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Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by dreamdu5t on Friday June 23, 2017 @11:51AM (#14620027)
You can't get $10k to start a hot dog stand but you can get billions of dollars with literally no plan for profit if you're already rich or seeking VC. But want to start a normal business? No capital for you! And your taxes will pay for the banks and VCs when they screw up.
Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by venture_lol on Friday June 23, 2017 @12:23PM (#14620329)
When companies hoard profits, they really serve no purpose and no-one but to perpetuate their control and to reduce and eliminate the ability of others to compete. The massive access to capital is akin to a super power. Well, superpower can be used by for better or for worse.

Just as anti-trust laws are necessary, there will be drives for measures to encourage and even force companies to put their cash piles to use. Cash is the life of an economy, it needs to flow and flow.

Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by balls187 on Friday June 23, 2017 @12:11PM (#14620217)
I get that this is hyperbole, but:

1. There are plenty of US Government (i.e. tax payer funded) programs to help people get "normal" ideas off the ground. From grants, to loans, the money is there. It's hard to imagine someone destined for success being stopped by not being able to raise $10k. $10k in credit card debt is nothing for the average american.

2. Success breeds success. If you're rich, you may already have your own skin in the game, or you may have proven yourself capable of using capital effectively.

Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by xenadu02 on Friday June 23, 2017 @01:11PM (#14620815)
> 1. There are plenty of US Government (i.e. tax payer funded) programs to help people get "normal" ideas off the ground. From grants, to loans, the money is there. It's hard to imagine someone destined for success being stopped by not being able to raise $10k. $10k in credit card debt is nothing for the average american.

You've obviously never tried this. It would be a full-time job for a year to even have a shot at these supposed grants. The money is absolutely not there the way you claim.

The younger you are the less credit history you have which makes getting loans almost impossible unless you already have collateral to pledge against the loan.

Oh and $10k is often not nearly enough capital to start a business since you need to pay your own bills while you bootstrap the business. We get away with it in tech often because we have the luxury of working after-hours as a side-project to start with. A customer-facing business can't do that.

Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by balls187 on Friday June 23, 2017 @02:05PM (#14621303)
> It would be a full-time job for a year to even have a shot at these supposed grants.

How bad do you want to start a business?

How long do you think startup founders work before having something that is worthy for seed funding?

Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by xiaoma on Friday June 23, 2017 @12:30PM (#14620417)
Since you seem knowledgeable about this, what is the amount of credit card debt available to the median American above what they already carry?
Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by balls187 on Friday June 23, 2017 @02:04PM (#14621293)
Above what they carry is irrelevant. American's can get themselves on average up to 5-7k of debt[1], it's reasonable assumption that if one was determined, they could get $10k in credit.

https://www.valuepenguin.com/average-credit-card-debt

Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by xiaoma on Sunday June 25, 2017 @02:13AM (#14628881)
I can say from first-hand experience a few years ago that your assumption—which you presented as fact—is false.
Re:Crony capitalism may be cannibalizing productive capitali... by pnutjam on Friday June 23, 2017 @03:13PM (#14621930)
$10k would be life changing to many American familes.