[thankyoufriend]

It's interesting to see how defensive people get about capitalism when other economic systems are mentioned. If capitalism is so great, then argue its strengths. It should be able to withstand the criticism that comes its way without having to attack other systems or the critic's background.

FWIW, I agree that capitalism has helped drive progress and increase human welfare in the past, but I no longer agree that it's currently raising human welfare, even if it's still helping to drive progress. I also think that what we have in the USA is not pure capitalism anyway and without acknowledging that, a real discussion will never be had. A form of socialism already exists here, and people seem to like it.