4mo ago

Jeff Bezos is scared to have an open debate on economics

jacobin.com Jeff Bezos Is Scared to Have an Open Debate on Economics

By banning perspectives critical of the status quo, Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos is turning a major news outlet into a mouthpiece for market fundamentalists. If the ideas he champions are so defensible, why is he squeamish about debate?

Summary

Jeff Bezos has directed The Washington Post to only publish opinions supporting free market economics, prompting criticism that he is using his ownership to shield pro-capitalist ideology.

This shift comes after past editorial interference, including blocking an endorsement of Kamala Harris.

Critics argue Bezos’s claim that pro-market views are "underserved" is absurd, given their dominance in major newspapers.

The move highlights concerns over billionaire control of media and the suppression of alternative economic perspectives, particularly those advocating for greater government intervention and worker rights.

17 comments

WaPo was independent. Now it's compromised. Just remember that next time you read a WaPo article, is all.
- WaPo should really remove the 'Democracy dies in darkness' if they choose to no longer support democracy. Kind of like how Google removed the, 'Don't be evil' motto, when it didn't suit them anymore.

Jeff bezos is a ceo, who gives a fuck what he has to say on the economy?
If the topic were “how to exploit workers to become a billionaire” sure maybe he’d have some pointers.
- Politicians. They will listen and act on whatever he wants.

Open debate topic: what marinade is best for cooking billionaires?
- Hydrofluoric acid

I see his transformation into Doctor Evil (both physically and psychologically) is continuing unabated.
- Amazon bought the rights to the Bond series last week.
  The dude has a triple mansion private island called the "billionaire bunker". Is a media magnate, one of the richest, most powerful people in the world. Has insane, blackmailable data on almost any person's ourchase history. Sitting behind the president at inauguration. Brutal to his employees in their warehouses and elsewhere. You can't get any more bond villain than that!

bozo is probably afraid of his own shadow right about now.
- He should be.

Excuse me but who gives a fuck what a leech of his proportion has to say about economics. One of the biggest wellfare queens in the country shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a microphone and here we are spreading his bullshit. Fuck bezos, let’s hope there is a Mario party future for him and his ilk

Gotta perpetuate that Capitalist Realism.

Genuine question: What is wrong with free markets? This is directly contradicting Trump tariffs.
- Maybe free markets are better if everyone started at 0. But in free (unregulated) markets, the prime incentive is to convert public goods (the Commons) into private property, at the expense and loss of society. Our regulations are to force companies to be less evil against people with fewer resources.
  
  Adam Smith, the father of modern capitalism, was very clear that free markets had to be well regulated by definition otherwise they would tend towards monopolies and non productive rent seeking behaviors. Only a well regulated free market can remain stable and competitive in the long run.
  The capitalists aren't even playing by their own playbook anymore they just want all the money and everyone else to die I guess.
  
  I think we need definitions. Example: the EU has an internal free market for goods. This market is definitely not unregulated.

17 comments