{"article":{"id":224683,"heading":"An Alternative to Capitalism?","author":"John Steinsvold","created":"2009-02-13 21:26:42","modified":"2009-02-13 21:26:42","last_modified":"Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:26:42","article":"

\"Can we learn to distribute our goods and services according to need (on an ongoing basis) rather than by the ability to pay? Why not? Poverty and materialism will be eliminated! Our sense of value will change. Wealth will no longer be a status symbol. A man will be judged by what he is; not by what he has. He will be judged by his achievements, leadership, ideas, artistic endeavours or athletic prowess; not by the size of his wallet.

Yes, everything will be free according to need. All the necessities and common luxuries will be available on a help yourself basis at the local store. Surely, this country is capable of supplying the necessities and common luxuries for everyone in this country many times over.

The more \"expensive\" items, such as housing, cars, boats, etc. would be provided for on a priority basis. For example, the homeless would be given housing ahead of those living in crowded quarters. How will this priority be established? Perhaps a local board elected by the people in the neighborhood such as a school board. Or perhaps the school boards could absorb this responsibility in addition to their present duties.

Since cooperation will replace competition, can government, industry and the people learn to work together as a team to meet the economic needs of our nation as well as each individual? Again, why not? Yes, competition is great; but cooperation is even better. Cooperation avoids duplication of effort..\"

to read John Steinsvold's \"utopian\" article published on March 14, 2006 \"Home of the Brave?\", visit

http:\/\/evans-experientialism.freewebspace.com\/steinsvold.htm<\/a><\/p>\n","contact":"mbatko@lycos.com","link":"http:\/\/www.mbtranslations.com","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"text\/plain","summary":""Have we become gluttons for punishment? My college professor once said, We can get used to hanging if we live long enough!"","numcomment":0,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/","filesize":null,"article_url":"\/news\/2009\/02\/224683.php"},"attachments":[],"comments":[]}