Nafta Wal Mart The Human condition

Written by: Ray Guillory on Oct 27, 2007 9:26 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy for Florida

WALMART

I try to be a law abiding citizen, but sometimes I just feel like sticking it to the man. When I think about the whole corporate culture of Wal-Mart, it makes me want to shoplift a computer and return it for a refund. Wal Mart buys most of its products from our leading world competitors, countries and companies with labor practices we would never tolerate on our own shores, companies with policies that have not been tolerated in the U.S. in over a hundred years. When wal mart allows itself to purchase a $2 shirt made by child labor, who is paid far less than what anyone would call a substandard wage , how can US companies compete. I know Clinton passed Nafta and other trade agreements that made trade with these companies easier, that was a good thing.

The only way to increase the quality of lfe for these people, is to trade with more modern nations. The key is to press for reform in this part of the world. Reforms that will raise thier standrds, closer to our standard of living. IF PEOPLE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES HAD A STANDARD OF LIVING LIKE OURS ,IMAGINE THE NEW MARKET FOR OUR GOODS AND SERVICES. Sure cost in the short term would rise for American consumers, but with returning revenue and foriegn purchasing of our products, the increase in personal wealth should quickly out pace cost. American jobs would also stay in America.


One good example for you, Grain. In the United States we produce an abundance of grain, wheat, rice, and corn. We produce so much of these commodities that we tax payers , through federal programs, pay farmers not to produce them. We still end up with so much left over  the federal government, with taxpayer money, buys a portion of the crop. Why, to keep prices up, so we pay three ways. We pay first not to have it produced, we pay to buy the over production, and then we as consumers buy the product at artifical prices. The solution is to open up markets in other countries. The problem is they cannot afford it. The U.S. government actually either discounts the supply and sells it to them , or gives it away in foriegn aid. If the people in these areas made a descent wage, if they had a descent standars of living, they could afford to just purchase the grain at a fair market value. The result would be, we would pay less in taxes, we would pay less for grain, they would eat ,and I would sleep better without seeing starving children on T.V.

So when you see that cheap shirt at wal mart, think about what it really cost you and millons of other people.


The logical answer to the prblem is for our Congress to pass a law that states That no product can be sold in the United States, that was produced by a company that would not meet U.S. labor laws.

Tags: