The Evils of Capitalism

Over at The Elephant Bar some Euro (in the comments) was decrying the evil capitalists in America who were being mean to the poor.

1BigMac1 said...

American capitalists thus prefer highest poverty rate, most poisoned environment, highest level of illeteracy, highest murder rate and lowest average life expectancy of all industrialised countries -

I prefer the social balance model and live longer - thanks!

My reply revised and extended:

The poverty rate in America is terrible.

The lowest income group in America, Blacks, have a purchacing power parity income equal to the average Swede.

Of the bottom 20% families - 1/2 own houses and 90% own cars. Half own two color TVs. There is an obesity problem among the American poor. I guess we are going to need more free gyms to go along with the free food. LOL.

So yeah. Poverty in America is the pits. And our evil capitalist economy is producing jobs at an astounding rate. So great that about 3 to 5 million Mexican workers and some of their families have come here against the wishes of many. Now the Mexicans do depress wages. OTOH that is 3 million Mexican familes or more who have had their lives eased.

Last year the American economy grew by $400 bn. Despite the waste of the war in Iraq (I believe a necessary waste - but that is another story). How is European growth? About 1/2 that or less. Without the job production.

And how about the French intifada? No jobs to keep the kids occupied so they are burning down the country. Everything has its price. Perhaps the evil capitalist model by producing jobs is helping to increase total income and also keep the peace.

Most poisoned environment? That would be the Soviet Union or China. The Los Angeles Basin air is greatly improved. Chicago air no longer looks green as you enter the city etc. America is actually much cleaner than when I was 30. If we are not as good as we ought to be we are much better than we were. In addition we have actually done much better Kyoto wise than most of Europe despite not being a signer of the treaty.

Did I mention that the American economy and population is growing at a rate that makes our welfare system sustainable (for now). The European population is shrinking.