newbie on Participatory Economics

Doyle Saylor djsaylor at ix.netcom.com
Mon Jul 20 19:11:21 PDT 1998


Hello everyone,

Scott Simpson asks the question:

"This is probably a stupid question, but who are the "elite few?" I hear this term tossed around constantly, or in other contexts as the powerful, but has nayone compiled a list of these individuals and what their crimes against society are? I ask this as a businessman and socialist. Is really people that need to be trageted are just the insitutional arrangements of capitalist society? There is a big difference in how one appraoches resolution to capitalistic externalities."

Doyle The answer my friend is blowing in the electrons. It whispers 'the owners of the means of production'. The ten percent (or .5%) at the very top. The institutional arrangements are vital of course, but they are operated by individuals who move in their self interest. Not every business person is a pest, an uncaring barbarian, a parasite (to whom worthies you refer to a list of crimes to be constructed). My God man who has the money to record these things and how could we do that when we have to make a living too?), nor is every worker a just so nice, and decent person. It is right to not view these things as 'moral' truths which are carried in the hearts of everyone in a class position. Of course there are differences on how one approaches resolution of capitalistic externalities. But then if you are on this list you would advance everyone's understanding by saying what you think "ought to be done" about capitalistic externalities. The response is what educates. Not everyone agrees here. Sometimes you hear the growl of barbarians, of righteousness, or fools. The voice of the people in a select space. regards, Doyle Saylor



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