It’s time to take failed capitalism out of Christmas

Dec 20, 2024

Dr. Rashad Richey National TV Political Analyst, Talk Radio Host, Univ. Prof.

By Straight Arrow News

Capitalism has delivered some resounding triumphs and progress for humankind in recent centuries, but it has also created and sustained systems of gross injustice, exploitation and abuse. Many of those preparing to celebrate Christmas are familiar with the inequalities of modern U.S. capitalism, as families and individuals often struggle to pay for gifts or even to take time off work to be around the people they love.

Watch the above video as Straight Arrow News contributor Dr. Rashad Richey argues that unchecked capitalism is a failing ideology, and that it is time to remove capitalism from the Christmas holiday.

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The following is an excerpt from the above video:

Pure capitalism looks like Hell. It does. You have usury. You have children working in factories, unsafe conditions. You have no union protections. You have no protection of minors. You do not get a fair wage at all, no minimum wage requirement, and companies are able to do basically what they please, because you have no rights. So nobody wants to uncheck capitalism. Even if you say you are for capitalism, you’re also for Social Security, right? That’s a social program. You’re also for public education, right? Another social program. There’s no constitutional mandate that says the government must provide a public school option. These are social programs that we have accepted and we have come to love about our nation.

My point is this: Let us figure out a way forward that allows for more nuanced conversation. As it relates to capitalism, yes, but also as it relates to — how do you make capitalism work inside of a country where capitalism hasn’t really worked?

Because last time I checked, a whole lot of folk are still trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Capitalism has not been the great savior that individuals at the top of that food chain said it would be.

Happy Holidays. All right, listen, nobody’s trying to take Christmas away. I’m thankful for the holidays. I’m thankful for the time to reflect, for the time to honor

and for the time to enjoy family. But let’s be very clear about what the holidays really means to corporate America,

it is a fat paycheck to pressure you, to coerce you, to trick you, to beguile you into purchasing, purchasing, purchasing. A lot of pressure happens during this time of year. As a matter of fact,

the height of depression takes place during the holidays. How is that

it’s supposed to be so cheery? Yeah, it is. But we got away from it. We got away from the idea of what it it should be about,

it’s for corporate America. It should be about family, connection, friends, fun, laughs, right? This is why I challenge the narrative about capitalism, unchecked capitalism, at that corporate greed.

Manipulation of markets

and individuals like you and I, we are left holding the bag literally.

So when we talk about a capitalistic society, understand nuances required to make it the best society possible,

pure capitalism looks like hell. It does. You have usury. You have children working in factories unsafe conditions. You have no union protections. You have no protection of minors, you do not get a fair wage at all, no minimum wage requirement, and companies are able to do basically what they please, because you have no rights. So nobody wants to uncheck capitalism. Even if you say you are for capitalism, you’re also for Social Security, right? That’s a social program. You’re also for public education, right? Another social program. There’s no constitutional mandate that says the government must provide a public school option. These are social programs that we have accepted and we have come to love about our nation.

My point is this,

let us figure out a way forward that allows for more nuanced conversation. As it relates to capitalism, yes, but also as it relates to how do you make capitalism work inside of a country where capitalism hasn’t really worked. Because last time I checked, a whole lot of folk are still trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Capitalism has not been the great Savior that individuals at the top of that food chain said it would be.

So let’s have an adult conversation. Go and get to 2025, and beyond. I.