Americans would be better off without capitalism

Politicians talking about the economy turn my stomach. The stock market is not the economy. Politicians should not claim job creation unless the jobs pay at least a living wage.

Today’s 20-to-40-year-olds aren’t as burdened with mortgages, kids and other financial obligations as were previous generations and they have finally gone on a nationwide strike for higher wages. Good.

The American economy is homelessness, no healthcare, exit-ramp beggars, check-cashing stores, payday loan thieves, pawn shops and abject poverty. Anyone who expects capitalism to solve these problems is an idiot.

The threat of these horrors hanging over workers’ heads is exactly what makes American capitalism work.

There is no lifestyle more expensive than being poor.

The poor can’t afford to buy in bulk. The poor have to drive derelict cars that constantly break down. The poor have to go to emergency rooms for healthcare. The poor have no 401k’s. The poor have no way to keep their children from being poor and no real way to avoid having unwanted children.

And we taxpayers subsidize this poverty. We keep them barely alive but without hope of a decent future so that corporate America can exploit them with paltry wages and firing them at will.

Wow, ain’t capitalism grand. If you’re rich. The truth is that everyone in America would be far better off with a more empathetic and compassionate system that promoted social well-being, education and healthy lifestyles. Only a fool or a money addict would feel otherwise.

Jay Smith, Columbus