Sunday, November 21, 2010

Has Capitalism Come To An End In America. Part IV

What’s Wrong With Capitalism?:

In this segment we will explore the authors ideas describing what he sees as wrong with capitalism as he outlines in his book The Fallen Eagle.  The author uses the description of Babylonian spirit to describe the ideology which he sees as coming out of modern day capitalism. In order to make for a better understanding of the terminology and descriptions taken from the Bible Scripture perhaps a look at Babylon and who or what Babylon is would be in order.  The authors quotes are highlighted as in previous article post.

Babylon is described throughout the Scripture both in natural terms and supernatural terminology.   We know from history that Babylon was a city sitting on a main trade route in what we know as Iraq.  It was indeed a prosperous city but it also was an evil city containing every perverseness  known to man.

John the Revelator saw Babylon as a lavishly dressed Harlot riding on the back of a seven headed beast and described her as such:


I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, haviing seven heads and then horns.

And this woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthness of her fornicatin”

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABONMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 13:3-5)

Babylon’s association with the seven-headed, ten horned beast makes her a prominent historical and end time figure, for the beast upon which the Harlot rides represents earthly kingdoms.  The ten horns symbolizes ten end time kings who: ...shall give their power and strenght unto the beast” (Revelation 17:13).

Babylon's influence is worldwide--”...all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her...” (Revelation 18:3)

Some equate the Babylon influence to a false religion which perhaps impacts peoples and governments however the Scriptures seem to lean more toward referring to Babylon and other cities like her as great trade cities or centers and liken their business transactions to adulterous behavior.  The Old Testament prophet Isaiah spoke of another large trade city, Tyre, in this manner: “...she shall turn to her hire and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world ...”(Isaiah 23:17). John, in his Revelation also emphasizes Babylon’s commercial activity rather than religious affairs: ...”thy merchants were the great men of the earth...” Revelation 18:23)  We know that today, business leaders fro the free world hold unprecedented power and command respect worldwide. No political system, not even Communism, hinders their movement around the world. Hardly a nation escapes their.  warlike quest for larger markets, cheaper labor and scarcer natural resources. John again alludes to Babylon as an economically based process in which “...the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies” (Revelation 18:3). The merchants grew rich because they had the freedom to employ their skills and possessions to accumulate more wealth “...that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships at sea...” (Revelation 18:19)

That description of Babylon is a very good description of the freedom , flexibility and opportunity allowed under modern capitalism.  And now, what is wrong with capitalism?

Marx was wrong since not all privately-owned enterprises are capitalistic in nature , not do all corporations harbor the Babylon sprit. Neither is the concept of private enterprise inherently evil, for God has always advocated man[‘s economic freedom and individual responsibility. This must  certainly include his rights to own property, to enter into voluntary exchange with whomever he chooses, to select the vocation of his choice, to provide goods and services in order to make enough money to provide for his family, to help the needy , and to put enough aside for a rainy day.  The writer (and this writer) is a firm believer in free enterprise and the concept behind pure capitalism but something with in the capitalist system—the misuse of its freedoms—must defy God’s laws relative to making money. These abuses of privileges distinguish mere private ownership from capitalism.  The introduction of these abuses into an individually owned business signals the departure of God’s sanction and the entrance of the Babylon spirit to administer its economic affairs.

So from this point forward, when we use the word” capitalism” we do not mean the free enterprise system per se but the willful perversion of those freedoms into a competitive, ever expanding monster, incapable of expressing even the slightest measure of human compassion.  By capitalism we mean the merger of equipment and human labor into a profit producing machine  incapable of looking beyond its own voracious appetite for larger markets, cheaper labor, and scarcer natural resources. By capitalism, we mean an attitude or spirit, with an  economic system that lends itself to the old man’s natural desire for fun, fame and fortune, that focuses on selfish desires as they seek gratification through the things of the world , that forsakes the right of others and perverts the love of God into a Laodicean** craze for pleasure, possessions and prestige.

Any business , regardless of size can,  according to the author be possessed by the Babylon spirit. Void of feelings other than greed especially a lack of feeling toward people it simply operates to make more and  more money.

Capitalism gives birth to our latent impulses to covet “things” and exalt ourselves because the foundational principles upon which it operates are geared toward accumulation and self emulation.  the use of it’s freedoms to reap gain, often at another expense , makes capitalism just as obnoxious to God as atheistic Communisms.

At the heart of capitalism, dominating its every precept and principle is a competitive drive for higher profits.  A business filled with the Babylon spirit is not content to merely cover cost and make a reasonable profit. It exist solely for making more money.

When bottom line looms as the driving force behind nearly every management decision , those decision eventually and inevitably lead to expansion. Marx right concluded that capitalism had no stopping place but was relentless driven by greed to innovate and increase output.

This dangerous concentration takes a deadly toll on small businessmen, but the loss of human compassion and understanding is far more devastating.

Central to capitalism , equality is nothing more than equal opportunity of all to compete freely for economic advantage.  With advantage must come disadvantage; invariably weak suffer most in a fully competitive environment...  In such a system there is little compassion for losers but boast proudly of their affluent winners.

However innocently, capitalism does create a noticeable poverty, and an increasing price structure perpetuates the economic distinction between the upper (and middle )classes and the poor.  Capitalism did not necessarily produce poverty by taking the poor man’s money (although this is true to an extent in the price he must pay for necessities), but it did  create a chasm which few will cross.

To solve the poverty problem advocates of capitalism feel that rather than subdivide the pie into smaller and smaller parts, there ought to be a bigger pie.
Of course we know that the socialist in our government would not only subdivide the pie into smaller pieces but also create a larger pie by extracting profits from the very entity that created it, be it right or wrongly created.

