Hence I mentioned the planet...

Adam Smith had what he considered the answers for his time. Of course, capitalism does require constant growth, and the boom bust effects are natures way of telling us this. If the resource was infinite, capitalism could sustain society. As there is a finite resource, every winner needs a loser, hence the fluctuations.

Mind you, the alternative to capitalism does require a form of capitalism, albeit a stage managed one. That is unsustainable too. Me? Until somebody writes a different blueprint that is accepted through democratic means, I'll take my chances on taxes funding a social program. Taxes from profits and income. Profit and income from capitalism.

These days, I am straddling both public and private sector. Interestingly, I note my tax on my private sector income just about matches the top of the ticket on the small bit of work I do for a government body in the public sector. I consider myself neither an asset nor a liability. As I appear not to be a professional either, it's a good job I can down a pint faster than anybody who challenges me, otherwise I really would be worthless....