I heard this on NPR the other day and decided to look into it a little today. I found this article. Anyway, a Chinese guy was arrested (and sentenced to five years on prison) for getting signatures on a petition that said, "We want human rights, not the Olympics". How dare he say that he would prefer to be treated as a real human rather than have the pomp and circumstance of the Olympics to glorify his country... His country that keeps him in a cycle of oppression.
Also in the news recently was the FLDS temple that was recently taken by police because of alleged sexual and physical abuse occurring on the grounds. Most Americans seem to support the idea of taking the children out of the group so that the can live a normal life free of abuse and brainwashing. (Abuse and brainwashing has not been proven in this incidence and I may talk about it again later because I think it is an interesting topic, but I feel safe in saying that if there was abuse and brainwashing most people would approve getting the kids out of the situation.)
I think it's odd that we are against abuse and brainwashing in this country, but we go to Wal-Mart or almost any other store and pick up goods that were made in China under inhumane conditions and think nothing of it. We want to protect the children in this country, but Chinese children are of lesser value? Please don't tell me you believe that. I know why we buy the cheap products that were made in China, it's because they are less expensive. Are we really ready to sell our souls and in many ways support child abuse and inhumane conditions so that we can have cheap stuff? Drive by a Wal-Mart and check out the polling station...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I would vote that a majority of people that shop at Walmart have no idea where Warlmart gets their products and what the working conditions are like in those places. I know, because I was one of them. (Which is why I like reading your blog, I learn new things.)
You might be interested to know the Utah Sierra Forum is presenting a discussion tomorrow in Provo on the subject, 'The Bicycle and the Environment'. Here's more information provided from KUER
Utah Valley Sierra Forum Discussion, April 17, 2008
On Thursday, April 17th, the Utah Valley Sierra Forum presents a discussion on the subject: "The Bicycle and the Environment." They will take a close look at what some call "the most efficient form of locomotion" and how both communities and individuals can improve their health if we make our cities more bicycle friendly. Expert cyclist, Brad Woods, will lead the discussion. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2008, at 550 N. University Ave, Provo UT (Provo Library, Academy Bldg, Rm 201) Presentation at 7PM. Business meeting follows. Meeting ends by 9pm. Jim Westwater: Chair, 798-2888, uvsf@sfcn.org or online at http://UVSF.us
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Pen Drive, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://pen-drive-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.
I'm actually ok with buying goods from China, and not because I'm a bad person.
I believe that "So long as cooperation is strictly voluntary, no exchange will take place unless both parties do benefit (Milton Friedman)." This exchange includes trading time and effort for money.
My boss employs me because it's good for him, and I work for him because it's good for me. If that were to change I would get fired or I would quit.
I would never work in the conditions that Chinese workers face. So why do they? There are two possibilities. 1) They benefit or 2) it's not voluntary.
If it's the first reason, they work in deplorable conditions because it's better than their alternatives. If we refuse their goods to "help" them, they will lose their jobs. Then they'll have to work in an even less desirable condition.
If Chinese workers are in those conditions because of force, then they need to revolt to effect change. Boycotting their goods won't make a difference. If the sweat shops close, the oppressors will find new ways to oppress the workers. As a country we can put pressure to change the country but that hasn't worked in the past. We can try economic pressure (like Cuba) or military pressure (like Iraq), but that still wouldn't do anything.
So either Chinese workers are in a good situation, or they need to throw off their oppressors.
Post a Comment