Social Justice and the capitalist market.

Our monthly Social Justice Book Club at the Lake Travis Community Public Library has been reading, "What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets" by Michael J. Sandel.

I initially made the comment I didn't care for the book because it brought forward no solutions. Another person responded suggesting we read a book by David Harvey as a next selection.

I just wanted to share an e-mail comment I made to the group:

I think reading David Harvey would be a great idea since Marxism remains the primary opposition to capitalism. All too often we only hear the voices of the anti-Marxists; and, like with the current book, we only get a critique of what is wrong with providing rationing for the well-being of people through the market-based system with no alternatives suggested... perhaps the biggest failing of the capitalist market-based for-profit system is in the area of health care and our failure to be able to bring the concept of a National Public Health Care System (socialized health care) into the proverbial public square even just for discussion because the two major parties are the guardians of this present health care system when in fact, a National Public Health Care System is no more controversial than public education which functions very well when properly funded and not controlled by an arrogant well-heeled intellectual elite although a much more progressive way of funding a National Public Health Care System would have to be considered since the reactionary and regressive property tax has provided a much better public education for the wealthy than for the working class.

I would hope our discussion of the current book would focus on market-based health care so we become voices for opening up a real dialog on something that really counts... for real change which social justice is all about.

Priorities also have to be questioned since Lyndon Johnson, in spite of his proclaiming we could fund a “Great Society” and wars at the same time has been proven wrong... apparently a conclusion he came to too late in life while endorsing George McGovern for president... an endorsement which took place right here in Texas Hill Country at Johnson’s ranch during a lengthy meeting and discussion between the two... the content of which is still being concealed from the public... and concealed by? A market-driven corporate media. Apparently “the market” can’t deliver information to us any better than it can deliver health care.

For more info on a National Public Health Care System check out my blog post and the links in it here: https://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2017/11/one-of-my-blog-posts-hits-all-time-high.html