09-21-2007, 04:16 AM
Just a small twist on Johns' thread
When I was young, families could buy less, not just that there was less products, but basic living took more out of the family paycheck. Our family could not afford a TV, a second car, more than 2 pairs of shoes per kid, we had one telephone, we didn't have book backpacks (and of course this was pre calculator, computer, cell phones and all of the "basic nesseccities" of life today). Oh, and we were not poor, in fact we were in the middle to upper middle class!
It is American CONSUMERISM that has spawned the cheap labor markets.
The basic supply/demand curve cannot keep up with this countries desire for more.
When I was young, families could buy less, not just that there was less products, but basic living took more out of the family paycheck. Our family could not afford a TV, a second car, more than 2 pairs of shoes per kid, we had one telephone, we didn't have book backpacks (and of course this was pre calculator, computer, cell phones and all of the "basic nesseccities" of life today). Oh, and we were not poor, in fact we were in the middle to upper middle class!
It is American CONSUMERISM that has spawned the cheap labor markets.
The basic supply/demand curve cannot keep up with this countries desire for more.