One Does Not Earn A Billion Dollars

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[–][deleted] 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

If someone creates a more ethical Amazon I will shop there and spend 10% more. Co-ops and not-for-profits are the answer imo, no laws need to change, there are many successful examples.

[–]Five 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

As an entrepreneur, I'd like to hold on to capitalism. Thanks.

I'm for reducing government involvement in our lives. Not increasing it.

However, I would be open to a more equitable distribution of company shares amongst the staff who play a role in the growth of said company. If anything, a law forcing business to allocate up to 50% of shares to staff, would probably be enough to better distribute the wealth generated.

[–]whistlepig 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The irony is that we are all entrepreneurs regardless of whether we use a foreign sounding word to describe it or not. We all market and sell our time and services to others. Just because some prefer to think of themselves as dependent unthinking wage slaves doesn't change that fact.

On a side note.. I don't think many people would be interested in being compensated with shares. Most would be pretty unhappy if their earnings went down because a couple big clients walked. That's why they get "jobs" rather than do what you do. ;]

[–]Vigte 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Speaking as someone who cancelled their "amazon prime 30 day free trial" before it ended - and "somehow" still got charged, I can confirm this is true.

[–]EndlessSunflowers[S] 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (23 children)

It's a damn disgrace that a bunch of selfish rich assholes have convinced millions of weak minds that capitalism is a desirable way to live... fuck that noise!
People whine and cry about Marxists but don't have enough sense to see that WE ALL SHOULD own the means of production,
it should not belong to one person, or one small group of ceos or board members. How do people not see the manipulation??

[–]polync 12 insightful - 7 fun12 insightful - 6 fun13 insightful - 7 fun -  (9 children)

Could you donate your laptop or mobile you’ve used to write your comment to us, your fellow human beings? After all those are the tools of comment production...

[–]insta 9 insightful - 4 fun9 insightful - 3 fun10 insightful - 4 fun -  (0 children)

Get ready for a bullshit explanation that things they own and want to keep is personal property but things they don't own and want is private property.

[–]jet199 5 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 0 fun6 insightful - 1 fun -  (7 children)

It's a good point though that the means of production in many industries is the computer and most people do indeed have their own one day at home.

What means of production should be in communal ownership? In Marx's time he meant the big factories with big clunking machinery. Today most of that is small scale, people can have these things in their garages and in the developing world where much of our stuff is made that's often the case. Is the state going to go into these people's home and take their livelihoods for the good of the masses?

[–][deleted]  (6 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Druullus 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    Don't the masses already consume most of the goods and services?

    What's stopping you/anyone else from running/investing in companies and foregoing dividends/bonuses/high salaries etc, and instead cut prices/increase wages for the workers?

    [–]whistlepig 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

    People attempting to have more say/control over their lively hood is normal and everyday.

    I disagree with this assumption. I'd like to believe you are right about this, but the masses have been really banging me over the head with the fact that a lot of them strongly disagree and I've had to come to terms with this sad fact. In short... I see a lot of people looking to have less say and control over their lives.

    The obvious example in the present is all the people who want governments to force them to take measures to avoid covid rather than to do it on their own. But really, you can say this about all victimless crimes. The unfortunate fact is that many people are inclined to want someone else to tell them what to do.

    [–]jet199 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

    I don't see anything wrong with people wanting an easy life.

    Running a company is a skill like any other and comes with a lot of stress. Of course most people don't want to have to take on that responsibility on top of doing their normal job, they aren't crazy.

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    Fair point.

    I guess the problem for me is the inclination to not be aware that that is what they are doing and also the odd ignorance of their being any other way and wanting to force everyone else to do the same.

    [–]jet199 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

    I saw a guy the other day saying him and all his siblings went into the corporate world because his parents had been business owners and and watching what they went through put them off for life.

    [–]ReeferMadness 10 insightful - 1 fun10 insightful - 0 fun11 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

    It's a damn disgrace that a bunch of communist professors have brainwashed so many weak minds to think that "this time" communism/socialism will work.

    You have every right to own the means of production under capitalism, provided that YOU CREATE THOSE MEANS!

    Your envy of the rich does not justify stealing their machines.

    And no, they do not steal wages by employing people. That is fucking retarded. They buy labor, just as you can buy labor. They bought the means of production just as you can buy the means of production.

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

    provided that YOU CREATE THOSE MEANS!

    and we all already have the means to do so...

    [–]ReeferMadness 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

    Not only do you lack the money, but also the intelligence, the know how, the character, the guidance, the wisdom, and the motivation.

    Case in point: what is your buisness plan? You could have done all the research for free already. With a buisness plan you would know exactly how much startup money you need. You would already have the data to go to a bank, or an investor and present the evidence for the solvency of your venture, projected returns, etc.

    But you don't have one because people like you are full of shit. Always the same retarded belief that rich people just buy all the shit you don't have and that is why they are rich. Pure ignorance bathed in arrogance. That is not how any of this works.

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    Not sure what you think I meant... but it is probably not what I meant. I was agreeing with you and adding to it with enthusiasm by being rather redundant and tongue and cheek by saying that we all have the means to "create those means". I expect it was my fault for being too vague. Some things make more sense when said in person within context than they do as ASCII text with an unknown amount of time separating the comments.

    also, I already run my own business ;]

    [–]ReeferMadness 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    I apologize. Every time I try to have a conversation on this topic it ends with claims that the only think holding everyone back is their lack of privilege. I thought you were being sarcastic.

    What irks me is not that people believe that drivel, but that it holds them back. It's not just an excuse, it's a demoralizing, defeating barrier to improvement. If not for being stopped dead in their tracks many of these people would take the time to dream about owning a buisness. Over time they would develop ideas, explore buisness practices, learn about the details and difficulties. They would learn to respect entrepreneurs instead of enving and despising them. And some of them would actually be prepared when they get the opportunity to find their nich.

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    111% agree. And to add to what you're saying... even if they don't start their own "business", just understanding that even as an employee they are in effect a "business" selling their time, knowledge and services, which will go miles and miles to helping them understand how they can search for and achieve their goals even within the normal job market. I mean, a job is just another word for a client contract. But far too many insist on thinking of themselves only as victims and give up without even trying. It is quite sad.

    [–]UnexpectedTransmissi 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    The people who should own the productive factory are the ones that created it... Because they know what the hell they're doing and are involved in the process.

    [–]Druullus 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

    How do we all own the means of production?

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

    How do we not own our own means of production?

    Or are you asking how do we all own everyone else's means of production?

    [–]Druullus 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

    Who would call the shots?

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    You call the shots for what you own, and not for what you don't own.. in regards to this discussion... that would mean you call the shots for your own means of production and do not call the shots for other people's means of production.

    [–]Druullus 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    No corporations etc?

    [–]whistlepig 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    I own the means of my production. I'm confused as to why you gave yours away?

    [–]Nightjar 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

    Once in a century plague comes along. Company exists because founder and original employees created company that let's everybody stay home, order goods, and not die. Company is very successful as a result and founder and original employees because very wealthy.

    Late State Capitalism: Fuck these people.

    [–]Druullus 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    What do you mean by Late State Capitalism

    Fuck what people, and why?