Can you believe how globalized the economy has gotten ?

[bearfan454]

I needed a new microwave. Mrs bearfan and I went to Target and they had one for $29.95 AND you got a free George Foreman grill. It's a small one but so what it is free. I remember when the microwaves first came out I paid $650.00 for a Litton with a probe for the 1st Mrs bearfan. The microwave is made in Mexico. If they are selling it for $29.95 they probably got it for $15.00 or $20.00. Unbelieveable how bad globalization has gotten.

[Baltimoreboy]

1. Why is a cheaper price bad?

New products typically drop in price as the technology to produce them improves.

[bearfan454]

2. I'm all for the low prices,

Unfortunately it means American jobs leaving the country for cheaper labor elsewhere.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Also, ten years from now, when the foreign company has long

gone belly-up, we'll find that their microwaves were made of asbesto heat absorbers, lead-encased and released mutant producing waves.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. The fact that good liberals like ourselves still keep the system going

you bought the thing didn't you? I hate everytime I find myself in that situation!

[bearfan454]

7. I hate it too.

We don't have a lot of money. Does it make sense for me to buy a $99.00 microwave instead ? That is where they have us unfortunately.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. I need to buy a rice cooker and some stuff for the new CStheT family nest

and I'm probably Targé bound - I can't stomach Walmart™

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. Maybe you should consider if you really need it

or if it's just a convenience. My microwave broke a couple of years ago, and I haven't bothered replacing it.

[curse10]

5. I'm all for globalization

we have to look at the broader picture.

Yes, some Americans lose their jobs. But we have more options. We send work to foreign countries. What does this do? It builds good will and gives third world countries a chance to actually develop. We pump money into their economy that they've actually earned and isn't just some meager attempt at a loan.

In 60 years there is a damn good chance we will not be an economic super power just because of population numbers. India and China have us beat by a long shot. We send work there? When they start ruling the value of the dollar maybe they'll return the favor.

We have to look at the future-- and it means establishing a good economic relationship with third world countries.

[tooncesj0nes]

6. curse 10, have YOU looked at the 'bigger picture'?

..if projections about oil reserves in the next 10 years are correct, where will any of us be when oil prices skyrocket due to decreased supply and increased demand ..how will all these items be transported to 'merica.....and the rest of the world for that matter.?-.....but hey, youll have your $29 microwave...globalization is just a 20th century version of colonization...the gap between the haves and have nots is not just an American situation. This is happening around the world.....ps why CANT these countries repay their loans?- you need to sdo more research on the IMF-WTO. Start with Joseph Stiglitz.

[curse10]

9. read Jeffrey Sachs

specifically find a May 2004 issue of Esquire magazine. It's his plan in a nutshell.

Or google him. This isn't about capitlization- this is about improving the quality of life in the 3rd world and as a result improving relations with them.

Let's create more American jobs by helping the economy in the rest of the world. A strong world economy = a strong American economy.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

8. 'maybe they'll return the favor'

Unfortunately, capitalism does not tend to be charity-driven.

[pagerbear]

11. "...gives third world countries a chance to actually develop"

Woo-hoo for people in those countries who are already wealthy and powerful. But isn't it quite often the case that the actual workers in third-world countries don't benefit or are worse off? Isn't an economy created that keeps the workers enslaved to these corporations, either because they get a pittance more per day than with any other work, or because any other work has gone away?

Having said that, I'm just as guilty as anyone else--more guilty, I fear, than many DUers--of being an American consumerist pig and benefitting somewhat in terms of low prices.

I will promise to try to make more of my purchases American-made products if ya'll will, too.

[Commendatori]

12. Sorry, no deal

I'm going for the best deal, regardless of where it's from. Just because Bush kisses the asses of American corporations doesn't mean I have to.

Unless it can be proven that the product I'm about to buy was made by trafficked pre-teens, clear the path to the register. If I want to spend money to make a point, I'll donate it to a political party.