Pope Francis speaks on the 'tyranny' of unbridaled Capitalsim.

[bdreason]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/11/26/pope-franciss-stinging-critique-of-capitalism/

Since Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became Pope Francis in March, the new pontiff has made headlines around the world for his emphasis on social and economic equality. The first major document of his papacy, released today, is no different. Though framed as a call for Catholics to embrace a new evangelization, much of “Evangelii Gaudium” is relevant to both Catholics and non-Catholics — especially the pope’s stinging critique of the unequal economy that we live in. He writes:


"Just as the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say “thou shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills. How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? This is a case of exclusion. Can we continue to stand by when food is thrown away while people are starving? This is a case of inequality. Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape."


Trickle-down economics comes in for a hiding, as does the market:


[I]"In this context, some people continue to defend trickle-down theories which assume that economic growth, encouraged by a free market, will inevitably succeed in bringing about greater justice and inclusiveness in the world. This opinion, which has never been confirmed by the facts, expresses a crude and na

[rufuspaul]

This Pope is saying all the right things. He'll probably get whacked by the Vatican old school.

[OldSkoolball#52]

Religious devotion is waning throughout the developed world (ie rich) and thriving in the developing world (poor).

The church seems poised to swoop in and position itself as "global champion of the poor" in rhetoric, purposely proagating a class war so it can convince its base to follow them and give them more power under the guise of being an economic "rescuer." Not that the church hasnt always espoused care for the poor, but usually when there are rich coffers to shmooze theyre careful not to be too divisive about it. I think theyre realizing where their future base will come from, and are poised to position themselves as political heroes for the worlds poor, for largely self serving purposes.

They may want to consult with some senior Democrats on execution of this strategy.

[bdreason]

Religious devotion is waning throughout the developed world (ie rich) and thriving in the developing world (poor).

The church seems poised to swoop in and position itself as "global champion of the poor" in rhetoric, purposely proagating a class war so it can convince its base to follow them and give them more power under the guise of being an economic "rescuer." Not that the church hasnt always espoused care for the poor, but usually when there are rich coffers to shmooze theyre careful not to be too divisive about it. I think theyre realizing where their future base will come from, and are poised to position themselves as political heroes for the worlds poor, for largely self serving purposes.

They may want to consult with some senior Democrats on execution of this strategy.


I hate to break it to you bud, but you are the poor.

[OldSkoolball#52]

I hate to break it to you bud, but you are the poor.


Oh? How so?

[Dresta]

He wants a return to the feudal system where the priest would take 10% of everything. Of course the Pope would malign the economic system that dragged the human being out from under the foot of the church and monarch, and allowed him to stand upon his own two feet. This is particularly telling:

'Consequently, they reject the right of states, charged with vigilance for the common good, to exercise any form of control.'

Coming from the man who claimed the capitalist economics system is 'sacrilized' this is astounding (lol how can this guy claim anyone else sacrilizes anything?). He is simply 'sacrilizing' the inane belief that the state (and the politicians that run it) work for the common-weal, rather than taking from the common-wealth. If he wants to talk about 'facts' he should note that the facts have shown the former to never be the case, and the latter to always be the case. He should know this, considering the church has combined with the state to reign misery down upon ordinary people all throughout history. This is the same church that repudiated the printing press to stop people from reading its doctrines and making up its own mind. He's bemoaning 'competition' because he doesn't want those in the 3rd world who still believe his bullshit to go the same way as the West. And it's funny he moans about competition being the cause of our problems when it is the exact opposite: quasi-monopolistic forces combining with state power to control the markets - we are so far away from free competition that his comments are laughably ignorant.

They just want to drag everyone back into poverty and misery so they can start preaching salvation and have people listen to them again. Maybe they should give some of their vast wealth to the poor - ****ing wankers.

[OldSkoolball#52]

He wants a return to the feudal system where the priest would take 10% of everything.


So few people (at least on the left) realize that feudalism is exactly what you have without capitalism. You cant own land, you cant keep your money, you simply work the job youre given and pay the revenue (taxes) to the manor (government) to "protect" you.

Capitalism puts you in charge of yourself. Is everyone capable of making it to the top? No. But there is no system wherein everyone is at the top. And in EVERY system, someone is at the top. Its just a matter of how it's decided. By the will of the market or by force. Take your pick. Feudal systems result in a lot more nepotism, favoritism, and deck-stacking than capitalist ones.

Do a lot of people become wealthy through capitalism? Yes. What business is it of anyone elses? Oh, right, THEY ARE JELLY.

Basically, the losers who complain about capitalism and freedom arent considering the alternatives thoroughly, or simply know they cant hack it on their own. Straight up.