On the individual level we can surely all agree that the capitalist's behavior is inhumane, but I don't think it's dumb or short-sighted as implied by the comic. The capitalist employer is making an optimal move from the perspective of profit-maximization, business competitiveness and perhaps even class solidarity with other employers by paying its workers as little as possible. They're responding to incentives in order to maximize profit. It's implied here that the long term effects of this may prove unsustainable, but then, are we ready to consider the possibility that they may not? On the other hand, forcing all employers to pay their employees more (by raising the minimum wage, for instance) might very well positively impact the economy as a whole (not that I'd know for sure - not an economist), along with, of course, the quality of life for working class citizens, though we should consider that it'd likely disproportionately affect businesses with thinner profit margins (potentially reducing competition, negatively affecting the cost and availability of some goods and services in the long run).