# As a Progressive, I am throwing in the towel

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-progressive-i-am-throwing-in-the-towel/924912>\
**Category:** Politics & Elections\
**Created:** [November 6, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-progressive-i-am-throwing-in-the-towel/924912 "2020-11-06T18:31:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 183

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**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-progressive-i-am-throwing-in-the-towel/924912/183 "2020-12-06T00:17:59Z")

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> [@Trinopus](#):
>
> > [@Boudicca90](#):
> >
> > Capitalism is exploitation. It is not an “aspect” or capitalism, it is what drives the whole thing.
> 
> Hogwash. Capitalism has been exploitive in the past, and that’s why we regulate it. But you might just as well forbid having a fireplace in your living room, because “fire is destructive; it is not an aspect of fire, it is what drives the whole thing.” Trouble is, no, that’s wrong. The bad aspects of capitalism can be regulated, while the good can bring us a high standard of living.
> 
> (And, yes, “regulation” is a kind of socialism. We need both. Ask the ancient Romans about “private fire departments.”)

This is pretty much where I stand, too. Capitalism brings choice for consumers, jobs for workers and wealth for successful entrepreneurs.

But it needs to be reasonably regulated to protect those most in need of protection. I think a fair tradeoff is to tax the living crap out of the highest earning businesses in return for relieving them of the burden of providing health care to their employees (which could also be seen as exploitative). We might see some real growth in entrepreneurism with that deal. Not everyone thinks they’re gonna be Bill Gates but plenty of people might start businesses and make jobs if they didn’t have to fuck around with a benefit that their bigger competitors can afford far easier.

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