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Comment by chiefalchemist | Hacker News Reader

I reads like they didn't just bury the lede, they completely missed it. The US doesn't have capitalism. We have crony capitalism. The latter having little to do with actual capitalism (i.e., free markets).

So while the public might be trusting in one thing, behind the scenes (and under the table) big biz is constantly having Uncle Sam put his thumb on the scale.

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I think it's helpful to understand capitalism as a historical process in the real world, and not as a pure idea which society fails to live up to. The state had an important role in the development of capitalism everywhere, it still plays a crucial role, and that's just the nature of the system. It's possible that you just don't actually like capitalism - healthy!

Yes. Agreed. But there is a difference between guidance, direction and seeding (e.g., post fossil fuel energy source); and putting its thumb on the scale to provide favoritism, protect markets that don't need protection, subsidies that have out lived their purpose and so on.

It's ok if we don't have free markets. It's not ok to perpetuate the idea that we do, especially when behind the scenes actions don't seek free markets.

I guess only a True Scotsman would know for sure.

Yes, Adam Smith would know for sure!

Or a Texas Sharpshooter.

> The US doesn't have capitalism. We have crony capitalism

No True Communism called, they want their punchline back!

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