Res Ipsa Loquitur

I think you've hit the nail pretty squarely on the head. Comparing the US economy to that of Honduras is ridiculous. When you look at what people are getting paid, you also have to look at what prices are like.

If you make $.90/hour, and a loaf of bread costs a nickel, you're probably not doing too bad for that economy.

It hasn't been that long ago when I worked for $1.25 per hour and was glad to get it....that was good money for a 12 yr. old then.

; )

One of the problems associated with third world nations,(especially Central America), is the tendency to link economies, (on paper, at least), with the U.S. Why is no one addressing the other more important issues ie; political stability, potable water, sewage treatment, affordable electricity and education? Speaking from the context of one who has been and seen and done, it is easy to sit at home in comfort and pontificate from a position of ignorance, than it is to make an informed opinion.

John Stossel did a report on this recently, citing all the reasons that our barking moonbat college activists are idiots when they try to impose OUR standards on other countries, using OUR minimum wage and our cost of living as proof that these people are being exploited.

You know what? Kathy Lee was targeted with this crap and caved to public (moonbat) demands. She ended up putting a lot of people out of work by doing that. Forced them right into worse conditions.

I say P Diddy should tell everyone to go fuck themselves if they take issue with his manufacturing practices.

I had a college professor with the same moonbat opinions on economic progress in other countries. She was fussing because some Evil Corporation™ wanted to widen a road in some Central American country in order to make it accessible by vehicle. She was complaining because -- get this -- the workers would be able to take a bus or car to work, instead of walking, and therefore "wouldn't get any exercise." I think I just stared at her; there was nothing I could say to that kind of attitude.

Item specific to Honduras; There is VERY little work available especially in the rural areas which makes any work at any wage acceptable.

If there was any substantial "teat" to be attached to, these people would not be working for 90 cents per hour.

That said, I equate this type of thing to cheating. It kills small garment businesses in the U.S. by ensuring that the only way to produce competitively priced garments is to hire somebody on the other side of the world. Since small businesses employ the majority of people in the U.S., what's really happening is that people are losing jobs. Those who still have jobs are willing to take less money to get ANY job (and don't dare expect to have a union contract anymore). How can anyone who wants to work with their hands live in the U.S. and compete with someone willing to work for 90 cents per hour?

It's artificial. If these companies were willing to turn around and sell their products to these people, it would be completely fair -- they'd charge prices that these people could afford. But no, nobody making these clothes can afford what these clothes cost -- In America. But of course the company isn't willing to pay Americans to MAKE the clothes.

I don't think this is any better than the opportunistic people who sell water at $20 per gallon after a natural disaster. It takes advantage of people in miserable circumstances. It's gouging. Sure, these gougers might say "but I'm offering WATER to people who don't have it!" But they're still cheating bastards, profiting from others' misfortune. And so are the companies who hire third-world workers for third-world wages.

Meanwhile, U.S. corporations are making great profits ... for now. And that's all that matters, right? Who cares about the fact that nobody can own their own business anymore, because big corporations can outprice you on ANYTHING by getting cheap labor from halfway around the world?

Aaron: I have been to some of these places and believe me when I say that these jobs are some of the best available. Most of the people are hard working, GOD fearing people you would be proud to have for neighbors. They are not looking for a "teat", but opportunity to a better life.