Businesswoman Chapter 99

Emblazoned on the two screens, the names of Businesswoman and Businessgirl and the words “What Kinds of Capitalism Exist?” showed in Helvetica Bold.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” speaker Ronnie Starkington announced. “It is an honor and privilege to have crusaders for the free market here on this panel.” Applause.

“Now let’s get into it. Both of you are no fans of ‘compassionate capitalism.’ Why not?”

“It’s something worse than a package deal,” Loreen explained. “It smuggles in something pure and wants to show that something that can at times be positive like compassion should belong in the same concept.”

Lisa looked about her and could not find her parents in the room in the dimness like searching the twilight of the evening.

“Yes,” Lisa supported Loreen. “There’s just capitalism. That’s it. There’s no constructive capitalism, or empathic capitalism, or compassionate capitalism. The only modifier compatible with the term is laissez-faire capitalism.” Applause and a few shouts raised from the room.

“Okay, so what about family members, people who aren’t strangers grifting and begging on the streets. Is it then capitalism that shows compassion?”

Loreen spoke again. “With family and friends, it’s okay to trade value for value. They may not have the dollar amount just yet but they might possess honor, courage, and commitment. They may be intelligent. These are the currencies you deal with when it comes to those close to you. If you give a beggar a quarter, let it not be out of compassion but a trade for good will in the face of hardship.” More applause and more shouts lifted up from the space.

Lisa again searched for her family. None. She knew this event would be recorded, but she gave them tickets. Her stomach dropped like a stock on the open market of trading.