This page was written as a rebuttal to a facebook post of a twitter post I saw.
See the image to the right. Posts like this one tend to spread around.
It appears we are to assume the post, credited to "MLK", was authored by Martin Luther King, Jr.,
but who knows as I was unable to verify this quote?
There are several unsubstaniated claims in this post that sound more like
conspiracy theories than fact. As I see it:
"Artificial scarcity is a feature of capitalism."
Without an example, it's hard to grasp what the author means.
Capitalists like to sell their products and services, not drive off customers
with inflated sticker prices.
I suppose artificial scarcity could drive up prices, but for how long?
Once it's discovered an item is not scarce, the hoax is up. Competition also helps
keep prices in check.
Increase in prices, regardless of the reason, reduces demand. So, it's risky
to attempt to sell something beyond it's fair market value.
"Empty houses surround homeless people."
There are lots of reasons for houses to be empty.
If you own a rental property, the tenant moves out and it sits empty
waiting for a new tenant, is the author suggesting someone homeless should be
allowed to move in to your property?
Empty/Abandoned housing/businesses are often caused when crime is allowed to run rampant.
People flee where they are not safe to live, work and raise families.
Many empty/abandoned homes have been condemned and are unsafe for human habitation.
Homelessness is usually associated with drug/alcohol abuse and/or
mental illness. Many homeless are either kicked out of shelters for refusing
to follow some basic rules, or choose homelessness over living in a shelter
because they prefer the freedom of not having to follow shelter rules.
"Tons of food waste encircle hungry people."
I find this comment frustrating. There are food banks everywhere
where tons of food are regulary donated and given for free to needy people.
One of the blessings of capitalism is that food pantries are generously supported.
"unused medical resources sit idle near dying people."
911 can be called for anyone needing medical assistance. Ambulance
crews don't arrive and say: "Oh, this person is homeless. We'll just let them
lay." and drive on. No, they are taken to the emergency room where they are treated.
"A commodified world that 'takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries
to the classes.'"
What does that even mean? In my entire life, I've never witnessed necessities
being taken from anyone. Just the opposite. I've seen an ever-increasing number
of both public and private social welfare programs designed to help those in need.
To prove just how evil we are in the Capitalist United States of America,
check out these 10 examples. Notice I'm providing concrete and undeniable
examples of how a capitalist nation helps its own. Where are the examples
of the unsubstantiated claims of the supposed MLK quote?
Child Nutrition (school lunch, breakfast and after school food programs.)
Head Start (preschool program including direct aid to low-income families for preschool attendance and child care services)
Housing Assistance (includes rent vouchers, public housing and community development programs.)
Job Training (various programs & employment support for adults, youth and seniors)
why have over 4 million people (14% of their popluation ¡Ay, caramba!)
fled socialist Venezuela? (so says NPR citing a U.N. Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration report)
