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Economy
In reply to the discussion: Weekend Economists Deck the Halls Christmas Day 2013 [View all]Demeter
(85,373 posts)26. Market Participation, aka Shopping, as a Toll of Neoliberalism: Obamacare as Case Study
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/12/market-participation-aka-shopping-toll-neoliberalism-obamacare-case-study.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29
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I suspect the neoliberals beliefs are somewhat different: that markets are so inherently wonderful at solving problems that they can take over a lot of the problems and issues that were formerly fought over in the political arena. And people like shopping, right?
Well, Im one of those people who hates shopping and regards it as a tax on my time, even in settings where effort has been made to make it pleasurable. When the stores are well organized and the wares are narrowly focused and attractive (as an example, Im thinking of a small store that sells attractive occasion and greeting cards), its a tolerable exercise. By contrast, who enjoys buying financial products? Even in the best of circumstances, you are making a bet on your future in some way (what do I think the markets will do? How much of this risk should I insure). Unless you have nerves of steel or a crystal ball, its hard to suppress the feeling of anxiety that events can play out in a way that will prove your choice to have been a lousy one.
And Obamacare is proving to be a very costly shopping experience, if you think your time has any value. And this isnt a matter of website glitches, although those make matters worse....
BLOW BY BLOW ACCOUNT FOLLOWS
...
I suspect the neoliberals beliefs are somewhat different: that markets are so inherently wonderful at solving problems that they can take over a lot of the problems and issues that were formerly fought over in the political arena. And people like shopping, right?
Well, Im one of those people who hates shopping and regards it as a tax on my time, even in settings where effort has been made to make it pleasurable. When the stores are well organized and the wares are narrowly focused and attractive (as an example, Im thinking of a small store that sells attractive occasion and greeting cards), its a tolerable exercise. By contrast, who enjoys buying financial products? Even in the best of circumstances, you are making a bet on your future in some way (what do I think the markets will do? How much of this risk should I insure). Unless you have nerves of steel or a crystal ball, its hard to suppress the feeling of anxiety that events can play out in a way that will prove your choice to have been a lousy one.
And Obamacare is proving to be a very costly shopping experience, if you think your time has any value. And this isnt a matter of website glitches, although those make matters worse....
BLOW BY BLOW ACCOUNT FOLLOWS
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