The Invisible Hand of the Market? More Like a Punch in the Gut

For decades, economists have preached the gospel of the "invisible hand" guiding markets toward efficiency and prosperity. But what happens when that hand isn't just invisible—it's actively picking your pocket?

The Myth of Market Benevolence

The idea that free markets self-regulate for the greater good is deeply flawed. Consider these realities:

• Corporate profits hit record highs while real wages stagnate
• Essential medications see price hikes of 1,000% overnight
• Housing becomes unaffordable as investment firms buy entire neighborhoods

When Efficiency Means Exploitation

Market fundamentalists ignore how "efficiency" often translates to:

1. Shrinking product sizes while maintaining prices (shrinkflation)
2. Replacing experienced workers with underpaid temps
3. Cutting safety corners to boost quarterly earnings

A 2023 study revealed that 78% of price increases had nothing to do with supply costs—just profit motives.

The Alternative: A Market That Serves People

We don't need to abandon markets—we need to reshape them with:

• Consumer protections that actually protect
• Worker ownership models that share prosperity
• Anti-monopoly enforcement with teeth

What Do You Think?

• Should corporations have unlimited freedom to set prices during crises?
• Is it ethical for investors to buy up housing during shortages?
• Would you support price controls on essentials like food and medicine?
• Are current market failures just temporary glitches or systemic flaws?
• Should companies making record profits pay higher tax rates?

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