Prince of a fellow

I'm all for capitalism. (I didn't get that business degree for nothing.) Just not capitalism of the unbridled variety, which would grind everyone and everything in its path into dust. But bridled capitalism? I'm there. And by bridled capitalism I mean capitalism that pays workers a living wage, provides a safe and sane workplace, lets people retire before they drop dead in their tracks, builds products that don't kill people, doesn't lie about its people-killing products, shares its wealth with those who helped build it, doesn't price rapaciously just because they can (seriously, the man that came up with insulin gave the patent away for free so that the lives of diabetics would be saved; today, we have people going broke paying for their insulin - or dying because they can't pay), doesn't dump toxic waste wherever it wants, etc.

There's a reason that the regulatory apparatus built up around capitalism. Think Triangle Shirtwaist. Think Love Canal. Think Purdue Pharma.

But while capitalism may not be super-great, and is, in fact, pretty damned flawed, but it sure beats its opposite number.

I was in Berlin just as The Wall was falling and got to see what Communism produced and it wasn't pretty. We went "shopping" in East Berlin a few times: underwear that seemed to be made out of sheetrock; rotten apples; pairs of shoes with two left feet. (Okay: almost but not quite.) Everything gray, drab, depressing. And repressive. There's a reason why Communist societies tend to end up with gulags, while capitalism gives you The Hamptons.

And I actually believe that capitalism, the free market is going to save us.

Once companies start demanding that their employees get vaccinated or lose their jobs (or pay more for their insurance coverage), I'm guessing we're going to see a lot more whining - but a lot more people getting vaccinated. And maybe, just maybe, the pandemic will wind down.

And it's the insurance companies that are going to lead the private sector charge on global warming.

So, capitalism: Yay! Not a stunningly loud yay, but yay nonetheless.

But capitalism sure does produce plenty of rotters.

Case in point, war profiteer and mercenary par excellence Eric Prince, who was offering to fly Afghans out of Kabul Airport for $6,500 a seat. Extra charges if you need help making your way to Kabul Airport.

When there's a major global humanitarian effort underway to help those Afghans who justifiably fear life under the Taliban get out alive, this prince of a fellow sees only an opportunity to make a buck.

I suppose if you're an Afghan with the scratch, and you're someone who wouldn't otherwise make it onto an American or allied or humanitarian plane, you'd be all in on this. Still, anyone with any combination of heart and/or soul wouldn't be looking to make a buck at a time like this. 

But it's no surprise:

Prince, the brother of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and a top donor to former President Donald Trump, is no stranger to controversy: he allegedly violated a U.N. embargo by selling weapons to Libya, reportedly recruited spies to infiltrate liberal groups and he even reportedly planned to create a private army in Ukraine.

Just imagine what Thanksgiving dinner must be like for this family. Do they sit around giving thanks for all the evil that they do? Play games of one-ups-man-ship? You think you did something shitty? Have I got a topper for you. Do they compare bank accounts?

Needless to say, Prince positions himself as a philanthropist.

Here's what they have to say on Blackwater Worldwide (and, no, I can't figure out what relationship this outfit has to all the different other entities Prince has founded and renamed):

Mr. Prince’s philanthropic endeavors are focused on refugees, humanitarian relief and economic development.

Refugees? As in all those desperate Afghans? Humanitarian relief? As in charging refugees an exorbitant amount to get to safety? 

Now economic development. That one's pretty clear. Mr. Prince seems pretty focused on his own.

As I said, I've got nothing against capitalism. I just don't like this guy's brand.