Capitalism? Does it work?

Capitalism has indeed produced great wealth and prosperity.

Unfortunately all that wealth is concentrated in a tiny minority. It was just announced yesterday that 1% of the British population currently owns 56% of the land and property.

I don’t believe that is fair and just and I would question the morality of a system that produces that state of affairs. I would also question how these people came to own such wealth.

During the time of Britain’s greatest affluence the average man lived and died in slums, worked in atrocious conditions and was subject to poor diet, disease and poverty, while the rich capitalists lived in mansions with myriads of servants.

That’s capitalism.

It hasn’t changed much – every freedom and improvement for ordinary people has had to be fought for. Nothing was freely given. Today the superwealthy still cream off the bulk and the ordinary people live on the crumbs they drop from the table.

I’m a socialist because I believe in a system that creates a fairer society. I’m not a communist because I do not believe in total equality – just a less greater degree of parity. I believe the divide between the rich and poor is far too great. I do not believe the superwealthy deserve their vast incomes. I believe the wealth of the nation should be divided up more equitable and that everybody deserves a reasonable standard of living. I also believe that this can be achieved on a global basis.

The motto of socialism is: FAIRNESS FOR ALL!