I'm not one to put Hollywood stars or atheletes on pedestals, but after seeing the movie, "Capitalism: A Love Story," my admiration for Michael Moore has risen. I could be wrong, but I believe his love for America is real. I also believe he loves his fellow Americans....especially the ones in the lower and middle classes who have been neglected and treated unjustly. I'd even go as far as saying that Michael Moore could easily be a modern day saint! I love how he is a simple uneducated man who searches for the truth even when it makes others uncomfortable....and he does it with humor and a "punch" at the same time. He's direct, to the point and in some cases unrelentless with those who are taking advantage of others.
Here are a few of the points made in the movie:
1.)Democracy is more important than Capitalism.
2.) He interviews a couple of Catholic Bishops who indicate that capitalism is morally wrong.
3.)He shows how our capitalistic system has caused Americans to lose their homes as well as their dignity.
4.)Huge corporations are taking out life insurance policies on their young employees hoping for their untimely deaths.... and in these policies, the individuals who do end up dying early are referred to as "dead peasants."
5.)It is the poor who generally lose when the rich and powerful play their money games...i.e. the victims of Katrina
6.)Why don't the employees who lose their jobs, retirements and health insurance get a share of the "bail out" money that the corporations and companies have received... that is being paid by OUR tax money?
There are many strong and bolder points brought up in this documentary, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Since my words can't do Michael Moore's movie justice, take a look at the video I've posted here. More importantly, go see the movie! Whether you agree or disagree with the content, one thing is for sure, you'll feel provoked. We need change in this country and we need it now... before we fall... like the Roman Empire did.
Here are a few of the points made in the movie:
1.)Democracy is more important than Capitalism.
2.) He interviews a couple of Catholic Bishops who indicate that capitalism is morally wrong.
3.)He shows how our capitalistic system has caused Americans to lose their homes as well as their dignity.
4.)Huge corporations are taking out life insurance policies on their young employees hoping for their untimely deaths.... and in these policies, the individuals who do end up dying early are referred to as "dead peasants."
5.)It is the poor who generally lose when the rich and powerful play their money games...i.e. the victims of Katrina
6.)Why don't the employees who lose their jobs, retirements and health insurance get a share of the "bail out" money that the corporations and companies have received... that is being paid by OUR tax money?
There are many strong and bolder points brought up in this documentary, but I don't want to spoil it for you. Since my words can't do Michael Moore's movie justice, take a look at the video I've posted here. More importantly, go see the movie! Whether you agree or disagree with the content, one thing is for sure, you'll feel provoked. We need change in this country and we need it now... before we fall... like the Roman Empire did.
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Kathleen may
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Comments
So where does he get his numbers?
This is what people can't stand about him, twisting the facts.
The main alternative is communism where the government owns all that and individual can't start businesses, own property. They are at the mercy of the government, which, in theory can plan better than the haphazardness of millions of individuals trying to make a buck.
Socialism is a vaguely defined term. It can be defined as communism, it can be defined as a capitalism with a lot of taxation to support social services, such as social security, health care such as Medicare, unemployment, welfare, help for the handicapped. There's no firm line defining when services are generous (or excessive enough, depending on your view) to qualify as socialism.
Communism is a proven failure.
No country has pure capitalism. Basket cases which provide no social services to their citizens tend to be kleptocracies, where success is rewarded by Gov't theft.
All countries, whether or not you label them socialist, need to balance providing incentives for people to work against provide help for those in need. Sure there are arguments on where to draw the line, but it's hardly an issue of big bad capitalism versus good socialism.
Democracy is a political system. It means people get to vote for their government. Democracy is not an economic system.
Moore seems to be simplifying the whole issue to the level of sound bites. It sounds good, but it has all the intellectual depth of a Saturday morning cartoon.
The statistic is concerning "wealth" not income. There is a big difference between the two. The quote in the segment on this piece actually says the "the top 1% have more financial wealth". Now, you stated that "people cant stand him....twisting the facts". When in point of fact, you either did not understand what he said, or you are yourself twisting what he said. It would behoove you to try to listen and understand what Moore said without the bias that clouded your perception. Michael Moore's facts are accurate. "Wealth" is not the same as "income".
Thanks for your take.
Kind of like me (if I was allowed to) taking out fire insurance on my neighbors house and then burning it down. These people have no souls but I find (some) comfort in knowing that karma is a mother fucker.
