Bill Maher's New Rule: Not Everything in America Has to Make a Profit

[saysmydoctor]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-not-everything-i_b_244050.html

Bill Maher blogged earlier about this 'everything has to profitable' mentality. I personally find Bill Maher someone I agree with once and a while, but this particular blog I believe he is 100% spot on. I don't want to make this just about the blog sthough o let's try to address the bigger issue.

This need for profit stems from our capitalist fundamentals. How do we alter this? How do we alter the military-industrial complex to make it firmly under the control of the government where it should be? How do we alter the mentality that the betterment of the condition of the people around us ultimately benefits everybody? How do we fix this concept of individual responsibility being skewed to be something that the left doesn't embrace when in reality the left relies on the collective individual responsibilities of each member within the whole of society in order for it to function?

[pseudonym28]

i agree.

[saysmydoctor]

Also, as a corollary, how did it really get this way? The prisons, the hospitals, these weren't always for-profit institutions. How did it happen?

[The Pharmacist]

haha "whats wrong with firemen? they must be commies that explains the red trucks" oh but he makes a good point. we became so greedy that we make what used to be simple things into such complex webs where if money isnt' made its cut, and it hurts America in the future, and now. Corporations are(i guess were now) concerned with the now, and don't care how they affect the future or the people of this country

[Praetor]

WHAT A MARXIST

x

[derekmoyer4]

WHAT A MARXIST

x
are you assuming that marxist ideas can only be considered negative?

i typically enjoy bill maher and this blog was dead-on. everything he said was accurate, thought-out and truthful. the "great" country of america is completely blind in regards to its own deficiencies and pitfalls.

[Praetor]

are you assuming that marxist ideas can only be considered negative?

i typically enjoy bill maher and this blog was dead-on. everything he said was accurate, thought-out and truthful. the "great" country of america is completely blind in regards to its own deficiencies and pitfalls.
No, I was being sarcastic.

[Burnout2888]

No, I was being sarcastic.

You'd think the x at the end would have sold it, haha.

[Love As Arson]

Bill's mistake is thinking this is something new. By nature, the system commodifies everything, including humans.

[Until The Bombs]

I'm not one to necessarily believe that these institutions should be treated like capitalist corporations, but not for profits often rely on government subsidies. This requires more taxation, which isn't always a bad thing, although in these instances on which Maher spoke of, I don't believe I'd support it.

[Stormtrooper]

Totally agree with most of it. Things like health care and war should never be based on making the most profit. But for the news, it gets a little bit iffy.

[Animalhill]

Totally agree with most of it. Things like health care and war should never be based on making the most profit. But for the news, it gets a little bit iffy.
How?

[Stormtrooper]

How?

If news becomes a not for profit industry controlled by the government. You are also controlling the output of events to 99% of people and government run/controlled/regulated TV which would obviously not be good (in my case).The government should not even be able to touch the news. Look at what they have done so far, fining broadcasters for using a single curse word. If they got a hold of the money of a news system, they would have power over it which is not a good thing. Because we all know, money = power.

[Animalhill]

If news becomes a not for profit industry controlled by the government. You are also controlling the output of events to 99% of people and government run/controlled/regulated TV which would obviously not be good (in my case).The government should not even be able to touch the news. Look at what they have done so far, fining broadcasters for using a single curse word. If they got a hold of the money of a news system, they would have power over it which is not a good thing. Because we all know, money = power.
Obviously, so with the current system that is no doubt overflowing with fiscal incentive, the amount of bullshit we are being force fed is both startling, and purposeful.

[saysmydoctor]

If news becomes a not for profit industry controlled by the government. You are also controlling the output of events to 99% of people and government run/controlled/regulated TV which would obviously not be good (in my case).The government should not even be able to touch the news. Look at what they have done so far, fining broadcasters for using a single curse word. If they got a hold of the money of a news system, they would have power over it which is not a good thing. Because we all know, money = power.
Whoever said that in order to be non-profit you have to be controlled by the government? The Red Cross? Doctors Without Borders?

[Stormtrooper]

Whoever said that in order to be non-profit you have to be controlled by the government? The Red Cross? Doctors Without Borders?

Thats very true and I can't say I know all the numbers but I doubt that their budget could support a universal healthcare. Donations or blood revenue would have to increase exponentially. Getting more money from the government is one thing but then again, that goes back to the problem of increased taxation and a lot more controversy.

[simensays]

I say if it pays the bills you're fine

[Animalhill]

I say if it pays the bills you're fine
If what pays the bills?

[kwsqd]

meh. He didn't really say anything interesting or new... at all. :shrug:

[Until The Bombs]

Whoever said that in order to be non-profit you have to be controlled by the government? The Red Cross? Doctors Without Borders?

Wish I wasn't at work so that I could spend a little time looking into this, but where does their funding come from? What they have the ability to do is dictated by their funding, contributions made to non-profits (that rely on contributions) can be, and often are, designated for specific programs and may not be used for anything other than said programs.

[saysmydoctor]

Also, grants from the government. My mom worked for a non-profit women's shelter and they got millions in grants from the state of California.