Do you feel any obilgation to learn about working conditions and quality of life?

Question

When you buy items manufactured in other countries do you ever think about the fact that you may be condoning poor labor standards and/or helping eliminate jobs in our own country?

Answer 1

Yes, every time I go to Wal-mart. However, where I live it is the only place to get what you need.

Answer 2

Sure.

I learned a lot about the poor working conditions in other countries, and quality of life, etc... I learned that the factory workers quite often have an improved quality of life over what they had before, and that competition for the jobs at these "sweatshops" is pretty intense.

There are a lot of places where it is just a few inches from slavery, sure, but they represent a very small portion of the overseas factories that manufacture good for consumption in the US.

As to jobs in the US, if you believed the number of jobs lost to overseas labor figures, then there would be no one actually working in the US. I mean, if the US lost 100,000 jobs a year every year the unemployment rate would be near 100%, not hovering around 4% like it is.

I did my research. I'm cool with it.

Answer 3

No, not really. Not buying foreign made goods exacerbates the living conditions in these poorer countries. They may be third world, but can you imagine the poverty if we don't buy what they make? Regardless of the conditions, buying their products at least gives them a chance at a growing economy and standard of living. Not buying, does not.

As to our own country, are you talking about the country with an unemployment rate that has been at near record lows for a couple of years now? A country where primary education is free and higher education is available to everyone and often paid for by the government? America is called the land of opportunity for a reason, so unless you're old, infirm, of limited mental capacity or very young, I spend little or no time being concerned with you. It's within your power to support yourself and make something of yourself. You might have to move, you might have to return to school, but the opportunities are out there. There is nothing I can do for you that will change how you live your life, the quality of your life or the decisions you make.

So no, I feel no obligation to healthy, viable Americans. The jobs are out there. DO THEM.

Answer 4

I wish I could do that, but with real income down every year under the Bush admin, the only thing I can do is shop at the places with the lowest prices in order to keep from going into debt.

Answer 5

My obligation is to

Breathe