My general economic stance

I'm not a centralized-command socialist, but I'm not a laissez-faire capitalist either. As a Green, I'm distrustful of large government and big business alike, and for similar reasons.

If I had to sum it up in a soundbite or two, I'd say this:

• "The basics are free - and you can work for the extras." The fundamental needs of life - food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, etc. - should be available to everyone. (This follows directly from the Golden Rule on the one hand, and the "inalienable rights" language in the Declaration on the other.)
  
• At the same time, one should be able to work for as many extra goodies as one might want - though we have to evaluate carefully the effects of our "wants" on other people and on the larger environment, and be responsible about the choices we make when it comes to those "extra goodies."
• Neglecting that responsibility eventually - and inevitably - brings negative consequences.

For me, that all follows directly from the Golden Rule. Your mileage, of course, may vary.