[jeffkrol]

In his 1922 book "My Life and Work" Ford, who was staunchly anti-union, dismissed the notion this was an act of charity. "We wanted to pay these wages so that the business would be on a lasting foundation," he wrote. "A low wage business is always insecure."

Special Report: Is America the sick man of the globe? | Reuters

[Sparkle]

Without reviewing the article at this time, my submission is that greed for profits is at the heart of America's and Europe's economic problems. The whole world (except for China and India for now) is doomed because of so called "Free Trade". The "Want Everything Now" generation is also at fault, encouraged by their parents, peers and exploitation of the greedy. A possible solution is to be self reliant and close the doors to "Free Trade"; to invest in
up-to-date and advanced machinery and robots, which BTW, contribute most to manufacturing and worker productivity; and for example save, wait and pay cash. There will be a time lag, things will get worse regardless, but the implementation of those suggestions seem to me to provide best for an eventual recovery. Traditional capitalistic economic theories will not work at this time.

[reeftool]

Yes, short term profits are the rule today. It's no longer good enough for a company to make a quality product and sell it for a profit. It has to be made cheaply and sold for a huge profit with constant double digit growth from quarter to quarter, otherwise it's a failure.

[GeneV]

The whole idea of paying a wage that allows the worker who makes them to buy your products--what a concept.

[Nesster]

The whole idea of paying a wage that allows the worker who makes them to buy your products--what a concept.

But isn't it better: pay a smaller wage to the service providers of the investor and manager classes so they can pay a smaller price for stuff the companies of said investors and managers make cheaper overseas?

[Ira]

But isn't it better: pay a smaller wage to the service providers of the investor and manager classes so they can pay a smaller price for stuff the companies of said investors and managers make cheaper overseas?

We sometimes forget the fact that Americans made everything a hell of a lot better, and much more efficiently, than anywhere on Earth back then. Hell, 95% of countries couldn't even manufacture a simple toaster in 1922.

So manufacturing here instead of China or elsewhere wasn't a business decision to be made at the time. It was the ONLY option.

This is not even taking into account the backwards feudal and political situations in other countries. Yeah, in 1922. if you wanted to import horse manure, you maybe went to Mexico. But to manufacture radios there?

In 1922, they thought radios were the work of the Diablo.

[Sparkle]

The American psyche at work again! Predisposed to grandeur. Just find out at what a 1922 radio looks like for starters. You will also find that at least seven countries were ahead of the USA in the 1921 radio business, including Mexico and likely double that with the flow over into 1922. I grew up beside "Marconi Towers" in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. It was from there that the first wireless radio transmission across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland occurred in 1902. IMO, and shared by peoples throughout the world, the USA has always been the greatest source of horse manure. It also has its good points.

[Parallax]

................. the USA has always been the greatest source of horse manure. It also has its good points.

We clearly don't have a monopoly, however.

One of the things that Americans and Canadians have in common is that we both like Canadians and think Canada is a great country. We seem to have decidedly different views of America.
Well, at least there was one Canadian that felt the same way about us. Anybody remember the Byron MacGregor song?

MP3 here

[Sparkle]

We've been in many of the States. We enjoyed being there. That was many years ago. We still appreciate the Military Forces which provide protection to the rest of us. We believe that the USA should demand payment for the wars it is presently involved in regardless of how or why they got involved. We believe it is unfortunate that the good old American bullshit which was responsible for so much enterprising salesmanship has been lost. The apathy of the younger generations and the "me" society is not unique to the USA. However, it appears to us that the "Melting Pot" is not working, if it ever did. Canada's "Liberal multiculturalism" is also in disgrace. Now, we were displaced Scots and have no use for Highland Games, the Kilt or allegiance to any "Chief". My earlier rant was too draw attention to the fact that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones (re China and Mexico for examples). Because the USA has been so important to the rest of us and is so large and capable, it is a shame that the things commented upon earlier are not repaired and that not many leaders there recognize the problems and/or are too politically motivated and concerned about votes etc. to take appropriate action. So the USA is in the limelight of criticism. By the way, is seems strange that the liberal Democrats are for, as they are referred to, "Death Panels". Yet the Government jails Jack Kevorkian. We have succumbed to the same marginalized political pressure in Canada. I'm quite familiar with Canada's "ethical" policy of not treating patients after about 66 years of age if death is likely to occur within the year. Also, we have the politically pressured case by a fringe group, of the incarcerated Robert Latimer which punished an act of mercy. There are no easy answers to such hard questions. However if action is not taken soon, even at gunpoint, we are all doomed. Right winged, eh! Difficult times require difficult action. Amen.

[Parallax]

.................many leaders there recognize the problems and/or are too politically motivated and concerned about votes etc. to take appropriate action. ............

You're right about that. The irony is that if voting were actually capable of changing the way things are done in Washington, voting would have been outlawed by now.

[Ratmagiclady]

By the way, is seems strange that the liberal Democrats are for, as they are referred to, "Death Panels".

That'd be because that's not actually *true,* you know. Faux News made it *up.*


You've got to be careful of trying to draw conclusions from mouthpieces whose interest is in *confusing and agitating* people, not arriving at the truth of any matter.

[Sparkle]

Well, I know it exists here and elsewhere. I've heard from both sides of the aisle in the USA and they all say it is true. It may have been removed from the Act but it appears in the Regulations.

[Nesster]

Well, I know it exists here and elsewhere. I've heard from both sides of the aisle in the USA and they all say it is true. It may have been removed from the Act but it appears in the Regulations.

Please provide a quote or direction to the appropriate section of the Regulations.

Also, please explain why the insurance companies with their policies and medical reviews are not 'death panels' - and, indeed, why any decision made along a course of medical treatment isn't on one level a 'death panel' whether by a group or a single practitioner?

[Sparkle]

AP: Breaking | Alerts | World | US | Politics | Business | Entertainment | Life | Science | Odd | Sports | Tech

Medicare regulation revives end-of-life planning
Dec 25 10:59 PM US/Eastern

WASHINGTON (AP) - A new health regulation issued this month offers Medicare recipients voluntary end-of-life planning, which Democrats dropped from the monumental health care overhaul last year.

The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.

But the practice was heavily criticized by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and some other Republicans who have likened the counseling to "death panels."

The "voluntary advance care planning" is included in a Medicare regulation issued Dec. 3 that covers annual checkups, known as wellness visits. It goes into effect Jan. 1.

The regulation was first reported by The New York Times.

[Parallax]

Well, I know it exists here and elsewhere. I've heard from both sides of the aisle in the USA and they all say it is true. It may have been removed from the Act but it appears in the Regulations.

It always fascinates me how obsessed people from outside the U.S. can be with U.S. politics; and how much the think they know about them.


Okay, now I get it. Because Sarah Palin called the voluntary counseling "Death Panels" that makes them death panels.
The Liberals are in favor of the health care bill, ergo they favor death panels.
Makes perfect sense.