RE # 9/POM [...] It’s not the word “mercenary” in that statement that’s the problem, it’s the word “honesty”. [...] However, deregulated Capitalism creates an environment in which [...]

POM, it’s the word, or rather notion of “deregulated” from your tirade that causes problems.
Because the “regulated” capitalism, that is any type of socialist or communist societies ever present in the world, from fleeting falansters to the Soviet Union to… say, Zimbabwe, fails, their citizenry suffering terribly.

Don’t talk about French eatatism, about the “Scandinavian experience”, and other versions of these, generally European countries, because they, while “capitalist”, are states on the verge of economical collapse – to them all applies what Margret Thatcher said “the problem with spending other people’s money is that you will pretty soon finish it” (and after this, you introduce the Zimbabwe solution, i.e. printing money, notion Obama is very comfortable with).

Then, while occassional Bernie Madoffs appear in de-regulated capitalist countries, the same Madoffs are constant presences in in these “regulated capitalist” countries – as far as the Bernie Madoffs of the socialist/communist countries, that’s an oxymoron, because both socialism and communism are simply swindles, or vast Ponzi schemes where a national security/justice/one-party apparatus defends the scamsters who moved in the mansion.

Yes, with Obama enforcers like you POM, we sure can rapidly become a larger equivalent of any communist Eastern European country – where base sycophants like you POM, will find a nice niche as court praisers, day-in-day-out lauding the Genius From Hawaii, The One, The Most Beloved Son Of America, The Living Embodiment Of Most Exhalted Wisdom, The Mighty Benevolent One, etc. – comrade Barry Soetoro.

Ugly job you have POM, to inflict y/self here and there on the Internet, then try to camouflage the truth that during these days we simply see ourselves engulfed by a creeping, enslaving socialist/ internationalist coup, engineered by a collection of irresponsible adventures. And it looks that you enjoy it, also –

9. Pastor of Muppets:

“Let your mercenary tendencies be combined with honesty”, is the Trollope quote.

It’s not the word “mercenary” in that statement that’s the problem, it’s the word “honesty”.

The success of Capitalism relies upon an educated class of consumer who has access to the knowledge necessary to make good business decisions.

However, deregulated Capitalism creates an environment in which the Joe Cassanos and Bernie Madoffs of the world profit from an environment in which vital business knowledge is purposefully withheld from consumers, thereby robbing consumers of the ability to be educated consumers. The system then inherently devolves into a banquet for the most dishonest among us, and implicitly nurtures dishonesty in the rest of us by illustrating that it is the Joe Cassanos and Bernie Madoffs who become the gold standard for success.

As a rational, ethical human being, is it not justified to critique, and when possible, reform, a system that rewards dishonesty? Or ought we to simply accept that the business owner or entrepreneur has the right to be dishonest, and that therefore the consumer ought to accept that he will always be at a disadvantage in business transactions and should be perpetually cynical?

Is this what we want? A system that breeds distrust and enmity between our producers and consumers? How long can such a system be sustained?