To: LoLoLoLita who wrote (20804 ) 4/24/1998 3:31:00 PM From: Grainne Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 108807
Flea bite dermatitis can be fatal? How does this happen? I have a cat who is afflicted with it, so I am very curious. The problem with global economies is that there are definitely winners and losers. American workers have definitely been hurt--that is, the ones who are not agile or smart enough to easily adapt to new technologies. Companies also go abroad to spew toxic wastes that they would not be allowed to at home, so the earth's environment suffers. Big companies will definitely win in a global economy, and so will workers in very poor countries for whom any improvement is healthy. But generally I think it is a trend which will make the rich richer, and tend to decimate the middle classes, particularly in America. If you believe in the credo "Greed is good!", then certainly the global economy is wonderful. I don't, however. I understand everything you are saying about tariffs and protectionism, and I don't think bloated, inefficient companies operating under protectionism are really good either. But I think if we are going to have a global economy, then some international body needs to regulate businesses so they don't just rape the laboring classes and the earth at the same time. Are we going to let people starve while new strategies are developed? You mentioned how long it takes to get organic farming working well and profitably. I think if we are going to have all this international turmoil, we should be compassionate and make sure there is some kind of a safety net for displaced workers everywhere. And things like the lumber companies who are currently deliberately setting these fires that are destroying rain forests need to come under some sort of regulation. Unfortunately, third world countries need development so much, and often have such corrupt governments, that a lot which is irreplaceable is going to be destroyed unless something of a regulatory nature is set up soon, and I don't see that happening. Do you have ideas about how to solve any of these problems?