Capitalism vs. Commercialism

[seymoure]

I think there is an important distinction to be made here. When people ask me if I am a capitalist, I have to admit that making money is not a bad thing to me. I'm not hotly in pursuit of money, but neither do I throw it away. But I think the difference between capitalism (which is, in its best terms) a good thing, and commercialism (which, is not) are great. Commercialism is where making money is what society is about. Getting YOU to buy things (whether or not you need them) is what makes the world go round. Donald Trump is a hero in the commercial world. But capitalism is believing in the right of one to produce something of worth and getting a fair dollar for it. Commercialism is about the dollar, first, last and always. Craftsmanship and Artisan-ship are keystones of capitalism. Selling is what commercialism is about. Commercials are the foot print of commercialism. And what do they do? They make most of America feel like there is so much they are missing, and therefore they are unfulfilled. If I had the right car, and the right clothes and bought the right products, et al., then I would be happy like the people in the beer commercials. But the truth is, if you can offer something that you create, that makes people's lives better and can reap from that enough money to live comfortably on, then you should be happy. You don't need the LATEST! The most POPULAR! You need the life that fulfills you, and only you. If I never own a designer anything, I'll be just fine. My oldest clothes (that are nowhere near fashionable) are the most comfortable. I am a happy man, no matter what the commercials tell me. I am now and forever, a capitalist who is not to interested in money, but happy to buy things that make me smile, but not necessarily chic.