So, capitalism is not mandatory, then. It is the best system we have found, thus far. As you agree, there are certain issues with capitalism. Do you feel we should not look for alternatives or improvements, then?

In this particular case, it appears that the owners of the capital enterprise attempted to shift the risk onto the employees by not paying them their due when the business was doing poorly.

You say it is necessary but then give three examples of alternatives you consider worse. Which is it, the only option, or, in your opinion, the best option?

In many jurisdictions, Uber drivers are not required by law to accept your destination if it does not please them. A taxi faces consequences if they do that. The playing field is not even and Uber does not follow the same rules.

A taxi company knowing my phone number and location of pickup and location of drop-off is not "about as much information" as having my spacial coordinates and contact list at all times. Not even the same order of magnitude.

Your lament over taxi companies not having privacy policies is kind of odd. First, such policies protect the company, not you. Second, taxi companies have to follow rules, many of which cover privacy, which Uber flaunts.

It's interesting that the most walled of all the gardens actually gives the user the most control over their device.

Some operating systems have more granular permission options. It is certainly possible to be sensible with how much data one gives to a particular application.

Cost per issue is an objective measure. Cost per unit value ("actual news and analysis") is a subjective measure. While I personally agree with you, I feel objective data makes a better answer to the question of publication funding.

The Economist sells 1.5 million issues per week. Their subscriptions number over 1 million. Their subscriptions are growing almost 50% per year. They also charge more than most weekly magazines.

That is not always true. There are still journalists who write for publications for which the reader is the customer.

Yes, but good journalists cost money and most people have stopped wanting to pay for journalism. That said, there are still some publications out there that have a healthy body of paid readership willing to find actual non-sensational journalism.

In Washington State, and likely other states, you are not forced to buy car insurance if you drive. You may instead buy a liability bond or obtain a certificate of deposit to prove you could pay any liability claims yourself. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the options, but the choices are there.

It does not come free with every phone call; we're playing for it.

No of course not, but if I were in the market for a loan from a bank, having him do that would be well-worth the long term loan-costs he could save me.

I would hand the letter to my lawyer, who would then work with credit bureaus to clean up fraudulent activity on my credit report.