I have always been an ardent fan of capitalism. Nevertheless, I have some pretty serious reservations about some of its manifestations. I have always identified free entry to and exit from the marketplace as foundational to the practice of capitalism. If it is hard to compete with a large company because their products and services are great, that is one thing. If they engage in predatory trade practices with the sole aim of preventing competition, that is where I would draw the line.
I have also felt quit uncomfortable with the idea that my love for capitalism has been at odds with my disdane for consumerism and materialsim. I was very gratified to find a post on Matt Walsh‘s blog that describes better than I possibly could, the difference between consumerism and capitalism. It is OK, even a great good to embrace capitalism and not consumerism. It is worth your while to read the article.
