Some folks have often pondered why can't people be happy with what they need? They just go after what they want, even when it hurts the little guy. Some folks also saw why do we need 20 companies all with the exact same product? Still they go on to say that commerce is a giant paper chase and capitalism is a trap, which started on the day the first coin was stamped.

Okay let us take this premise and discuss it as many people have asked this same question. Here are my thoughts, now then I side with the Entrepreneur in this case or at least so far I concur with that view, but I am open and some folks do in fact bring up many points of our consumption and consumerism issues here in the United States. Well, it is an innate characteristic of mankind to go after what he desires. And to that point it is a major motivator and driver of mankind. Having many companies competing means they must become more and more efficient and that in itself is of supreme value to the forward progression in that it makes those strive to be better and in doing so benefits the whole. "Greed is good" is not my personal battle cry, however human intent and the human spirit are of value. These maybe the only true redeeming single characteristics, which are truly worthy? Others might say love, etc.

As far as the trap it has been argued by many who are against capitalism that it causes a downward spiral from an impossible rat race, however totally free markets without intervention are in fact worthy and if run completely free and level paying field you will find great efficiencies, innovation and benefits to the world. There are so many great examples, I cannot even begin to mention.

If we look at other types of human structures of civilization we see less striving in the forward progression. When we allow for the uses of mankind's innate characteristics we are rewarded, when we deny them we fail. I.E. not allowing Catholic Priest to marry and denying them an innate characteristic or need of their genes. All men will live or die to achieve their desires or fulfillment of their genes. They always do in the end and therefore their actions are quite predictable. It is therefore not capitalism's fault for what you believe to be wrong here.

Consumer choice and competition in markets (free market-really free, not pretend to be free markets) makes us stronger. Capitalism brings the individual up and communism forces them down. Any thing in between is only a transition between extreme.

Some might say that one of everything is best and too much is not good, because it causes cheating in markets and that hurts everyone. The folks point of the best serving the niche and therefore less making the same product, yes in the beginning that would be more efficient, but then stagnation would set in eventually. And then over time what is good for General Motors is no longer good for America, because they fail to adapt and better themselves, Same with steel industry, airlines, defense contractors, road builders, etc.

If you take these comments of many folks further to let us say issues with over abundance and too much efficiency and therefore less labor needed, this is coming as we currently are over producing for our middle class, both in debt, income and needs as these folks state. So the answer to such economic questions in the past was to have higher growth in human buyers (population) than the GDP ratios. Problem is we already have too many folks out there and water supplies, etc are becoming an issue with populations soon expected to be 20 Billion, can the Earth support it? Yes and no, not the way we currently do things. However leave it to the entrepreneurs and we will figure it out and using our desires for more and more efficiencies we will get it done whether it comes to absolute crisis or not.

Let's continue this conversation as folks often bring up some awfully good points and recently I had a conversation with a gentleman in Flagstaff AZ at a coffee shop who was an Edgar Casey Follower of sorts and had mentioned this same argument; Sustainable growth thru capitalism; is it really possible or are we digging a hole we cannot get out of?

These folks who make these statements reiterate what he has said and re-brought this subject to the attention of a recent Think Tank, I was at and it is certainly worthy of discussion, because there are issue afoot that threaten the future of all we are and all we have built and we need not collapse economies when a solution is so close. It is all workable and doable if honest and free markets can prevail, I am quite certain of that.

Now then there are thoughts in the case of too many people are out of work, because in the future we may not be as consumer driven and most things can be made or services can be accomplished by robotics not people, less people working. There are solutions to that issue. We live in a free nation and we are allowed to pursue happiness, if happiness to some means consumerism, who am I to question their beliefs? They are free peoples. If there is a problem with that; truly it is the individual not the businessman. If the mass media bombardment is what drives them then it is the individual who has surrendered their mind, by choice, failing to think and work thru their issues of what they really desire in life. So you folks bring up an interesting issue, which many tend to agree with, I am simply not one of them. Think on this.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?