> "Pure" capitalism works on the fundamental principle that everyone
> owns their own capital and may sell it or not in the open market at a
> rate that suits them. On this basis goods will find their true value
> as "the invisible hand" causes supply and demand to adjust prices to
> their most efficient point. Price too low and you will not be able to
> sustain production. Price too high and you will be undercut by others
> more 'efficient' (often enough === more desperate) than yourself. I
> could almost buy this argument.

Capitalism as the objectivists view it would work quite well, as would
communism as its major proponents suggest.  The problem is that
-isms are built on imperfect people.

Capitalism requires everyone to play the game, fairly.  I work hard, I
get rewarded no better (but no worse) than I deserve, and I reward
others no worse (but no better) than they deserve.  The problem is,
most people are worth less than they think, and most goods are
worth more than we're willing to pay for them.  Hence, the sacrifice
of those in the third world to feed the hungers of the first.

Ayn Rand's "Virtue of Selfishness" states that we should never
sacrifice of ourselves to others, and we've got that part down pat.
The part that really needs work is the never sacrificing others to
ourselves part.

Mike H.

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