Bezo’s comment that we all paid for it enraged the left the same way Obama’s “you didn’t build that” comment did the right.
The fact is both are true, and part of the outrage is down to the fact that on some level people knew it.
People can make dick jokes about Bezos’ rocket all they want; the price of admission is reconciling that with the fact that they have a Prime account.
Same story with Obama. As you note, we’ve lionized the idea of the small business owner. But no man is an island. We collectively paid for the education they (and their employees received), we paid for the roads used by customers and suppliers alike, and more.
It is very important for people to understand that entrepreneurship, innovation, and invention do not belong to capitalism. Nor, do they particularly thrive there.
To me, the issue is not what happens to profit in a socialist system but the fact that all manner of valuable and dignified labor can be undertaken without the goal of profiteering. By far and awayv most small businesses owners are not trying to profit. They are trying to generate a comfortable, diginified, and sustainable livelihood for themselves and, if they are decent, for their employees as well.
Socialism doesn't mean that people can't own or direct their own businesses. It means that that the structural incentives are designed to support enterprise that serves our shared common good rather than private profiteering.
This was very instructive, thanks. Have always had a difficult time reasoning this sorts of ideas out, and this really helped. Keep it up!
Bezo’s comment that we all paid for it enraged the left the same way Obama’s “you didn’t build that” comment did the right.
The fact is both are true, and part of the outrage is down to the fact that on some level people knew it.
People can make dick jokes about Bezos’ rocket all they want; the price of admission is reconciling that with the fact that they have a Prime account.
Same story with Obama. As you note, we’ve lionized the idea of the small business owner. But no man is an island. We collectively paid for the education they (and their employees received), we paid for the roads used by customers and suppliers alike, and more.
It is very important for people to understand that entrepreneurship, innovation, and invention do not belong to capitalism. Nor, do they particularly thrive there.
To me, the issue is not what happens to profit in a socialist system but the fact that all manner of valuable and dignified labor can be undertaken without the goal of profiteering. By far and awayv most small businesses owners are not trying to profit. They are trying to generate a comfortable, diginified, and sustainable livelihood for themselves and, if they are decent, for their employees as well.
Socialism doesn't mean that people can't own or direct their own businesses. It means that that the structural incentives are designed to support enterprise that serves our shared common good rather than private profiteering.