Advertisement
Opinion

Capitalism is the root of all our problems. We need to stop focusing on profit and listen to nature

This reader says capitalism is destroying us and our only course of action is to spend money wisely for the many, not hoard it for the few

Once, long ago, I was street homeless. I did have a family home I could have probably gone back to, but at the time I didn’t feel able to. I’ve also stayed in short-term housing and a refuge. I’ve also, strangely enough, considered being a landlord. When I look at the housing crisis in this country, and around the world, along with mental health crisis, drug crisis, the crisis in the NHS, the prison system and the biodiversity and climate change crisis, I keep thinking all these problems stem from one root cause. It is capitalism on steroids, where profit is seen as a god that is more important than people or planet, that is what needs to change. 

We need to start appreciating the natural world we depend on, and working together to save it, and provide a decent life for everyone on the planet. We have the know-how, we have the money, we just need to start spending it wisely for the benefit of all, not the ludicrous luxury of a few. To take just one example, our government wants to spend £205 billion on new nuclear weapons, that money could be spent on building three million affordable homes, creating new jobs in construction. For too long capitalism has been focused on what is politically possible, I think mother nature is just beginning to show us what we really need to be working on. 

Kate Taylor

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

How many kids, Keir?

Ask the PM to tell us how many kids he'll get out of poverty
Image of two parents holding two small children, facing away from the camera

Recommended for you

Read All
Cold homes are costing lives. Labour's warm homes plan must deliver on its promise
winter heating payment
Andria Mastroianni and Matt Copeland

Cold homes are costing lives. Labour's warm homes plan must deliver on its promise

Universal credit is set to rise – but it needs to be based on the amount we actually need to get by
two people in a supermarket
 Katie Schmuecker

Universal credit is set to rise – but it needs to be based on the amount we actually need to get by

More people are dying from nitazenes – we risk repeating the US fentanyl crisis
a syringe and pills of drugs
Ant Lehane

More people are dying from nitazenes – we risk repeating the US fentanyl crisis

On a train journey across England I take a trip into my past
John Bird

On a train journey across England I take a trip into my past

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payments: Where to get help in 2025 now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue