Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Does anyone care?
During the Democratic/AFL-CIO debate tonight, trade (obviously) was a very big topic. In one answer regarding China Barack Obama stated that Americans would gladly pay more for products made in the USA if it meant more jobs here. This seems obvious and it sounds reasonable in theory, but I wonder if that is the reality. In a time when so many people are not engaged in things that really matter I wonder how many shoppers a) make that connection and b) care enough to make the choice. If I walked through WalMart tonight and polled shoppers I think I would get very different results than Mr Obama assumes. People love to have things to bitch about, but are often unwilling to pay the price, literally and figuratively, to make positive change. Too often folks look out for number one and ignore the big picture. Thoughts?
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7 comments:
I think you are probably right. Most of us are not willing to do without for something which does not directly effect us. My sister and I have gone round and round about this, with her claiming that she cannot afford to NOT shop at Walmart. I'd rather eat lentils from Sunflower than lobster from Walmart.
People will continue to buy cheaper products made in China until we are all poisoned by cheaply made tainted products and we're all dead. It's not as if products made in America would be any better. This isn't the 50's and the number of people who take pride in themselves and their work is probably a number so small it's scary. I've worked with a lot people who thought they were doing the job a favor by even showing up and they did NOTHING while there. I think that unfortumately this is a common thing in our lazy, I'll get by until I'm annoyed society. Americans should try living in other countries where you have to really pay for tings like gas, milk, clothes, fresh food, and even things like toys. They just want more more more and hate to have to pay for it. It's gonna catch up to us soon, someday we'll learn what hard times are all about...I'm scared for the country my kids will get.
Oh, I didn't address your point. I think that if you went to Walmart and asked people if they'd pay more , nearly every one would tell you that they pay too damn much now. They don't care where things come from so long as they get it cheap. That's why places like Walmart are even able to exist.
Walmart = EVIL!
If you need any better example look at your parents. They were once staunchly opposed to shopping anywhere that wasn't union and and buying anything that wasn't made in America. Now look at them. If I had to guess I'd say that they shop at Walmart more than anywhere else.
WALMART = serving the wants and needs of millions of customers. if that's 'evil' then all of capitalism is evil.
Americans will NOT gladly pay more for products that are made in America -- they already spoke with their wallets, and they chose WalMart. Maybe some pockets of consumers feel differently, or about specific products (cars), but on the whole you can't argue with the numbers.
I don't even think converting to "Buy American" is an example of positive change. What's positive about it? Keeping Americans employed at jobs that are not making the most of American resources doesn't make sense. All this was spelled out by Adam Smith 230 years ago -- specialization in industries in which you have advantage (whether it be natural resources, technology, knowledge) reaps the greatest rewards for the global economy -- we don't lose, both parties are better off.
America moved from agriculture to manufacturing, and now we're moving up the value-chain even further. Embrace it people, it will lead to a better future! The stone age didn't end for lack of stone...
Take the Professor to the back so he can argue with some numbers.
I can't stand Walmart myself. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid the store. Not because of the products or prices but the crowded isles, obnoxious people, and employees who don't seem to care at all about customer service. Not to mention the many students and parents who you run into and want to conference with you about their child (since we live in such a small community). That's why I go to Sam's and Giant, just to avoid this. Now, if it's something specific I need, then Walmart is the place. Run in...Run out! However, grocery shopping is done elesewhere.
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