A debate on Capitalism

 A great essay but nothing that a 17 year old economics student could not write at school. The problems has been compounded by greed from individuals, companies and governments and the need/desire/want/political gain you aim for.

What is now required is a solution or solutions that will ease the pain financially before it starts to trickle down through society and we all become poorer. Not just in the financial sense but health wise. Only time will tell which of the many formats that are being used will be the 'best'.

I´d say the fact that I won´t be able to retire until I´m 69 is fairly compelling evidence that it already has trickled down through society. My wife would agree. She´s a public sector school teacher who had her wages slashed 10% last year. Funny how she was forced to take a wage cut and yet our bank wasn´t made to reduce our mortgage repayments by a similar amount.

Orinoco, your post @ 00.51 has it spot on. I feel serious civil unrest is very close.

Dear All,

perhaps we wont wait for the referendum?

perhaps the masses will speak?

how long have I got?

but first you have got to stop them watching others hitting, kicking, poking and tapping balls about the place.

Regards

Norman

1. The Catholic Bank
2. The Protestant Bank

If only the unrest could be organised and civilised with a structure and plan for realistic reform that everyone recognises is important to Spain's future wellbeing, with accountability and transparency high on the agenda. Politicians at all levels with self interests have to be made more accountable and need to be more in touch with their citizens. And citizens have the power to effect this through well organised (but civilised) campaigns if only they realised it.

It is possible if those with good intellect and fair ethical standards could come to the fore and influence change based on the best of political systems elsewhere in the world. Why is it that we never learn from others and our own mistakes and implement well tested solutions? Why keep reinventing the wheel and change from one bad egg to another? A small example is within the legal system where regulation has been proven to work and benefit citizens. Are there people standing in the sidelines of the political scene with such qualities, able to do this do you think? Are there obvious candidates from, for instance, industry and academia in Spain who recognise the realities and have the necessary knowledge to effect reform? To stand outside the box, so to speak, and co-ordinate a workable balanced system

On a positive note it could be the longer term making of Spain. It's time for the citizens to stand firm together and seek a workable system instead of the chaotic and unregulated mess that exists to day. Spaniards should be encouraged to feel empowered through action, but action that does not cause more damage to the economy. It's a fine line that requires skilled and knowledgeable individuals to lead...... but it is possible if good and able and more importantly trusted minds came together, isn't it?

Sorry Ads,

unfortunately not, it defies human nature in the main.

we need saints to lead us and they are very thin on the ground.

"but it is possible if good and able and more importantly trusted minds came together, isn't it?"

you need to start a new political party where sinners are banned.

currently they will not even accept responsibility let alone resign without a big push.

Regards

Norman

1. Dictatorship, a country/area of the world controlled by one person – good or bad.
2. Communism, a country/area of the world controlled by one person under the guise of equality and social recognition for the people.
3. Capitalism, countries and areas of the world controlled by many wealthy dictators.
4. Coalitions/Committees, in essence the most logical and fair way to control, however, totally impractical as usually there is much debate and little positive action.

Well,

is that not a fool's paradise????

don't we have millions of refugees driven off their land by gun-toting thugs of one sort or another?

I think you need protection with a big deterrent.

Regards

Norman

How true.....

By the way I love the idea of a sinners are banned party, ha!

On a more serious note, if good regulation and enforcement was in place then that would curtail the sinners to a degree....... it's getting the right and fair regulation in place (worldwide) that's the difficult bit. The benchmark for a more civilised approach. For instance there is a world justice project  that looks interesting. http://worldjusticeproject.org/

It' isn't rocket science however, just  vision and belief with good intellectual but practical minds to make it happen..... I live in hope of the younger generation mobilising themselves alongside those with experience and firsthand knowledge, picking the brains from all areas of industry and academia......a people's think tank to put right the wrongs! Ever the optimist!

Dear All,

Sorry that wont wash either!!!!!!!

Family.......what family............half the population hate their family but love their friends or cats and dogs, they can't wait to live apart and become an ex-pat with only occasional contact, sometimes none.

They trudge around the terrain with their faithful doggy at their heels and spend more on vet's bills and doggy sustenance than they do on family presents.

Many even boast of their disdain and how much they spend "skiing" around the world.

and from what I recall he did not even stop "banging" the egg lady until after being found out and embarassed, a bit late to discover the merits of families.

No it will have to be the "Saints" party and a split from this insane EU "family"

But of course I am open to correction.

Regards

Norman

Valeros:

It could be that "Soylent Green" is around the corner.

Patricia

Which half are you in & why ?

Jon

"half the population hate their family"

"Surely these are the words of dictators, what happens to free development, free speech etc…. "

Always the argument used by those who lack faith in a democracy with FAIR constraints in place. Many have commented on human kind being flawed, dog eat dog, etc, well the flaws and dogs when out of control need some constraining in my eyes.

Have a good weekend.

Well,

I am no "skiier" my proposed purchase was for the family to use.

The family is all.

As for widening it .............. well if they were all like Adds etc etc etc and I was of any use to them!!!!!!!

Regards

Norman

Sorry Valeros,

I only intended to criticise those who discard their families in favour of other pursuits.

I admire idealists but worry over their pragmatism.

I think those that formed the EU had little idea of what they were doing and for reasons already outlined on this and other threads believe it to be a disaster as a "family".

I take it that the French and Spanish that you admire are the ordinary citizens not the people they elect, in which we are as one.

I rather doubt that we do much better ourselves though, I wonder how the countries compare in population voting patterns and what the level of disenchantment is?

Regards

Norman

 I think things are liable to get out of hand very quickly. 43% of the young are unemployed. Can you imagine having studied architecture for the best part of a decade, only to graduate and find there is absolutely no work anywhere? To find yourself applying for the most mundane jobs, along with 600 other applicants all desperate for the opportunity to work in a sausage factory on minimum wage. No hope, no future... Spain is a tinderbox. High unemployment, politically corrupt, facing tough austerity measures. It just needs a flashpoint - one over-zealous copper, one accidental death.