The true costs of globalization
In the United States, we have become inured to foreign manufacturers producing most everything we use. Cars, eletronics, steel, toys – there are few products we expect to be made in the U.S. anymore. Even with the price of energy what it is, we accept that its likely cheaper to produce goods overseas and drag them to America in a giant container ship. Apparently New York City has even taken to making manhole covers in India for use on Manhattan streets.
Yeah, well guess how those manhole covers are produced so cheaply.
How do they get it so cheap? Ah yes, their workers pour hot iron BAREFOOT. Getting rid of those pesky worker protections sure will help bring cost down.
Here’s a prediction – when the world goes to China for the Olympics in 2008, it’s going to be more evident how many of our consumer goods are being produced. And it won’t all be pretty, not even close. This is going to lead to a new renaissance in thinking about producing products locally.
Is this what globalization demands so we can make manhole covers cheaper?
