Yes indeed. I think the consequences of the tendency capitalism’s toward monopoly are all round very negative and particularly destructive in some cases.

I live in Valencia, Spain where there is still an abundance of small independent traders: cafes, bars, Iron Mongers, bakers, vegetable shops, clothes shops, and the green grocer type shops etc. In Britain the chain shops dominate all sectors of the economy and culture.


Many supermarkets do exist of course, and chains, but they don’t dominate nowhere near as much as they do in Britain yet: Spain went "Free market" crazy quite some time after Britain did, so it remains to be seen whether they go the way of Britain and wipe out the small independent high street trader, and the choice, quality, the reasonable prices and the more human social interaction that goes with buying stuff in them. You know not the: here’s the bill, give us the cash, have a nice day and fuck off because I really hate working here for peanuts... next customer please

But I hope not because I think there is a strong tradition in Spain of preserving culture, not least the traditional foods, and respecting the land. Spain and other countries can learn and avoid the mistakes and destruction caused in Britain, US and other countire that are recklessly leading the neoliberal fundamentalist movent, by going foot down, steaming ahead along the mis-named •free market road towards a kind of repressive barbarism.

You know, I think the only thing the "free market" has freed up is to freely allow foreign investment to come into a country - to remove restrictions on the flow of cash around the globe This all sounds nice because the capitalist always uses language that tries to make you think that they are doing you a favour, What it really means is that anyone around the world can have a stab at makeing money out of you, or in your country; that is, the vultures have been multiplied many times: the vultures have been let loose, and given the freedom to rip off anyone in th world, and steal the worlds resources.

That is the capitalist has ben given more freedom to rob us and the world of its ressources: both natural and human.

In fact, all aspects of capitalism are very tightly regulated by contract, associations and governments too, and short-term contracts in favour of the dominant capitalist have become universal.

In the case of supermarkets, suppliers are fixed into contracts, sometimes very short-term, and must increase productivity to keep the contract. A consequence is a decrease in the quality of the product, and a decrease in the employment conditions of the associated workers, but a hefty increase in income for the capitalist running dogs.

Additionally, the supplier is tied in to this contract and they are not free to sell elsewhere for the duration of the contract. The supplier then becomes dependent on the supermarket and not the other way around, maybe as it should be.

It also seems that freedom of choice is increasing being restricted.

The reality is that the "free market" capitalist has been given more freedom to rip us off, they have been given more freedom to make more money out of us: they have been given the freedom to further oppression, and in reality the economic freedom of the vast majority in the world is being decreased.

It is well know that President Bush has a problem with the English language, but the capitalist does too: in truth they use words that gain their meaning and currency though the dominant, all oppressive, pervasive propaganda systems constructed by the friends of the capitalist that can seap into dampen and drown all aspects of our lives, unless you are concious of these propaganda systems and so are able to some degree to counter them and benefit the lives of yourself, your friends, your people, and your family.

When the words "•Free Market" "Make Free" or "freedom" are used, what is really meant, is yes, "Free" the capitalist to make a bigger killing, but restrict the economic, social and mental freedom of the vast majority. The word has been turned over on its arse and has got a new meaning by its continual use under the blanket of the all pervasive propaganda system used to prop up very unfree markets. Look at it for what it really is: the freedom to further rip us off, and turn us into slaves to make the lives of a minority more comfortable.



This is an extract from:

Harold Hamlet´s Hand-on-Chin Musings.( CopyLeft)

It is really that simple , and you put it across simply.
Good luck in Valencia , sounds good.
Maybe take a look ,sometime soon.

Cafe Lisboa in sunny Plaza Doctor Collado, just across the street from the spectacular Mercado Central and in the heart of the historic Bario of Carmen, is a great place to bring your dog.