We must insist on a "living wage" for producers of imported goods to improve labor conditions here

[Blackhatjack]

Those 'offshore" foreign workers deserve a wage of more than a couple of dollars a day, and working conditions needs to rise above the level of sweatshop status.

But as long as US consumers continue to buy those 'cheap labor produced goods' we will continue to support that same system that exploits those foreign workers and their children.

It will take will power on the behalf of US consumers, but if we insist on higher wages for the production of those products or we block their importation, then we will see jobs start to return to the US production of those goods.

The way the system is structured today, there is no hope for US workers competing with the 'dollar workers' offshore, and there is no incentive for Corporations to stop outsourcing jobs.

[Cleita]

1. I agree, but it's up to us to make the trade agreements

to be signed and we are unwilling to do this because Wal-Mart of America thinks it's bad for their business.

[G_j]

2. agreed

K&R

[skepticscott]

3. Yes, but what happens

when all of the cheap shit that underemployed and poorly paid people here buy at Wal-Mart gets much more expensive because the labor costs in China and elsewhere have increased, or those goods have been banned? Either their standard of living goes down even further because they can afford less, or their salaries here have to go up to match the increased labor costs (here or there) of what they're buying, reducing the incentive for manufacturers to bring jobs back here.

It would be nice if the solution were as simple as what you propose, but unfortunately it isn't.

[Blackhatjack]

4. I never said or implied it would be 'simple'... but the downward spiral has to end.