- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Here is one. (Warning: Stoller, do not read!!! Anecdotal evidence contained herein!)

In Reply to: I'd love to know how I could prosper in capitalism without being deceitful, manipulative, authoritarian and nasty posted by Lark on January 12, 19100 at 14:55:34:

: I'd love to know how I could prosper in capitalism without being deceitful, manipulative, authoritarian and nasty. I just cant think it can be done.

Here is one:
My father grew up in a poor French Canadian family on a farm. For those of you who may not know, French Canadians were discriminated against in the same way that African Americans were discriminated against before (and after) the civil rights movement. He had nine brothers and sisters and they all lived in a small house. His father was a carpenter and his mother a nurse. They were very poor and he went to an awful school. He had to work all year round on the farm which did not leave him much time for school work. He took an interest in machines and became quite knowledgeable with cars and engines. As soon as he graduated from high school he went to Ontario to work in an automotive company as a tool and die worker, while teaching himself english. He was very intelligent, just not well educated, and through hard work he was able to work his way up the ladder. He taught himself different production techniques and managerial skills. He continued to educate himself until he was offered a job in Kentucky with Magna to be plant manager of one of their factories. He has constantly been improving his situation. He has never compromised any of his principles, and in fact, last year he quit his job as VP of manufacturing at Davis Tool because he had seen his boss lie to some temps at a meeting about whether they would be given full time jobs.
So, although many on this board do not like anecdotal evidence, this is just one example of how you can make it in capitalism without being a cheat, manipulator, lier, or authoritarian.

Follow Ups:

• lets not all pretend it's all above board and regular Lark January 14 19100 (1)
  • Making jobs better David USA January 16 19100 (0)
• The point is, however, capitalism makes it difficult to maintain principles. Nikhil Jaikumar DSA MA, USA January 13 19100 (1)
  • Change for the better. David USA January 14 19100 (0)