[simonh]

That is true, fairness in society is an issue.

Here in the UK we went through a painful economic decline in the 70s and restructuring in the early 80s. Things were pretty rough for a while, but then we went through an economic boom in the late 80s as productive forces were unleashed.

I'm basically a capitalist because I believe capitalism is based on essential economic freedoms to own property, freely associate and buy and sell one's labour. But I also believe that there is a role for effective social services, public health care and a social safety net. You need a health economy to pay for it though, and that's the balance that needs to be struck.