AFS Cinema
U.S. More Fascist Than Capitalist
RECEIVED Tue., Aug. 30, 2005
Dear Austin Chronicle,
A thanks and a contention. On behalf of all the starving, striving musicians in Central Texas, I would like to thank you profusely for your dedication to the music scene. AusChron allows us to place free classifieds to search for jam buddies. Without this, many of us would be lost. Money has never been good for the lower echelon musicians. I have joined projects and started projects that would never have been possible if we had to pay going classified rates. Also, listing almost every band that plays in Austin lends an air of professionalism to most groups. I'll never forget the first time my garage band, Myth, was listed at the Back Room when I was 17. Thanks, Austin Chronicle.
One point of contention. I am not sure many of the readers and writers know what capitalism means. The Chronicle is a leftist rag, which is fine. However, every bad thing that happens because of big business does not mean that capitalism is to blame. There are two examples in your Aug. 26 issue. Reader Laura Lefler wrote, "'As a passionate anti-capitalist' ... you would be much happier in a different country" [“Postmarks”]. However, the USA in no way resembles a capitalist country. Capitalism is founded on a free market and private property. With the thousands of regulations, corporate welfare, and heavy graduated taxation, we have a mixed economy as do most European nations. The illegalization of drugs, prostitution, and smoking is more akin to a command economy. Read Von Mises and Friedman to understand the difference. Writer Wells Dunbar calls the Austin City Council capitalist because they gave subsidies to Samsung [“Our Groovy Capitalist Council,” News, Aug. 26]. Again, this is command economy.
America is more correctly called a fascist nation. The recent Supreme Court decision which allows cities to take individual property and give it to select businesses is proof. It is a special brand of fascism called "corporatism." In railing against or defending capitalism, please realize that America is not an example.
A thanks and a contention. On behalf of all the starving, striving musicians in Central Texas, I would like to thank you profusely for your dedication to the music scene. AusChron allows us to place free classifieds to search for jam buddies. Without this, many of us would be lost. Money has never been good for the lower echelon musicians. I have joined projects and started projects that would never have been possible if we had to pay going classified rates. Also, listing almost every band that plays in Austin lends an air of professionalism to most groups. I'll never forget the first time my garage band, Myth, was listed at the Back Room when I was 17. Thanks, Austin Chronicle.
One point of contention. I am not sure many of the readers and writers know what capitalism means. The Chronicle is a leftist rag, which is fine. However, every bad thing that happens because of big business does not mean that capitalism is to blame. There are two examples in your Aug. 26 issue. Reader Laura Lefler wrote, "'As a passionate anti-capitalist' ... you would be much happier in a different country" [“Postmarks”]. However, the USA in no way resembles a capitalist country. Capitalism is founded on a free market and private property. With the thousands of regulations, corporate welfare, and heavy graduated taxation, we have a mixed economy as do most European nations. The illegalization of drugs, prostitution, and smoking is more akin to a command economy. Read Von Mises and Friedman to understand the difference. Writer Wells Dunbar calls the Austin City Council capitalist because they gave subsidies to Samsung [“Our Groovy Capitalist Council,” News, Aug. 26]. Again, this is command economy.
America is more correctly called a fascist nation. The recent Supreme Court decision which allows cities to take individual property and give it to select businesses is proof. It is a special brand of fascism called "corporatism." In railing against or defending capitalism, please realize that America is not an example.
Erik Fortman
