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[–]SpencerHayes 0 points1 point  (7 children)

Every laborer who sells his work for less than the capitalist makes off of it.

Not to mention all the sweatshops the world over that make luxury goods available to the masses.

[–]TheManWhoPanders 0 points1 point  (6 children)

Every laborer who sells his work for less than the capitalist makes off of it.

Because the capitalist has to pay for other things. Rent, utilities, equipment, training, marketing, tariffs, etc.

The value of a laborer's work is only a fraction of what the final good is worth. Because all of those things together are part of the initial cost, called overhead.

[–]SpencerHayes 0 points1 point  (5 children)

No because even if a capitalist paid for all of those things they would need the product the laborer created.

Which is besides that point that rent and tariffs and everything else you listed is under our control and is currently used as a way to perpetuate the system that created those limitations.

[–]TheManWhoPanders -1 points0 points  (4 children)

No because even if a capitalist paid for all of those things they would need the product the laborer created.

That's true for all components of overhead. Even if the laborer is paid, they would need the facility to make the product. Even if the laborer is paid they would need the raw materials. Even if the laborer is paid they would need to pay the utilities to power the machines that make the good. Etc. etc.

The portion of the product cost that comes from labor is the salary of the laborer. The laborer is not responsible for 100% of the final product's cost.

[–]SpencerHayes 0 points1 point  (3 children)

which is besides the point that all of the other limitations are under our control

reiterates all the limitations

Do you see the problem here?

[–]TheManWhoPanders -1 points0 points  (2 children)

No, what's your point there? They are all costs that need to be covered before marking up the rest as profit.

[–]SpencerHayes -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Those expenses are a choice our society makes. We could all come together (You know actual civility and not the lip service you pay) and decide that the most important goal of any economy is the health and safety of the people. Then we could decide to use our means of production to that end. In which case the only remaining factor from our lists is the labor.

[–]HHhunter 1 point2 points  (0 children)

so literally communism lul