The Battle In Seattle

 

November 30, 1999. approximately 40,000 or more protestors gathered outside the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.
 what were they protesting? Globalization. they gathered at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington, United States. Religious groups, Labor Unions, and concerned citzens alike gathered there, and before long, the police joined them--though not in their support. The group of prtestors was so massive that they made a virtual blockade. that morning, the police fired Pepper spray, tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets at protesters in several area's in an attempt to clear the streets and allow WTO delegates through the blockade. And eventually, some of the protestors became violent and fought back or destroyed shops.  (it is also noted that a police order that day also banned the use or sale of gas masks near the area where this was happening)

Mac and Foxconn

Sweatshops. a modern form of slavery. bad. right?

then why did the technology giant Apple use them? the obvious answer? the money. Apple used contract manufacturer Foxconn, Foxconn used the lives of less fortunate people all around the world.
Contract manufacturers like Foxconn are now an key peice to the electronics industry puzzle and are responsible for approximately 20% of all manufacturing revenue last year. In case youre interested, here are the numbers:

The global electronics manufacturing business, consisting of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and original design manufacturing (ODM) firms, generated an astounding $359.8 billion in revenue in 2011. As brands have increasingly outsourced production, the contract manufacturing industry has undergone enormous growth in recent years, with revenue rising from $264.0 billion in 2006. While revenue is expected to dip in 2012, the industry continue its expansion trajectory in the coming years, with revenue expanding to $426.1 billion in 2015.

The Fair Labor Association did a little digging into the Apple-Foxconn in China and foung that workers were working long hours and werent being payed adequately. (view the FLA report here)

but remember, Foxconn is an electronics contractor, and there are many others like it. this means that any electronisc company is viable for this same thing. sweatshops--slaves--all around the world are being employed by way of middlemen, all because we 'cant live without' what they are forced to make for us.

http://www.fairlabor.org/report/foxconn-investigation-report
http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2012/04/10/tech-needs-to-clean-house-after-apple-foxconn-fallout/

USA blocks Canadian import. illegal under NAFTA?

NAFTA. North American Free Trade Agreement. Free trade. So then why did the US prevent Canadian generic drug company, Appotex, from importing their product to the US? that's just what Appotex is going to figure out. the import block lost them their American customer base, and this move cost them at least $520 million US dollars. naturally, they want their money back. that was all the way back in 2009. finally, Appotex ha been able to do something about that. just recently, they launched a challenge against the U.S. government under the controversial Chapter 11 provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/apotex-sues-us-government-over-import-ban/article2369028/

Ameriacan economy and Globalization according to the Daily Show

 

            Our Economy is in need of repair. And it can only be fixed by us working together. Globalization isn’t necessarily the right answer. Sure, it saves money, but the money saved isn’t necessarily going to our country, in the end. It often goes into a company to make more of their product over-seas to make those in charge of said companies richer.

            According to a short skit on The Daily Show, in a comical yet rather true and accurate interview between a ‘character’ on the Daily Show, and the CEO of Wham-o toys, bringing jobs to America by ‘reverse globalization’ (in a sense), is a smart idea. ‘Costs for remaining in production in foreign countries have gone up, so why not move back to America, if we are going to spend more money anyway?’

            And in an interview With Fareed Zakaira, he states that, while globalization may improve businesses, which can improve the economy, it does nothing to help Americans. Americans are laid off because hiring a foreign worker is cheaper, and because this happens so often, it makes it harder to find actual jobs, which lowers the economy. And he even talks about how a similar thing is happening even with technology; people are loosing their jobs to a piece of technology, which again, does nothing to improve American’s well-being and therefore the economy. Zakaira also calls for the Government to stop looking at things to cut out, and instead looking to strengthen America, and invest in the future, and he does this by speaking of Gemany’s government.

            America needs jobs. America needs to improve the economy. Going to other countries for various reasons in a business may seem like a good idea as far as earning more money, but its not such a good idea for fixing America and making sure we are stable. Globalization only seems to make the richer, richer; and the poorer get no help. Whether that is in the country a business is doing business in (because the workers don’t always get fair wages) or in America, where the business an cooprporation people who have their company in other countries get paid more because of the money saved and extra money earned by being able to make more; leaving the average American unable to find a job, and therefore, unable to make a living.

Union for Woonsocket School Aid

There is a 10 million dollar deficit in Woonsocket, Rhode Island's educational budget. What was done in an attempt to fix this? Huge cuts in programs, and 500 teachers were fired. Not exactly the best way to 'fix' things, now is it? On Thursday, national and local union leaders gathered to demand more from Rhode Island's political leaders. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, begged the politicians, the General Assembly, and namely Governor Chafee; said in his request for more money for the schools, that he would do so "if you think the future of this state is important ... if you really care about kids." In the end, the unions won; and by result, so did the schools. the winnings? $40 million in aid.

http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/03/union-leaders-g.html

http://www.aft.org/newspubs/press/2012/032212.cfm

http://www.aft.org/index.cfm