17
Americans Less Fond Of Capitalism When It Actually Happens To Them
"We need to do a better job of explaining the economic system in the United States and how it is working. We have been looking at anecdotal information that there was a misunderstanding of capitalism."
-Stan Anderson of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce discusses the results of a poll by his organization showing that only 57% of Americans have a favorable view of capitalism. It seems fairly obvious to suggest that it is just as likely that the misunderstanding is occurring on the part of those 57% who still approve, but that would be crazy socialist talk.
Perhaps The Chamber would like to dispatch one of their Rand Corporationâ„¢ Quadrotorsâ„¢ to inoculate my unfortunate misunderstanding with a Favorablism Dartâ„¢.
The Chamber of Commerce is unaware, I suppose, that one of the greatest proponents of vigilance over big corporations was a certain … drum roll … Adam Smith.
Or maybe they're not unaware. It's just that their interest is to make sure that big corporations remain a kind of ascendancy, which is not really a requirement of capitalism.
A lot of what's happening here is a conflation of capitalism and corporatism! Capitalism does not mean using tax dollars to give handouts to corporations, despite what "pro-business" Republicans might claim.
"Who's Adam Smith? Did he intern with Milt Friedman, or something?"
Translation: "We need to put out more bullshit propaganda so Congress will be too scared to pass any financial or environmental regulations whatsoever."
Click Here, Tell the Senate to Oppose Obama's Latest Big Labor Scheme
The Awl Needs the ClickThrus
"firefighters and police would be forced to join a UNION! -even in Right To Work states!"
-GASP, Sparky whines, covers Dalmatian eyes with both paws-
STANDERSON!
I used to work at the US Chamber of Commerce and it is a cesspool. I had one bitter coworker who responded the only way she knew how: by taking a dump on top of the toilet seat every afternoon around 3 PM. This act of petty rebellion sums up my feelings towards the Chamber perfectly. What can I say, I needed a job. (and no, it wasn't me)
I would literally sit all day and listen to stories from when you worked for the US Chamber of Commerce. Truth.
And I would tell them! Once, in all staff meeting in front of several hundred people, someone wrote in a note demanding to know why we didn't have a higher quality toilet paper in our restrooms.
Why are all my stories bathroom related?? Freud knows.
-pulling up a chair-
Did you hear about that DC Judge who sued the dry cleaners for $65 million for losing his pants (even though they then found them)? The Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform held a fundraiser for the dry cleaners. And the PANTS were the Guest of Honor, on stage, between two security guards. People got drunk and took their pictures with the pants. I was so jealous.
pants!
Crantastical? Either you need to pitch a column to the Awl (I think it would be great for autumn!), or we need to get a drink. The USCC, for some unknown reason, is to me just the funniest bureaucratic punchline! I am dying over here.
"That discomfort you're feeling is capitalism WORKING."
I'd be willing to bet that confusion about capitalism is not limited to either group.
You've heard it folks! If you hate your life, it's only because Stan Anderson did not get around to explaining it to you yet.