Why Are So Many People Losing Faith In Capitalism?

According to new polling, just half of young Americans hold a favorable view of capitalism. This tracks with other, similar polls, but why is it happening? What is it about capitalism that is so unappealing to young people? In this episode, we'll discuss the trend away from capitalism, the appeal of socialism as an alternative, and consider what normal people can do to help hasten the demise of the predatory, outdated system that is capitalism.

Why Are So Many People Losing Faith In Capitalism? – Second Thought

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Socialist Party platform 1912:

Debs "How I Became A Socialist"

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Decline of unions in the US:

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[spicynoodles]

What scares me and annoys me about capitalism is that many times you cannot criticize it without being called a communist.
They see it as a perfect system and if you try to talk about a failure immediately it is as if you were a socialist, how are we supposed to improve a system which we cannot even criticize?

[kweena]

“Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish has been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.”

[tylerkrieter]

I lost faith in capitalism when I started realizing we have a major Homeless issue and seeing people who needed food steal and be prosecuted. Lost faith in it when I see ppl think about themselves and not others. We got more than enough resources to share with the entire world. We have massive amounts of food but throw it away if people can't afford it.

[nevadataylor]

“No food, no power, brutal police, corrupt officials, electioneering, controlled media, crackdown on protests, no meaningful opposition & no private property for the working class. Literally everything they warned us would happen under communism is happening under capitalism.” — RD Hale

[VKGPU]

"Always tip well"

I absolutely *hate* tipping culture. It's abhorrent that people are underpaid and basically have to live off what people throw at them in tips. However, tipping well when it is part of a culture is something I feel I should do. Even if it feels hypocritical, you're not hurting the oppressors if you don't tip - you're hurting the oppressed.

[MegaLakona]

It’s hard to say that capitalism works when I’ve experienced more than one “once in a lifetime” economic collapse before being able to order a beer at a restaurant

[rickytickytimbo]

You know how when you're at the end of a game of Monopoly, and only 2 people are left in the game and everyone else just has to sit there and watch them? That's what this feels like

[thereisnoleftleft]

"Why Are So Many People Losing Faith In Capitalism?". Because Capitalism is a system designed by people who own things. In America, nobody owns anything and everyone just works to pay off debt to those who do. It really is just that simple.

[Gaswafers]

If conservatives want to go back to the "good old days", then why don't they want to go back to when a gas station worker could buy a house with their yearly pay?

[lassewendeln]

... Honestly, it's incredible to me of how different the views over there in America are. Never understood how a two parties, no general Healthcare, weak unions etc are even remotely acceptable to seemingly many Americans. Best regards, from Germany.

[Protadin]

I'm a Gen-Xer and I've always struggled to understand why people always take and consume more than they need. If you have enough to look after yourself and your family, then why do you always need to take more? You can't take it with you when you die, and there is no sense in keeping it from others who may need it more. There is so much that is wrong with the capitalist system that it is both staggering and sickening. Just the senseless amounts of food and resources wasted, all in the pursuit of chasing more wealth, is just pure insanity! We have more than enough to go around for everyone, yet greedy capitalists insist on destroying it all, just because people can't pay for it? The system needs to change and change fast, if humanity is to survive and flourish. Else we become a fully dystopian society like many books that are written in that genre.

[khristopherheiss]

As an person born and raised in America and who has lived in many states and seen both coasts. I can say I've held on onto my humanitarian and socialists ideals. I always believed universal income, healthcare, education and housing should be something everyone should have access too

[JohnDoe-gqtm]

Many people can't even afford basic bills. And our infrastructure is crumbling inspite of being "The greatest country in the world". Thankfully some people are realizing how illogical it is to work so hard at their job just to spend all of their money and time on the "American Dream". Which amounts to looking more wealthy and happy than we actually are.

[choirgrrrl]

I’m 61 years old (guess that makes me a boomer) and I’ve been fed up with the insanity of the aggressive capitalism in this country for decades. Please, young people, stop the madness! I hate that my generation has dumped all this shit on you and continues to kick the can down the road. You have a heavy task ahead of you, but your passion for change gives me hope.

[Leprechaunproduction]

I lost faith in capitalism when I realized that I'm working full time and would have to spend 90% of my monthly income to afford a studio apartment with no utilities. I wouldn't be able to afford health insurance, car insurance, gas for the car, maintenance for the car, and the like. I wouldn't be able to save money for emergencies or future expenses, and would immediately go bankrupt from a minor medical emergency and become homeless. So, yeah, I have no faith in capitalism and would be happy to watch it burn and for the guillotines to come out for those who benefit from it the most.

[nomaticors]

I want healthcare and the freedom to do what i love. Capitalism promises me the HOPE of achieving this with hard work and hustle, while never actually giving me the opportunity for it.

[talos]

It’s hard to feel motivated in a world with such a bleak and hopeless future.

[kyleseabaugh]

I once heard something along the lines of "It's easier to fathom the end of the world than the end of capitalism." God I hope that changes soon.

[mossydog]

Capitalism follows the golden has the gold makes the rules.

[kristine]

To anyone interested: I would suggest reading "Saving Capitalism" by Robert B. Reich. It essentially explains corporate greed and why our capitalism system is failing. Very good read. It also can make you a little depressed after learning about the shear volume of corruption in the U.S. but it was eye opening for sure.