The Payoff From Globalization

The Payoff From Globalization

B-Sing asked: "Regarding the morality of economic systems, isn't the most moral system the one that does the most for the most?" Moral systems are always opinions held by the person that describes them. To some it's not moral to tell a lie. While to others it IS moral to kill in the name of God. Morals are only a gathering of opinions. And, always, when stating whether something is moral or not the speaker should always preface it with, "in my opinion," because what they believe is moral may not agree with what I believe is moral. And, that's why the U.S. is a country of laws and not morals. chuck Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.

The Payoff From Globalization

David said: "In addition to my day job (which may be going away at the end of August - to be replaced by a foreigh worker) I also own a Merle Norman Franchise." Small world. I worked with the guy who is the CFO at Merle Norman. He's one of my references on my resume. MN is a fine company. Very formal, though. He's required not only to wear a suit but whenever he walks out of his office into the hallway he must have his suit jacket on. Also, his phone is never permitted to go to voice mail, either he or his secretary must answer it live. They have a fine lunch room that has 3 chefs including a pastry chef. Gourmet lunches are $0.25! It is expected, however, that you eat lunch in the lunch room and not leave the premises. chuck Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my employer.

The Payoff From Globalization

In the previous post, since things were strung together in consecutive sentences, I took it as implied that you had associated morality and scruples and income and those who lobby for free trade and your situation. My bad.

Hmmmm.... must be an interesting book.

It's a life work-in-process. ;-) What I meant to say was moral in my book was the notion, since there's a net benefit for everyone, of doing more for those "forced to bear the burden of economic adjustment". For me, that means education, short-term assistance, and the opportunity to succeed in the market by adding value. That's very cool about the franchise! I wish you great success in that and everything. Brian P.S. Regarding the morality of economic systems, isn't the most moral system the one that does the most for the most? And since that's what everyone at least professes to want, morality doesn't really enter into the debate straight away. At least in my book. ;-) [Edit]: Of course, not if it means immoral cruelty to those who aren't part of "the most".

[David Abramowitz]

The Payoff From Globalization

B_Sing pontificated: That's moral, in my book. Hmmmm.... must be an interesting book. Pay close attention. I merely quoted an old Ogden Nash poem, and complained that those who wanted cheaper labor were the ones most likely to gain the most profit. No where in my post have I claimed a greater morality, or even discussed the concept of morality. Until now. . . . . . . One of the things I try to do in these posts is differentiate between facts, and opinions. If I have an opinion I usually preface the statement with IMO. Another thing I try not to do is to put words not spoken or written into anyone else's mouth (or pen). I hope to succeed at this, discuss the facts, and not be offensive. A good arguement should be stimulating, and educational. Here are the facts. In addition to my day job (which may be going away at the end of August - to be replaced by a foreigh worker) I also own a Merle Norman Franchise. All Merle Norman products are made in the U.S.A. All Merle Norman products are competetively priced. All Merle Norman products have the highest quality and customer satisfaction ratings according to consumer studies. I guess I have a different book. Dave

The Payoff From Globalization

Ok, 1) say things are cheaper 2)say I make the same, then say 3) the government is taxing me more and from more directions and some of that is going to make things cheaper.....4)let me keep (spend) my own money. Oh, 5) how can you say moral and globalization in the same sentence and not choke. (china, walmart, moral...choke...I definitely can buy more junk) Oh, yea 6) don't I remember wal mart posting all over their store shelves, made in America, about 20 years ago, and a statement made to all of us that they (walmart) would buy from American Co.'s every chance they could, and now in America, they are taking down made in America signs or that's what I heard anyway.

The Payoff From Globalization

With all due respect, I'm not sure how you can attempt to claim the moral high ground just because you haven't got a raise. If you you're getting the same rate of pay, but things are cheaper, what is your loss? Those "lobbyists" and "interests" probably represent businesses that ultimately sign the front of our checks. Over the course of the last 100 years, those advocating closed economies have had their due and have not succeeded in providing the same benefits of an open economy. Should we go back to a more managed economy (i.e. someone making controlling decisions) and hence higher overall unemployment? Whom should have to give up their jobs for those who want higher-than-market pay? Would that be moral? Like the article said: "Given the enormous dividends from international trade, more should be done for workers forced to bear the burden of economic adjustment." That's moral, in my book. A simple example goes like this. If I'm hungry, and I've got $5, and you've got a sandwich, and you want my $5, if we trade, we've both exchanged what we had for something we want, creating extra value for both that didn't exist before. If the sandwich maker only gets $4 out of my $5 and $1 goes for some "protection", the sandwich maker is less motivated to make sandwiches, or if the price goes to $6 it makes the buyer less motivated to buy. Scale those dampening effect to the size of our entire society, and the effects are tremendous.

[David Abramowitz]

I see no payback whatsoever at being stuck at the same rate of pay for the last five years. Any "hidden" paybacks provides only a fraction of a percent over the losses incurred directly due to globalization. It should be noted that lobbyists for globalization and the interests for whom they lobby have had their due. "For them without morals and scruples. . . Their fun and income usually quadruples" Ogden Nash.