As long as the competitive system survives, and in spite of social programs, government handouts, and foreign aid, the poor will remain, and the rich will get richer.


Capitalism will fail, but not because everyone in America suddenly adopts Christian values and applies them to their business life.  Sadly , most Americans, including Christians, are determined to preserve or improve their current lifestyles and the economic system that ensures its preservation. Accordingly , the Babylon spirit will continue to spell bind and enslave all who abuse their economic freedoms and do so with little regard for the rights or feelings of others.That is, until the end.


Next the final segment: The Death of Capitalism


** Laodiciean spirit is described as this in Revalation  3:17-18 "Because you say, 'I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;' and don't know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see"  .
The words attributed to the Laodiceans obviously mark an ironic over-confidence in regard to spiritual wealth. They are unable to recognize their bankruptcy. However the image may also be drawing on the perceived worldly wealth of the city and in the content of the article on Capitalism this is the authors intent.

9 comments:

Maggie@MaggiesNotebook said...

Ticker, I don't think we will ever achieve the kind of capitalism, worldwide, or even nation-wide that does not have whiffs of Babylonian capitalism as you have described.

I know though that there are many very successful capitalists who do so much for so many. Maybe that's the best we can hope for, until...

GM Roper said...

Capitalism doesn't have to be that way. My private practice and those that I practice with in association give of ourselves to those in need, regardless sometimes of ability to pay. But, and this is the capitalism, we must get paid for the majority of our work to stay in business. What sayest thou Ticker?

Brenda Bowers said...

Capitalism is simply man in all his manifestations, or imagination. Dickens depicted all of these manifestations of capitalists in his "A Christmas Carol" from Scrooge to Tiny Tim.

Remember that even Scrooge changed his thinking and actions in the end! So as long as man, as the driver of capitalism, has a mind and imagination there is hope. BB

Ticker said...

GM, in true capitalism one gets paid for their work and can expect to make a "reasonable" profit. That is true capitalism. The author of Fallen Eagle alluded to that very thing but stated that it had been overcome with the Babylonian spirit where profit was the "only " thing.

Yes, Maggie capitalism can succeed without the Babylonian spirit and the manner is outlined in the scriptures. Jesus himself presented 16 parables on nothing but finance(business/capitalism if you wish) More parables on that subject than any other in the Bible. There are as more verses in the Scriptures on Finance/business than other subjects including faith and prayer. Surprising? Not really. One day I will present a synopsis of these scriptures on finance/business/capitalism.

BB you are correct and yes even Scrooge changed his thinking. Man needs to do likewise before the system perishes and that time is drawing near.

Z said...

I just have to say I'm late to your series and that this installment might be THE most compelling stuff I've read in AGES>

I'm hoping that the next installment is : "How America Can Survive the end of Capitalism and yet Not BOw a BIT to SOcialist elitist Progressives...and How GOD Can Be Allowed Back into the Public Square!"

Am I close?

(your email you shared with us at geeez slayed me...I may do a whole post on it, thanks!...thanking YOU of course!)

Ticker said...

Z Thanks for joining us. It's never too late and I hope that you really have enjoyed this series as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.
The last in the series will be the Death of Capitalism. From there I don't know where it will go.
You would really enjoy Thomas' book The Fallen Eagle. I am indebted to him for being allowed to use direct quotes from his newly released book.He also writes in this book about the fate of Christianity in America as well. Wow it is some good stuff. I don't do a lot of commercials or "selling" of a book but this is one that is well worth the time and the money. It is available on e-book as well as print copy. I have both since my better half is the editor and publisher of the book. OOOPS did I do a plug? Oh well, it's a good book. I will probably do a bit more in the way of blog post using Thomas' book and the ideas that he has put forth. I know a lot of folks are not really interested in what some call "the end times" but frankly they are upon us. Now you have an idea where my next series may be going.
Thanks again for coming by. I have linked you to my favorites. I really have enjoyed reading your blog now for several months.

Z said...

Ticker, thanks SO much for coming to geeeZ! I'm going to blogroll you...
Your wife is involved in this book? WOW! I'd sure like to hear more about the Christianity in AMerica AND the End Times information.
Man, Ticker, if this isn't End Times (and I"ve never been one to think about it, and even thought those who did were a little wacky), I can't imagine WHAT IS. Everything is SO SO Biblical, isn't it.
I look forward to hearing you on that subject (no pressure!)
I hope you had a great THanksgiving.
And I hope you come see my Sunday Faith Blogs.

Right Truth said...

I hope the answer to your question is "NO", but we are certainly headed down that road with the current administration. We must do an about face.


As GM says, when hubby and I had our own private practice we made it a point not to charge or to give great discounts to the elderly in need or to small children who could not help the situation their parents were in. If we had collected all that we were owed (accounts receivable) we would have been rich.

Charity begins at home, and by that I mean family, then those that come across our path as we travel this world in our neighborhoods, work places, etc.

As to interpreting the Bible, especially Revelation, eschatology, it's a very tricky thing to do.

Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com

Ticker said...

Thanks Z for the kind words and comments as well. Yes, my wife edited, arranged, designed the cover and published the book as well. I will be posting the final segment on Monday probably. I think it will make for some interesting discussion.

Debbie, thank you for stopping by as well. I always enjoy it when you do. It's been awhile.
Yes, interpretation of Revelation is indeed difficult. Some make too much of minor things while overlooking those things that have been written about in the Books of the Old Testament. I enjoy reading and studying various authors take on the subjects contained in that book.

To all of you , thanks for the commments and for dropping by Jus'Sayin'.
I hope that you all are not still as stuffed as I am. Leftovers are killers and I am letting nothing go to waste. To the waist perhaps but never wasted.