The only reason why people are able to even post this anti-capitalism content here in the first place is because of capitalism -- this site is a for profit venture after all.

Indeed. Another way that self-interest benefits others. Sure, self-interest sometimes only harms others, but I have a feeling that any other system or ideal has some negative side effects to them, even if the supporters refuse to think about them.

The only reason why people are able to even post this anti-capitalism content here in the first place is because of capitalism

Assuming (for the moment) that this is true ...
Capitalism is the predominant system. Some of us disagree with it. However, for the time being at least, we still have to live in the world the way it is. Therefore we have to use the means that are available to us to challenge the system, regardless of the origins of those means.

... but it ISN'T true!
That Capitalism is the predominant system in our world does not imply that it is necessarily the CAUSE of any other specific aspect of the way the world is. Nor does it imply that any other specific aspect of the world would necessarily NOT exist under an alternative system. Beware the political version of 'the Anthropic principle' - the belief that the end of Capitalism would NECESSARILY mean the spontaneous disappearance of - say - the Internet, meat pies or 'Australian Idol'. (Although that's an attractive prospect ...)

True, the Internet might still be able to function in an alternative system. Of course, we'll never know, as nobody ever develops another system enough to actually implement it, and I doubt anybody ever will.

The only reason why people are able to even post this anti-capitalism content here in the first place is because of capitalism -- this site is a for profit venture after all.

I always thought you did it for the love of the game and the possibility of maybe making a little back from premium memberships - I didn't realise you were already turning a profit from the banner ads.

I like capitalism because me and my family have always done well by it and likely will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Barring major and simultaneous collapse in the housing, stock, metals and derivatives markets (something that theoretically should be near-impossible) I will always have sufficient money to live on. That doesn't mean I think it's the only system which provides rapid technological advancement or improves the general quality of life. War and competition tend to drive tech advances (eg radio, rocketry, satellites, the internet etc), and certainly capitalism does encourage these phenomena to a large degree. But then again socialist countries also have an admirable/deplorable history of conflict, so capitalist countries can't claim to be the first in satellite technology, laser/knife based eye correction and a number of highly important mathematical fomulae.

I guess the point I'm trying (and likely failing) to make is that the benefits of capitalism for economic and technological growth should be tempered with the benefits socialism offers in stability and equality. Neither should allowed an open hand in the running of the state, but both should have a place. The iron shackles of communism should be avoided, but if we give the markets no chain at all they will fly beyond our reach, and there's no guarantee the rich will take anyone with them.

cactoblaste: Your probably reading this from PoliticalMachine.com.  articles from JoeUser.com, which is where most of the political content for polmachine.com come is where this post originated from.

But no matter how you slice it, Furry and Socialist aren't running around setting up public sites are they? They deride capitalism but despite how easy it is to set up even a basic website,they haven't. They rely on sites created by for profit companies made by people who are paid to develop them.

Well if Pig Iron Bob Menzies could read this now he'd be well proud of you lot. It amazes me that the Conservatives are still trying to portray the Australian Labor Party as a bunch of Commies. I am rather angry that there are a few pinkos who have come in here and tried to appropriate my site for their benefit. I am arguing in favour of the ALP who are a Centre-Right team in favour of capitalism and in favour of profits.

The ALP that Vanstone was criticising in her comments does not argue that profit should be abolished. They are arguing that the system is more complicated than simply saying "Hey everyone, go make some profit" and then assuming this will create jobs. Australian workers need more protection from their Government than that. When big businesses are left to their own devices, their only motive becomes profit. And the closure of rural banks, our automated Telstra phone service, pathetic rural telephone services and the increasing level of insecurity for Australian workers proves that this cannot be the only motivation for capitalism.

We need a Government that hands back power to the Unions. Deregulation of unfair dismissal laws makes our system, well, unfair. We need a Government that backs superannuation and backs good health care systems. We need a Government that believes in our education and believes that one of the best ways to achieve economic prosperity is to cultivate the minds of our children.

In short, we need a Government that doesn't rely on simplistic notions of capitalism. We need a Government that isn't run by two bit morons like Howard and Vanstone. We need a Labor Party Government to ensure economic prosperity.

We need a Labor Party Government to ensure economic prosperity

October 9 - there's a pretty good chance we'll get one, or at least a new PM.

It amazes me that the Conservatives are still trying to portray the Australian Labor Party as a bunch of Commies.

Absolutely. As a Commie, I find it the very idea of being lumped in with the ALP deeply offensive.

Furry and Socialist aren't running around setting up public sites are they?

Well, I can't speak for Champas, but no - I'm not. And that proves the case for Capitalism how exactly, Draginol?

They rely on sites created by for profit companies made by people who are paid to develop them.

That's right. It's called subversion. HeeHeeHee!

As I said before, we have to use the means that are available to us to challenge the system, regardless of the origins of those means. The revolution will come, but please don't expect us to organise it according to YOUR perceptions of what we stand for.