for most liberals..........anyone accumulating wealth via Capitalism is a criminal.
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While I do not fully meet the definition of a liberal (see below), I certainly stand “for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically: such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities”.
So, as a “semi-liberal” (for lack of a better term), I believe that anyone who hoards resources to the point of being wasteful and to the point of allowing the less fortunate to suffer (via hoarding), is guilty of causing that suffering and thus immoral. In court cases, where there are relevant laws or precedents, those who cause others to suffer are often punished. So, in this sense, the above described hoarders could be considered criminals.
Capitalism is an economic system, not a political one (see below). Government has always had taxes in order to maintain order, the greater good, etc. Therefore, one can have a capitalistic economic system and a liberal political system, which acts to serve the greater good. Ungoverned Capitalism is not likely something even you (TurtleDude) would find acceptable (this means bad things, including monopolies).
I also wanted to clear up some common misconceptions. It seems that some are using the terms liberalist and socialist interchangeably. Clearly, as seen in the definition below, the two words do not mean the same thing. While one
can have a capitalistic economic system and a liberal political system, one
cannot have pure capitalism and pure socialism, as capitalism calls for the ownership and control of production, etc. to be in private hands and socialism calls for it to be in the hands of the community as a whole.
Please people, I spent some time trying to make these distinctions understandable, so if you don’t understand something please ask. Also, for those of you who are familiar with these concepts, I welcome any helpful additions.
Capitalism: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capitalism
Socialism: a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.
Socialism | Define Socialism at Dictionary.com
Liberalism: a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties; specifically : such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class)
Liberalism - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