I hope Moore stays after them and that many many people see the movie and WAKE UP!
The vast majority of US firms are publicly owned, which means share owners get a vote. Yet share owners haven't been effective at getting good governance and avoiding things that don't benefit owners, like poison pills. Why not? How does Moore think "more democracy" will change things?
Currently, citizens vote on issues like taxes and social services. How will "more democracy" make things better?
If his rant is really against money in politics, then let's hear his proposals. But, he needs to address all the types of groups, candidates, PACs, etc, and how he is going to balance free speech with effective limits on political spending.
In short, to make a difference. you need to understand the good and the bad of the current system in detail, not just rail about fat cats.
Go see the movie!
OK, this is me speaking but I'm betting Moore would agree. I admittedly haven't seen the movie, yet. But how about term limits for Congress people for a start? Career politicians become criminals. Is criminals too strong of a word? I don't think so. That's what I call people who take bribes to insure that they better represent corporations than constituents..."we the people". Democracy is about all of us, not just those who can afford to buy lawmakers.
After we have insured that congressmen and women aren't there long enough to become career criminals how about putting a big muzzle on the lobbyists? Where do you suppose the millions per day spent by, for one, the health insurance industry lobby goes? Why do you suppose the health care insurance industry is against a public option or GOD forbid single payer (that in spite of what they would have us believe works quite well in Canada)?
The reason is that they are stealing from US! Of course it's all legal. They share their profits with the law makers.
Democracy, once again, should be for ALL..
Good post.
Monte
He brings up the topics that need to be brought up and places it right into the faces of those that it needs to be pressed.
Horatio Alger wrote some amazing stories about such people, such as "Mark the Match Boy," which I read in high school and made a big difference in my life.
What is interesting is that "Mark" in the Alger story did not throw people under the bus to make something of himself.
Someone who makes something of themself with hard work and keeping at it is to be admired...but without a heart for his fellow man and a desire to make such advancement possible for all...where did that long ago dream go?
Beating others down to stay at the top was not the dream..it was hard work and dedication and keeping at it.
I agree with particia k,..the dream is almost dead...and Mr Moore is at least pointing out the nitemare.
I'm not in the insurance industry. I'm all for term limits in Congress. I think it's ridiculous that guys like Teddy Kennedy stay in their seats for long past retirement age and long past when they should have stepped down for health reasons.
I think we need shorter campaign seasons. If you're campaigning for a year, it takes a hell of a lot more money than if you campaign for a month.
But, we've monkeyed with formulas for PAC advertising and campaign spending limits and all sorts of stuff like that and the price of running for office just goes up and up, I want a serious solution, not a rant.
I'd like corporate boards to be more effective at making sure executive pay is merited by performance. There's a huge amount of shares under management by pension funds and other groups with professional management, no pat-your-back incentive to pad executive pay, and the clout to vote corporate executive bums out, So why aren't they more effective?
These are the questions that need to be asked and answered.
My problem with Moore's Capitalism movie is that it was much broader than his earlier movies and therefore more incoherent. An example is his juxtaposing democracy with capitalism, as though those two are equivalent classifications. We can certainly have both.
I don't think Moore did enough to exploit the fine examples of corporate welfare that RFK exposed in his book Crimes Against Nature, but he did talk about such loopholes that allow corporations to avoid (the cost of) real accountability. Which of course isn't an indictment of capitalism but a bemoaning of the lack of capitalism we apply to corporations. When he complains about the bailouts to AIG and banks, he is objecting to the government's rejection of the invisible hand as a means to ridding society of the inefficient. Which is to say he is mad that we aren't capitalistic enough. See what I mean? He was all over the map.
Malusinka is exactly right. A limited welfare state is what we are, and if done right it's a good place to be. We are a capitalistic society which doesn't practice capitalism purely--as no one does. Perhaps we need even more government regulation--I think so--but that doesn't change us to socialism, for goodness sake. I think too many liberals are drinking the Koolaid from the right and starting to believe that we/the Democratic party are socialists. We are not. They have their own party, and most of us aren't in it for a reason. Moore himself isn't a socialist. He's a capitalist who enjoys making movies and earning his keep that way. He has stated that this is his last political documentary; he's interested in branching out.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2009/oct/01/michael-moore-movie-factcheck/
Rated
Thanks patricia k.
(rated means "good" ...right? I am not sure yet)