for a new invention or your fantastic singing ability that nobody knows about yet, or a promotion or a risky real estate investment - maybe you'll just sit on a beach somewhere and everyone you like will visit just enough and people will bring you meals and you don't really have to do anything all day long. Just like Jimmy Buffett. And as you climb up the capitalist wall and learn how to make  more money, there are giant corporations studying you, trying to figure out exactly what you'll spend money on if they flash a picture of it in front of you. They get you while you're watching the television they sold you through the magazine. They flash up something they know you'll be watching. Maybe it's a little sailboat. Well, you could get the little sailboat now while you're still working and then upgrade once you finish that novel or when the coffee is too hot and you can finally sue the fast-food place. 

Pro#4 and Con#4: Often, fast food tastes great. Everyone knows its not real food or nutrition, but it provides you with the experience of consumption satisfaction as if you just ate a giant pasta dinner with garlic bread and some milk.

Pro#5: One day, our capitalism will look very different. Maybe one day it will be gone. Maybe civilizations have come and gone and none of them have thought up and gotten so excited over something like we have with capitalism. The Egyptians must have been excited about the pyramids, but this thing we've got going on has required a lot more work and people. One day, future civilizations will try to imagine how we, the Capitalists, produced so many different things and materials, many of which are still in good shape. They will suspect the aliens. They might assume they live on an alien dumpster. So, in terms of significance in some way, way to go, current civilization.

Con#5: Wal-Mart

Keep in mind you could just get out of the system - go self-sufficient - live off the land like people before civilization and capitalism. Well, you'll have to save up for some land first.

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