Thursday, August 30, 2007

Saving The US Economy From Greedy Corporations in Two Easy Steps!

It was so very odd. During my long involved political and economical training (almost non-existent) I learned that the easiest way to fix things was usually with the simplest solutions. For months I've been fighting with myself because the good liberal way was to help the worker. However, I knew that corporations needed that edge when competing with the world - if I help the little guy, the big guy suffers... if I help the big guy, the little guy suffers. The world is a changing place and everyone needs to keep up. Let us look at some facts right in the face.
1. All corporations are looking for that rich American dollar (though it's no longer rich since the current administration has destroyed the economy). Americans buy all sorts of crap.
2. American corporations no longer want to hire Americans(US Citizens) because we want too much money and they need to compete with cheap labor throughout the world.
3. Foreign corporations don't need US Citizens because the have plenty of cheap labor to make those items that we need. This allows them to make monstrous profits while US companies run in place. The downside is US corporations are hobbled from growing as fast as foreign entities that have lower costs.
4. Foreign corporations have an upper hand because they don't have to compete with the US since they pay less than the US for everything. Plus they don't have environmental restrictions or the same laws that hobble US corporations operating in the US.
5. Many foreign countries don't care about US Citizens because they have suppression problems of their own.
6. Our government doesn't care about us because they have worker suppression problems and they're too busy making money.

I may be thinking to simply but hear me out...

The most important fact is number 1. "All corporations are looking for that rich American dollar. Americans buy all sorts of crap."

One change in US law - and please feel free to make variables.

Any corporation wanting to do business with the United States and it's citizens must have 20% of their work force as US citizens working in the United States.

or

Any corporation wanting to do business with the United States and it's citizens must have a work force of US citizens working in the United States equal to or better than that of the percentage of their business that goes to the United States.

What does this do?
You're thinking, "gosh, 20% isn't much".
But 20% of the world corporations is huge!!!

1. Suddenly, Walmart has to make things in the US. Not a lot, just enough to get them under the wire so they still have cheap stuff(unless you use the "% of their business model").
2. All US companies will have to hire others in the US.
3. Less jobs will be shipped out.
4. Other foreign companies who depend on our buying habits will have to begin competing with US companies on a more level playing field. They have to invest in the US by putting factories here and hiring workers. They are not only hiring workers, they must compete with US companies that have the upper hand and they must offer incentives of money or health care, etc. to entice workers. - Now the little guy's pay increases. Suddenly the playing field of foreign corporations is more equal to the US corporate playing field and they aren't passing US companies in the back stretch since their profits aren't as high.
5. US citizens make more money and buy more making corporations fatter and happier.
6. Those foreign corporations that move to the US have to follow environmental laws. Now, 20% of their manufacturing is not as bad on the environment.
7. There is now so much competition for labor that corporations don't want to suppress workers, they want to make them happy.

There is one draw back with a solution.
-Corporations will try to save money by cutting costs in other ways. - Foreign workers get hurt.

Solution:
Any corporation wishing to do business with the US and its citizens may only sell items that were made by employees who make a "living wage" for their country based on decisions of "what is a living wage for their country?" by the US.

Corporations can sell their wares here provided they are made in the US or by foreign workers who make a living wage providing that 20% is still made in the US.

1. Items made in the US are more likely to be bought by the US.
2. Foreign workers get a boost.
3. US corporations still have an advantage since they're all here.
4. US corporations that left will have to return(except Haliburton because we don't give a shit about them but may allow them to come back to the US after they pay the 12 billion they 'lost' and the other 200 billion they embezzled).
5. Since foreign corporations have to invest in the US, there will be less chance of war.

You see, corporations seem to be in a race to be THE corporation. "It's not enough that I win, all others must fail". With a few tweeked rules there is competition for everything and nobody wins or loses.

While we're at it, let us bring back the monopoly rules so no corporation can become THE corporation.