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I am a believer that globalization is not only unavoidable, but also that in the long term it is good for everyone. However, we see tremendous inequities between developed and developing nations in the labor and environmental protection laws, safety laws, enforcement of these laws, and oversight of the manufacturing base generally. In developing nations we have seen child labor exploited, lead used in the paint for childrens lunch boxes and toys, and fantastically polluted rivers, oceans, and air. We have seen anti-freeze put in toothpaste and medicines produced that don't work. At home and abroad we have seen dead pets, and people who died from contaminated mouthwash. We see generally inferior products, and the practices and safety standards applied of the competition suggests that it would be national suicide to allow globalization to run amok. There is no way to compete when your competition has relatively few or no rules. And it has already proven to be dangerous.
How can the exportation of US jobs be throttled and the field leveled so that the concept of "a free market" makes sense? It makes absolutely no sense in the present context. Currently, "a free market" means only that the biggest exploiter wins. And I’m not inclined to assume that other cultures and standards will change overnight. I think this will take time – at least a generation. In the mean time, I think this will all require careful planning – a good map - if disasters are to be avoided both nationally, and internationally.
I am sure that plans for this do exist but I have never seen them discussed. Also, if they do exist, then I have no way to know whose interests they serve.
How can the exportation of US jobs be throttled and the field leveled so that the concept of "a free market" makes sense? It makes absolutely no sense in the present context. Currently, "a free market" means only that the biggest exploiter wins. And I’m not inclined to assume that other cultures and standards will change overnight. I think this will take time – at least a generation. In the mean time, I think this will all require careful planning – a good map - if disasters are to be avoided both nationally, and internationally.
I am sure that plans for this do exist but I have never seen them discussed. Also, if they do exist, then I have no way to know whose interests they serve.
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