I CANNOT agree with Daniel McBride’s myopic vision of capitalism (Letters, April 17) and am far more sympathetic towards Kevin McKenna’ description of it. Capitalism could be of benefit to everyone, but the Anglo/American practice of it is often a heartless affair based on greed and a callous disregard for working people – the real wealth creators.
Mr McBride credits capitalism with “technologies the modern person has at their fingertips”, and certainly capitalism has played a part, but human progress was happening long before capitalism. For the bread on his table he has to thank innovative people many thousands of years ago who selflessly shared their discoveries with the world.
READ MORE: Capitalism has brought benefits to the rich and poor alike
He also claims that “as the rich get richer the poor get richer too”. If this is true how does he explain the high rates of poverty, homelessness and food banks in the UK? To me the explanation is easy; parasites who avoid and evade their civic duty to pay fair taxes, park their wealth offshore and contribute little or nothing to the community they live in and benefit from.
I do not need definitions of capitalism from the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, because I can see it as practised in the UK, and it’s not a pretty sight.
READ MORE: Open your eyes to just how little ‘trickles down’ to the poorest
A common mistake right-wingers make (and I’m not saying Mr McBride is a Tory) is the naïve assumption that everyone is born with the capability to earn a living. Most of us are gifted with mental or manual skills which will see us through life, but there is a minority who will never be able to work, and some who can but only with much support. A civilised society cares for everyone in it; but the last time the UK witnessed that was in 1945. Scotland could witness civic inclusiveness again; but not as part of the UK.
Richard Walthew
Duns
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel