Is this country really what our founding fathers dreamed of?

[Cousin Vinnie]

Originally posted by Bern80
Why should an individual not be allowed to make as much money as they want? Again please, for the love of all that is good, take an economics class. None of what you propose would work in market economy (which is essentially based on human nature) Think things out a little bit man.

Just for example do you have any idea how astronmically high taxes would have to be to make up for the budget short fall that you propose?

Believe me, I know I haven't thouroughly explained what must be done. I could write a 100 page book on the topic, so I'd rather not get into it. But, I'm sure that you can't get the overall feel of what I'm saying here. Can't you?

 

[MtnBiker]

Originally posted by Cousin Vinnie


because I can't see that they already aren't making at least 100% profit on things like CD's that cost virtually nothing to make and can't possible cost "that" much (in proportion to the actual price) to market, transport, and sell.

You really have no idea do you?

 

[MtnBiker]

Originally posted by Cousin Vinnie
but civilization can't exist as it does today without some form of currency.

Why not?

 

[wonderwench]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
Why not?

Cuz people like to keep score.

 

[MtnBiker]

Thanks Wonderwench, lets hear from Cousin Vinnie.

 

[Zhukov]

I feel inclined to start my own business so that I can prove that I can sell it for less, just to show my cable company for example that they can't get away with their prices any longer.

Then do it. That's capitalism, and 'capitalism' is the answer to all your questions.

 

[Bern80]

For example, celebrities: A popular singer records a CD and sells it for $20. Now, in the end, a large portion of this money goes to the singer him/herself. If you lower the price to $10 for the CD, I still believe that the singer can be making a profit on that CD because I can't see that they already aren't making at least 100% profit on things like CD's that cost virtually nothing to make and can't possible cost "that" much (in proportion to the actual price) to market, transport, and sell.

This is a misconception. As a percentage of sales the artists themselves don't make that much(relatively speaking of course) Most of it goes to the label.

High-speed or DSL Internet is another one. What makes that so much more expensive than regular dial up? How about Digital Cable? Why is the cost of that so high? My cable provider is an obvious scam to me because of their outrageous prices for these products.

If you've ever had dial up and switched to DSL you should know why it costs more. If you don't it's becasue DSL is about 10x faster than dial-up. Similar products where does the job better than an another tend to cost more.

Originally posted by Cousin Vinnie
Believe me, I know I haven't thouroughly explained what must be done. I could write a 100 page book on the topic, so I'd rather not get into it. But, I'm sure that you can't get the overall feel of what I'm saying here. Can't you?

Yes I know what you're getting at. We would all like lower prices, but telling companies what they can and can't charge isn't the way to do it. You can't just arbitraily assign prices to goods. Goods are priced at a certain level for a reason. That reason is called Supply and Demand, again take an econ class. Under most conditions if prices are really out of whack, the market will fix itself. What you are proposing really would throw our economy for a loop.

 

[Comrade]

Cousin Vinnie,

Why are we rehashing the same issues again when you've left answered questions?

I've said I've seen the basis of a first-come first-serve economy, long lines, poor product, and a secondary market.

In your coliseum example, alone, your best sportsmen will leave, and a booming hawker industry (the secondary economy) will ensure that actual ticket prices for anyone who doesn't otherwise wait for hours on end will be at market price.

All you've done is reduce the motive for the business to provide anything but a $10 game. You can see a $10 game, if you want. Some want a $50 game.

John Q., yeah I saw that movie too. This is a brilliant example of how supply cannot meet demand. There are only X organs for transplants to give to far more needy recipients. ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD will not get you to the top of the list, and truly needy cases do not get dropped because of lack of funds. Bad example my friend.

 

[Comrade]

Cousin Vinny,

If DSL is a rip-off you should:

A: Complain to a bunch of capitalists about it.

B: Start your own service and prove you can do it for cheaper.

Or stay with dial-up, switch providers, whatever.


But if you put your money where your mouth is I want to see B.

 

[Cousin Vinnie]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
You really have no idea do you?

What do you know that I don't? Please share.

 

[Cousin Vinnie]

...truly needy cases do not get dropped because of lack of funds... [/B]

Well, it happened in the movie, didn't it?

I haven't seen it happen in real life personally, but there's no doubt that it does, and when money keeps you from life, that's ridiculous and morally unacceptable. And this has nothing to do with the economy, how much the money the hospital has, or how much money the patient has. "SICK --> HELP"

 

[kcmcdonald]

in a socialist society, money doesn't get you every thing and niether does povert!!!!!

 

[MtnBiker]

Originally posted by Cousin Vinnie
What do you know that I don't? Please share.

The process of putting a product into the marketplace for consumers to freely and willingly buy at a price they deem reasonable.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
The process of putting a product into the marketplace for consumers to freely and willingly buy at a price they deem reasonable.

What an awesome response, MtnBiker! Game. Set. Match.

 

[MtnBiker]

Thanks man, I hope Vinnie continues his dialoge. I wonder how he has arrived at his beliefs?

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
Thanks man, I hope Vinnie continues his dialoge. I wonder how he has arrived at his beliefs?

I wonder too. I think he arrived at his beliefs on the short bus, for sure.

 

[MtnBiker]

Perhaps, but I doubt it. The thing is there are people who have the same reasoning and they may be quite bright, but not have an understanding of capitalist economics. Cousin Vinnie does not appear to be promoting socialism or communism, rather just puzzled at profit motives the importance of profit.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
Perhaps, but I doubt it. The thing is there are people who have the same reasoning and they may be quite bright, but not have an understanding of capitalist economics. Cousin Vinnie does not appear to be promoting socialism or communism, rather just puzzled at profit motives the importance of profit.

Yes, puzzled, very puzzled. That'll be our secret codeword for "flaming imbecile" from now on. shhh.

 

[MtnBiker]

All kidding aside, I do appreciate a different point of view. That does not mean I agree with it or all of it. Cousin Vinnie really hasn't made anything personal in this thread. I'm not going to call him an imbecile.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Originally posted by MtnBiker
All kidding aside, I do appreciate a different point of view. That does not mean I agree with it or all of it. Cousin Vinnie really hasn't made anything personal in this thread. I'm not going to call him an imbecile.

Well now you don't have to!