• • 'In our face' capitalism 
Jon Talton, Seattle Times - John Talton Capitalism  | [T]he argument between what is today called “the free market” and “regulation and redistribution” in the safety net is a false one, borne of the Ayn Rand dogma that has taken over what passes for conservatism. Nobody paying attention since the Gilded Age thinks the two are exclusive, or doubts that regulation continues to exist but is largely gamed to benefit the regulated, and redistribution remains but is heavily redistributing income upward. The capitalism that made America a great world power is not what we see today at many of the highest levels of business. Instead, we see a Third World cronyism of highly concentrated industries, cartels and quasi-monopolies running the government for their benefit. That’s not American capitalism, which depended on regulation, progressive taxation, a dynamic and competitive field of many smaller players and an independent government to ensure the rule of law and fair play.   Published: 2013-03-18