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But if it's in a given business owner's or shareholders' interest, they'll ship jobs overseas--or phase them out altogether. When that happens and it happens often, it has a negative effect on the economy and on individuals' lives.
Also, many of these jobs come with strings attached, like you cannot do this or that, or you cannot believe this or that (well if you do, you certainly cannot tell anyone about it). Further, some jobs are downright unsafe and a detriment to the people who work there. Some jobs are so poorly compensated, it's best to have nothing to do with a corporation -- but in many of these instances, it may be the only game in town. Take North Louisiana, for example, which is the mostly rural portion of the state save Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe. In many of these locations, there's two options for most workers, agribusiness (low paid, poor working conditions) or Wal-Mart (completely humiliating, low pay).
Jobs are great, but my whole issue with many of the jobs available no longer pay a living wage. And then after you've been there 10, 12, 15 years or more, they outsource your position and/or lay you off. Corporations/big business provided jobs that they can take away at the drop of a hat.
Yes, corporate America is the source of all our problems. Let's all hate corporate America.
Better yet, let's expand the food stamp program to include ALL Americans. Then we will indeed be a food stamp nation.
But don't stop there, lets give ALL Americans golf ball stamps and motorcycle stamps. After all, we do need some form of exercise and recreation. Then we would indeed be a country full of happy food/golf/motorcycle stamp citizens.
OR, maybe we should STOP all food stamps and let charities take care of charity. But the big government guys like Obama would not like that. That would diminish their power over the people....their power to control the lives of all the poor suckers who vote for more government control year after year.
what charities?
The New York Times reports that although no one's keeping exact figures, there's no question that charities are falling like timber across the scorched landscape of our economy. Non-profits already operate on the razor's edge of liquidity, in a domino situation where one mishap or failure by a trusted partner can sink the whole enterprise. If a charity entered into 2008 with any sort of financial trouble, it's unlikely to leave 2010-11 at all
This thread has some great points, but few mention that Americans themselves had a role in this. Americans continue to demand cheaper and cheaper and cheaper stuff, and it must come from Wal-Mart or Target or some place like them. Instead of being content to own less, but have it be of better quality like prior generations, Americans prefer cheap cheap cheap. You can't argue with me that America's fascination with Wal-Mart and other discount retailers hasn't in part fueled the push to send jobs overseas.
Perhaps if the profit margins were better on product and cheapskates were willing to pay more there would be less outsourcing. But most Americans just look at the pricetag.
I'd argue that capitalism is grand, except we are not in a capitalist society. If we were our tax money would not be going to bank bailouts. I read just the other day that Fannie and Freddie asked for taxpayer money - yet AGAIN.
This thread has some great points, but few mention that Americans themselves had a role in this. Americans continue to demand cheaper and cheaper and cheaper stuff, and it must come from Wal-Mart or Target or some place like them. Instead of being content to own less, but have it be of better quality like prior generations, Americans prefer cheap cheap cheap. You can't argue with me that America's fascination with Wal-Mart and other discount retailers hasn't in part fueled the push to send jobs overseas.
Perhaps if the profit margins were better on product and cheapskates were willing to pay more there would be less outsourcing. But most Americans just look at the pricetag.
I'd argue that capitalism is grand, except we are not in a capitalist society. If we were our tax money would not be going to bank bailouts. I read just the other day that Fannie and Freddie asked for taxpayer money - yet AGAIN.
Yes, the U.S. is a mixed economy and many folks don't like to admit that.
Consumption is part of the problem as you assert. But one thing that many Americans don't realize is that the U.S. government has aided this fascination with consumption, especially in the post-WWII era. See Lizabeth Cohen's book entitled The Consumer's Republic: The Politics of Mass Consumption. It shows how the government encouraged Americans to spend, spend, spend, and if they didn't have the money to do it, then to spend on credit.
People should not have to sell everything they own and move 2000 miles from all their friends and family...for what? Cos there's no guarentee you'll find work there either. Nor should you have to work 60 hours a week just to survive. what kind of life is that really?
Maybe the CEOs of these corporations need to stop getting huge salaries and bonuses...and keep the jobs here instead of Mexico or China.
It has always been that way. Look at any major newspapers obituary page and see how many are born and die in the same town.
If our ancestors thought like you most of us would be in Europe.
This thread has some great points, but few mention that Americans themselves had a role in this. Americans continue to demand cheaper and cheaper and cheaper stuff, and it must come from Wal-Mart or Target or some place like them. Instead of being content to own less, but have it be of better quality like prior generations, Americans prefer cheap cheap cheap. You can't argue with me that America's fascination with Wal-Mart and other discount retailers hasn't in part fueled the push to send jobs overseas.
Perhaps if the profit margins were better on product and cheapskates were willing to pay more there would be less outsourcing. But most Americans just look at the pricetag.
I'd argue that capitalism is grand, except we are not in a capitalist society. If we were our tax money would not be going to bank bailouts. I read just the other day that Fannie and Freddie asked for taxpayer money - yet AGAIN.
we are in an imperialist plutocracy. Corporate welfare now trickles down....doesnt seem to be working on any level, and above post re: CEO's is spot on....
Yes, the U.S. is a mixed economy and many folks don't like to admit that.
Consumption is part of the problem as you assert. But one thing that many Americans don't realize is that the U.S. government has aided this fascination with consumption, especially in the post-WWII era. See Lizabeth Cohen's book entitled The Consumer's Republic: The Politics of Mass Consumption. It shows how the government encouraged Americans to spend, spend, spend, and if they didn't have the money to do it, then to spend on credit.
America, it's all about the stuff!
yes, but no one is consuming as much now......thats one of the problems we are seeing.
Location: Georgia, on the Florida line, right above Tallahassee
10,471 posts, read 15,833,234 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DiogenesofJackson
But if it's in a given business owner's or shareholders' interest, they'll ship jobs overseas--or phase them out altogether. When that happens and it happens often, it has a negative effect on the economy and on individuals' lives.
Also, many of these jobs come with strings attached, like you cannot do this or that, or you cannot believe this or that (well if you do, you certainly cannot tell anyone about it). Further, some jobs are downright unsafe and a detriment to the people who work there. Some jobs are so poorly compensated, it's best to have nothing to do with a corporation -- but in many of these instances, it may be the only game in town. Take North Louisiana, for example, which is the mostly rural portion of the state save Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe. In many of these locations, there's two options for most workers, agribusiness (low paid, poor working conditions) or Wal-Mart (completely humiliating, low pay).
Jobs are great, but my whole issue with many of the jobs available no longer pay a living wage. And then after you've been there 10, 12, 15 years or more, they outsource your position and/or lay you off. Corporations/big business provided jobs that they can take away at the drop of a hat.
I used to work at Wal-Mart...when I was 16....as Christmas help. The people there seemed well adjusted and friendly. I didn't feel demeaned. I think they actually liked it because of the benefits they got as a full time employee.
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