What do you think about the prospect of this kind of control being excersied by the federal government?

Question

Senator Hornblower has proposed the formation of an oversight committee as part of the US dept. of Commerce that would be responisble for reviewing the plans of corportations that intend to make investments of $50 million or more in overseas operations. The Senator is concerned about the establishment of sweatshops in developing countries and the increasing loss of jobs at home. The committee would have to give approval to any plan before this level of investment could be made by any corporation.

Answer 1

If the goal is improving employment practices employed by U.S. corporations overseas, then the committee should focus on compliance with predetermined acceptable employment practices and impose heavy penalties for violators.

The level of investment a corporation makes is hardly an indicator of corporate behavior. A $20 million corporate investment can to lead inhumane treatment of workers, just as easily as a $50 million corporate investment. Humane treatment of workers is not the goal of most corporations. One of the reasons for outsourcing is to be able to exploit a workforce in a way that can not be done in the U.S.

There is nothing wrong with forcing corporations to conduct themselves in a way that enhances, rather than destroys the reputation of this country. There is nothing wrong with forcing business to conduct itself in a manner in balance with the ideals on which this country is based. There is nothing wrong with valuing humane rights above profits.

Answer 2

It's Congress sticking it's collective nose into other people's business again, in the guise of doing the "moral" thing. It's not the most egregious example, but it's certainly an irritating one.

Answer 3

it would make some sense in order to try and keep jobs in the US, but it would need to be carefully controlled so as not to spread to other aspects.

Answer 4

I think it would cause some of the corps. to move finacial headquarters to overseas locations that would welcome them without regulation and US would lose more of it's tax base.