Thoughts on Capitalism

I saw a headline recently about Michael Moore promoting his new documentary about capitalism.  He was quoted as saying, "Capitalism did nothing for me."  After looking at other stories online, I came across another of his gems when he talked about how capitalism goes against pretty much all the major religions because in all of them you are judged based on how you treat the poor.

I just don't know where to begin.  I guess I have to start with how I thought, "How can I take this guy seriously?"  The one story talked about how much he made from some of his films.  I might be mistaken, but I think that only about 100% of his take on those films are because of capitalism.  I might be misreading something, or he might have been quoted out of context.  He could have been saying that he received no funding to make his films from the government.  In that sense he would be correct.  I would completely disagree that that is a bad thing, but it would be correct.  I might be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt because the story was featured on a decidedly conservative biased site, but that would have to be some serious malicious editing for me to take him seriously.

The other bit I can't give the benefit of the doubt.  It was on a decidedly liberal site.  I would trust their accuracy in quoting and context much more.  If there was something not quite accurate, I might be inclined to think that Mr Moore would say, "Good job.  You made me say it better than I actually did."  I can't really argue with the statement, but at the same time it is completely wrong.  Yes, the SYSTEM of capitalism might go against the charitable sensibilities of the major religions, but Heaven and Hell are for people, not economic systems.  Capitalism will not be held accountable for how capitalism treated the poor.  I think this really embodies something about the whole conservative/liberal debate that I can't stand.  Because conservatives favor capitalism, their liberal opponents paint them as uncharitable, uncaring, greedy, and apathetic to the plight of the poor. Those sentiments might be true of the economic policy that is favored, but capitalism is uncharitable, uncaring, greedy, and apathetic to the plight of the poor.  Capitalism is also apathetic to the financial well-being of the rich.  It can't care.  It isn't a sentient being.  It just is.