If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.

T O P I C     R E V I E W
reechee	Pope Francis is once again shaking things up in the Catholic Church. On Tuesday, he issued his first “apostolic exhortation,” declaring a new enemy for the Catholic Church: modern capitalism. “Some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world,” he wrote. “This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power and in the sacralized workings of the prevailing economic system.” He couldn't be much clearer. The pope has taken a firm political stance against right-leaning, pro-free market economic policies, and his condemnation appears to be largely pointed at Europe and the United States. His explicit reference to “trickle-down” economic policies—the hallmark of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and their political successors—is just the beginning: Throughout 224 pages on the future of the Church, he condemns income inequality, “the culture of prosperity,” and “a financial system which rules rather than serves.” For more: http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/11/the-pope-has-declared-a-new-enemy-capitalism/281874/ ------------------ Manufacture or perish.
BeWare	"declaring a new enemy for the Catholic Church: modern capitalism". So where do you stand? Do you agree with him? The big three are Capitalism, Socialism or Communism. Which would you prefer for the USA? This message has been edited by BeWare on 11-26-2013 at 06:19 PM
beachcat	I agree with him. Modern capitalism will be the downfall of all religions. Capitalism begats the technology that will eventually expose religion for the rubbish that it is.
attyedhall	capitalism may well have intrinsic goals that are at odds with most religious teachings. but of the different forms of government...capitalism works best for some countries....but not for all....countries need to go through a continuim of forms of government before capitalism will work...for example...capitalism would fail miserably in say...afghanistan....somalia and other countries that are simply no equipped to deal with the pitfalls of capitalism. in pure capitalism...there must be freedom of markets...freedom to succeed...and the freedom to fail...it is in those failures that breeds ultimate success....for some...but not for all we are moving away from capitalism...by putting artificial barriers to free markets....so to compare us to pure capitalism would not be a fair comparison. most religions are based on "social justice"...ignoring the axioms of a free market... so the pope may be right in his point....but that does not mean that capitalism is bad....perhaps just the contrary.
silverkat	quote: Originally posted by BeWare: "declaring a new enemy for the Catholic Church: modern capitalism". So where do you stand? Do you agree with him? The big three are Capitalism, Socialism or Communism. Which would you prefer for the USA? I'll take Capitalism any day. I long for the day that we should be so lucky to have someone like the great Ronald Reagan president again. I feel he was one of the greatest presidents this country has ever had.
padroo	Capitalism is dangerous. Guess who wrote this quote. “I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.” This is ancient history now but have things really changed. You have to keep a dangerous dog on a leash or pay the price.