Capitalism vs. cronyism, collaborative competition
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Equality & Nixburg News
Jennifer Williamson
I have heard people complain about big business and say, “Well that’s capitalism,” and I just have to shake my head. No, what we are experiencing in this country is not capitalism, it is cronyism.
Companies use government for their own gain, lobbying, donating, pressuring, while buying up and controlling until there is no true competition.
The Wikipedia definition is “Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and its use for the purpose of obtaining profit… Capitalist economies may experience business cycles of economic expansion followed by recessions.”
From my decades of business experience it is during these recessions that innovation and change can occur that lead to future expansion. So why do these large conglomerates beg our governments to use our tax dollars to “bail” them out when tough times hit?
True capital economies would tell them to bite the bullet, adapt or die, and if they are a business with current technology or product relevant to our society it will fight to survive and come out the better for doing it without a bailout.
Another misused concept is competition. Healthy competition isn’t trying to run another company out of business or using lobbying power to create an environment that other businesses can’t survive. Competition is a good thing and can be collaborative. Yes, competition can be collaborative.
Take the diamond district in New York or Amsterdam or retail clothing in a mall. Lots of similar businesses in one location which attracts more customers. Each business has its own style, marketing, sales, offerings, customer service, reward programs, etc. They are collaborative in sharing the same customer base yet competing for those same customers.
A town or city with only one business or only one owner of all businesses doesn’t do its customers right and limits the number of customers they will attract.
There was a town where one man owned all the gas stations in town. Residents hated doing business with him and went out of their way to another gas station owned by anyone else rather than doing business with him. He thought he would get all the profits, but instead limited his profits and did a disservice to his community.
We need more businesses, and business owners who are willing to be collaborative with healthy competition.
My retail store has different offerings than the other retail store down the street, which is good. We can work together to attract more shoppers while also working businesses to compete for sales from those increased shoppers. Win for our businesses and a win for the customers who get a broader variety of options.
Equality Volunteer Fire Department will be selling Boston butts and a rack of St. Louis ribs for $35 each over Memorial Day weekend. Distribution day will be May 23, from 8 .a.m to 2 p.m. at the fire department lodge. Please support our local volunteer fire department with this great fund-raising activity.
Community activities that are available that you can support:
- The Equality quilting group which meets every Monday evening from 6 to 8 at Jenny’s General Store. We do more than quilt; some embroider, crochet and other needle arts.
- Kendrick Memorial Baptist Church’s yard sale, held most Saturdays starting at 8 a.m. Address is 5152 Ala. Hwy. 9 in case you haven’t noticed it driving on Highway 9.
- Elaine Rutledge of Nixburg hosts Rummikub at the Alexander City Senior Center in the Sportplex every first and third Friday starting at 10 a.m.
- Sequel Campbell’s Thirsty Thursday herbal class is April 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Jenny’s General, featuring spring greens dandelion, cleavers and chickweed. Cost is $45.
- Equality Neighborhood Watch meeting will be held Thursday, April 23, starting at 6:30 p.m.
I depend upon my readers to share with me what is happening within your organizations, churches, neighborhoods, groups, or family to share in next week’s column. Please contact me; leave a voice message or text 256-531-6460 or email at coosacafe@gmail.com.
