Human institutions – for humanity?

I had the chance to join a friend to go to a preview of Michael Moore’s film Capitalism – A Love Affair. This preview had the added benefit of hearing what people thought of it, as Paramount and Toastmasters had set the session up to include a chat.

In amongst the many views were things like:

1. The alternative is North Korea and MM is fat – this received a huge boo from the otherwise polite ‘toastmaster’ audience.
2. Any system has its flaws, the film points to the dark side of humanity, which directly profits from the weaker, lining the pockets of the 1%, which is already rich beyond imagination [holds 95% of the wealth]
3. A system which delivers the greatest good for the greatest number of people is needed
4. Democracy, capitalism and socialism can and do co-exist, e.g. Finland and by the way even US. The point is to put the combined and balanced system together such that it is effective.
5. The system fails as the laws, which were supposed to govern it have been overridden over time [financial deregulation, treasury powers in relation to the use of $700Bn; no recourse to inquire how the money is used]
6. Good film but over dramatised to tell the story
7. A film like this makes you think that there must be a better way
8. Australia has been following the US ideals for 20+ years, over the last 20 years Australia has become one of the most litigious country. Gimme some of that mentality! Are we there too? Yes we are.
9. You can be very rich today and on the streets with nothing tomorrow. It happens. The question is how a person is supported during those transition times? Illness, job loss, general economic conditions can make anyone become part of disenfranchised.
10. The fundamental issue is in the values.
11. Terminology like Democracy, Capitalism and Socialism get bandied about without due consideration of their meaning, nor how they apply in current world and era.
12. Ronald Regan was a puppet.

Some of the points made in the film, my additions in [ ] (more…)