Responsible Capitalism: a political oxymoron

The papers and TV are full of it: British politics has a new battleground. And not just any old battleground, mind you. One that promises to define the prevailing ideology. We are hearing lots of talk of 'responsible capitalism' and 'moral capitalism'. No doubt someone (probably Nick Clegg who seems to be developing a penchant for making vacuous statements) will soon be waxing lyrical about 'cuddly capitalism'. Personally I like the idea of 'People's Capitalism', but that's just the old leftie in me.
Tory Dave and Hapless Ed are locked in mortal combat over ownership of this supposedly lucrative piece of political real estate. Labour’s leader sees an opportunity; the Conservatives a threat. For Ed it is the chance to show that he is setting the agenda, that he's making the weather – and that he’s not as crap as everyone thinks he is (too late, Ed, you are heading for Edmegedon and it's not that far away). For Dave it represents an exposed flank, a dark cloud on a relatively untroubled horizon. Plus, he’s got to do it because Ed’s forced him to (and it gives him an opportunity to show us his caring face. Don't you just love it when he does 'sincere'?).
As you may have guess from the title of this posting, I've got very little time for their apologies for capitalism. I'd love someone (and by rights it should be Ed) to be advocating a democratic socialist alternative to it. Anything else is pussyfooting around with a bankrupt system that has clearly had its day. There needs to be a fundamental change in the way we manage our affairs. We need to replace free market madness, with its inbuilt greed and selfishness, with a system of sharing and co-operation.
To quote the late lamented Bill Shankly (one-time manager of Liverpool Football Club): "The socialism I believe in is not really politics. It is a way of living. It is humanity. I believe the only way to live and to be truly successful is by collective effort, with everyone working for each other, everyone helping each other, and everyone having a share of the rewards at the end of the day". I compare those words to the latest inane utterings from Ed about 'responsible capitalism' and weep.