On 12 Dec 2003 14:53:05 GMT ackatyu (Wdtabor) wrote:

In article QjaCb.182$pY.74@fed1read04, "R. Hubbell"
writes:


Clearly we all aren't aware of the limitations, but talking about it is a
start.
Can you imagine selling your child forever to indentured servitude? That's
happening. Get your G.I. Joe for $4.95 but at least be aware that the low
price
bares another social cost.


But you must also keep in mind that NOT buying that $4.95 action figure also
bears a social cost. Every choice has social costs for someone.


No you're wrong it fuels the fire. You're making it clear to parents that
selling off their children into indentured servitude is worthwhile. They
think let's have another kid, let's sell them off too. And on and on.



And, the free market makes those choices better than your social ideology.
Those third world laborers most willing to work for low wages are the ones most
desparately in need of employment.

Social ideology? It's a fact, if you want proof pick up last months Nat. Geo.
I had a hard time reading the whole thing. It's pretty shocking.



If you really want to help them, get rich, get government out of everyone
else's way so they can get rich, balance environmental concerns with economic
concerns, here and abroad, so we get even richer, and we can afford LOTS of
picture frames and action figures.


What a simplistic view. What you're talking about won't ever happen, you're
counting on many people to do the right thing. Not going to happen.
"get government out of everyone else's way" is not a panacea.
I can afford lots of picture frames, they cannot afford to cut their forests
bare.

BTW speaking of "get government out of everyone else's way" Dubya has yet
to turn down, in 3 years, one single spending bill. How's that for getting
government out of the way.


And don't impose your value system and environmental concerns on those in
developing countries. To you, that mahogany rainforest in Sumatra might be most

That mohogany forest can be their lifeline if they manage it properly but they
aren't manaing it properly. They're clear cutting it. Extincting species
along the way.

valuable as orangutan housing, but to the people who live there, that
rainforest is capital they can convert into houses, schools and hospitals. If
you want it saved for the orangutans, then make it worth their while by
planning your vacation to include orangutan watching and spend lots of money
there.


Again a simplistic view of the problem not tempered with enough facts.
See above.


But don't tell them that their children have to starve because you won't
purchase anything made of tropical hardwoods because the orangutans are more
important than their children.

The idea is to tell them that if they manage their resources much more carefully
then in the long haul they will be better off.


R. Hubbell


Don

--
Wm. Donald (Don) Tabor Jr., DDS
PP-ASEL
Chesapeake, VA - CPK, PVG