June 6th - 'We' are propping up a failing system

Although many countries - notably the US and the UK - have moved in recent years towards the liberal free-market system with minimal State intervention which many believe is our best way of finding a better life for all,  there are signs that (to say the least!) the cracks are beginning to appear and the State is increasingly having to intervene. Some years ago the government in the UK introduced support designed to supplement the poor wages some people were earning (we are supporting companies' wages bills), then came the 'bailing out' of the banks (we are paying bankers bonuses to repay their poor performance) and the UK government has this year launched its proposal to offer mortgages to people who are having difficulty borrowing money to buy a house (we are subsidising the building industry and many believe making it likely that house prices will go even higher)  Not much of a free market anymore!
So, I've come to see that capital will put pressure on national governments when anything blocks the path to growth, but that when things get tough the government is expected to prop up the failing system.
So, I've now come to the point where I can see that:
Capitalism with its dependence on growth is at the heart of many of our woes
Capitalism demands a free open road to pursue growth but expects government support when things get tough
The enterprise and technology which many see as the great strength of capitalism just isn't going to be enough to get the world out of the mess its in. We need technological fixes but we need much more.  But how will that be achieved?