"I heart capitalism"

[The Backlash Cometh]

Do you think the indoctrination of Creationism is the only thing we have to worry about in public schools? Think again. Maybe we should pay attention to what the economic teachers are teaching the kids in class, because some of the things they're instilling in the kids goes beyond the ABCs of supply and demand. From what I heard from one of my daughter's friends the teacher tells them, "We love capitalism, because it's American." Since I'm not in her class every day, I couldn't tell you if this is an innocent comment of a teacher trying to drum up interest in an otherwise boring course, or if there's a hardcore free marketer at play.

Anyone else spotted anything out of the ordinary?

[Warpy]

1. Aw, we got raised on the same garbage back in the 50s

Capitalism is what made the nation great and capitalism is what made us first world and all those godless commies were poor because they were wrong.

I think the world has to be an all or nothing situation for dimwits. The fact that this country has always had a mixed economy, with some things in the public sphere and some things in the private sphere, is completely lost on dimwits, and a lot of those dimwits write textbooks.

The only argument should be about what belongs in the public sphere and what can be left in the for profit, private sphere.

Dimwits will never get it, though. It's too messy for them.

[Double T]

2. All teachers love free market capitalism;...........

their platinum clad, solid titanium with gold inlay retirement plans are invested in private equity, hedge funds and wall street's corporate ANTI-america stock market. I'm surprised you haven't heard about the 'Pledge of Allegiance to Free Market Capitalism', sponsored by cnbc.

[personman]

3. "Maximize wealth, forgetting all but self"

The credo of capitalism. Unfortunately like most of our institutions, education has long been perverted to serve the interests of power, and produce historically ignorant little worker man-bots. The elite schools are even worse, and the elite culture in general is usually highly indoctrinated

Here is a fun test you can try on your own...find a kid from a wealthy family who went to a private school...say "capitalism is immoral"...brace yourself for...

justify JUSTIFY justify JUSTIFY justify commies suck JUSTIFY justify

:)

We can't teach a scientist or engineer worth a fuck, but we are churning out "little Eichmanns" like nobodies business.
Could be further proof that as our capitalist system destroys the very innovation and prosperity that some credit it for, we will be increasingly forced to rely on monsters in suits (aka politicians and capitalists) to strong arm the world so we can maintain our levels of privilidge.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. "Could be further proof that as our capitalist system destroys the very innovation and prosperity""

This is the main problem I have with our current economic system. Everybody is trying so hard to make money, that it comes before all else. Our community is in shambles because we treat our neighbors as prospects, and if not prospects, victims. And heaven forbid that that neighbor spends time tinkering in his garage during weekdays, trying to discover something innovative. The City Code Enforcement would be on him, as would his neighbors calling him a bum.

[bryant69]

5. Capitalism is pretty great, but I only like it. I don't like like it.

I certainly don't heart it. I'd be willing to liver it, I suppose - or possibly spleen it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Sometimes it's hard to stomach.

[scorpiogirl]

6. Here's an example in regards to a younger child.

My daughter just started first grade and they are already having the kids sell things. It's the giftwrap, chocolate, etc. and it costs way more than it would if you went to buy it in a store. The part that is the most annoying is that they offer the kids prizes based on how many items they sell. I am completely against the idea of having her sell anything in the name of fundraising. I find it inappropriate, but also now my daughter is going to drive me crazy because she wants a prize. The day they hand out the prizes and she gets nothing, I will never hear the end of it. I don't think my six year old should have to make money for the school. I don't think that's exactly, capitalism in the true sense, but it sure is a beginning.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. It is, without question, the beginning.

Next, it's tupperware parties.

[Odin2005]

9. High school civics class are absolute garbage when it comes to this.

The economics portion of my 9th Grade Civics textbook was nothing but pro-corporate BS.

[taught_me_patience]

10. I think Capitalism is great

It has made America great. And I'm all for teaching kids about it.

[Trillo]

11. "We love capitalism, because it's American."

The true function of K-12 becomes evident with that single statement. The earnings of high school graduates without college educations pretty much destroys the idea that K-12 learning has any significant marketplace or capitalistic value.

Take heart. Those children will grow up and learn for themselves the dog-eat-dog nature of the economic system they currently believe is entitled to their love and loyalty.

[misanthrope]

12. Selfishness is the root of all humanity's ills...

...and unfettered capitalism treats that detriment as a virtue.

Capitalism cannot work without a strong ethical base to temper it. Problem is, capitalism also works to undo that ethical base.

[Trillo]

13. Didn't FDR (Franklin D Roosevelt)

say something quite similar?

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Well said.

[KamaAina]

15. Adam Smith was American?

Hmph! Ya learn something every day -- except in our (purposely?) dumbed-down public schools... :dunce:

edit: typos when criticizing education = bad idea.

[Selatius]

16. Adam Smith likely would condemn the state of our markets today. He hated monopolies.

If you look at the market for news, we see a few corporations control the majority of the market. It's a monopoly in as much as outside voices and different opinions are largely ignored or downplayed.

[Selatius]

17. Capitalism has failed, but mixed economic models work.

Not since the Square Deal and the New Deal has capitalism been allowed to be the sole arbiter of distributing resources in society.

The next step in the evolution of world economies is, in my opinion, making workers capable and conscious enough to be able to form worker co-ops collectively for mutual benefit and the survival of all involved, while also fulfilling the need to challenge oneself and be rewarded for the effort put forth be it material rewards or intangible ones or both.