"The Things They Carried" thesis statement

Tim O'Briens’ book, “The Things They Carried” provides valuable insight into the minds of soldiers, and enlightens us to the emotional and psychological costs of war.  Specifically, the stories of Mary Anne, the baby water buffalo and the chapter “In the Field” help us to relate to the metamorphosis that soldiers undergo.

Artifacts

The men during the Vietnam war carried many things, most of the things they carried were necessities.  In most cases, they also carried things which had personal meaning and defined who they were.  These objects, varied from pictures to letters items found during the war or brought from home.  In many cases they helped to keep some semblance of sanity in the carriers mind and helped to create a "safe" place during the stressful and dangerous war.  The memory that these objects represented was that of loss and great sacrifice.

Migrant Workers

While admittedly most of us would not want to work in the fields for such low pay, under the current circumstances I would agree that migrant workers are not taking any jobs from citizens.  However, it does have a direct affect on the standards of wages for the industry.  If these workers were not available, companies would have to step up and pay fair wages, abide by labor laws and provide healthcare benefits.  That being said, wages are depressed and that is not really serving the best interest of either parties, citizens or immigrants.  I really feel that there needs to be an amicable solution to retaining the immigrants who are here, working, and living productive lives, while at the same time deterring the less desirables (i.e.; drug dealers, smugglers).

Arizona Senate Bill 1070

          The Senate Bill 1070 is a reiteration of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1989 as prescribed by our federal government. The purpose of the bill is to enable state and local authorities the right to enforce the laws and to specifically deter and significantly reduce the migration of illegal immigrants over the borders of Arizona. In fact, it goes as far to say that it must enforce the law, and may be sued by an individual for not doing so. 

           As of right now, I am still researching and developing my own ideas and opinions on this subject, but am happy to do so, as it seems this is a heated subject and one that should be debated openly, after all, most of us come from families who at one time migrated to the United States from another country. I can honestly say, however, that I do agree with being able to enforce a law that is already in place, if the federal government is unable or unwilling to provide that enforcement then it should be allowed to the bordering states which are directly affected.

Hair of the Dog Not Working

           Americans are still ‘hung over’ from the financial crisis, which began four years ago.  As the aftermath of the financial crisis continues to unfold, it is crucial for us to take a sober look at the misgivings of all whom contributed to this chaos.  It is apparent that there are too many entanglements and self interests run riot, and corruption as well as dysfunction of government and throughout the financial sectors are not helping matters.

            In a poll taken in late November early December of 2009  by Adweek, consumers felt that the top three contributors to the economic crisis were, mortgage companies, lending institutions, and the Federal government.  It is easy to point our fingers to other sources of trouble, but we as consumers also play a vital role in all of this mess too, let’s not forget that.  “Household debt hit a record 133 percent of disposable personal income by the end of 2007” as reported by Stephen Roach of the New York Times.  In a personal story, Rahil Tesfahun states that her spending on credit was “a therapeutic addiction” helping to curb her anxiety.  It seems as though we grew comfortable spending what we didn’t really have.

            The Federal Reserve drove interest rates low, in order to prevent a depression, but instead, it made money cheap.  “Excesses are inevitable when money is that cheap” says Dean Croushore, associate economics professor at the University of Richmond.  Consumers were sent the message that it’s okay to buy on credit and a ‘you can have it now’ attitude is what was trickling down from the top. 

            World Bank and International Monetary Fund are two financial institutions which were born of the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944.  They were established to oversee economic policy on a global scale alongside the WTO.  It has been customary that the World Bank is run by the Americans, and the IMF is run by the British.  Discord between the IMF and the World Bank had begun long before the bubble burst.  Joseph E. Stiglitz, Chief Economist at the World Bank and an advisor to the Clinton administration, criticized IMF for employing deficient practices saying that they “neglect the messy complexities.”  Not all was to remain well at the World Bank though either.  A special committee at the bank had concluded that Paul Wolfowitz, President of the bank from 2005 through 2007, had “violated his contract by breaking ethical & governing rules” in 2005, two years before the beginning of the recession.  Lack of trust is apparent amongst the members, which was demonstrated when the pledges made at the G-20 Summit in November 2008 were broken by 17 of them in order that they may restrict trades and protect themselves.  With the interests of so few being represented by the three of these organizations, one could hardly blame the countries which are being adversely affected of protecting themselves and taking appropriate action.

            As part of the conclusion to the federal inquiry made on the 2008 financial crisis, and reported by The New York Times, May 17, 2007, the commission found that the crisis was “avoidable,” it also pointed out failures in government regulation were a factor and has raised the curtain once again on the power of lobbyists and the influence of Wall Street on our governments lawmaking.  They went so far as to say that regulators “lacked the political will” to do their job effectively and in an unbiased manner.  The commission was not a perfect union and displays the divisions amongst our political parties.  If we here at home cannot work together productively and cohesively, then how are we supposed to offer sound guidance globally?

            Some would argue that deregulated globalization is the only way to not inhibit the growth of developing countries and to monitor and regulate it would only hinder the process.  I disagree.  I am not alone in my thinking; Stiglitz also states that it’s not globalization at fault, but the manner in which we are conducting it. 

If we are to ever fully recover, reforms and regulations must be reinstated in order to provide crucial checks and balances which are currently absent. We must also weed out and prevent the lobbying of personal interests in our government, perhaps a clear division of not only church and state, but also, trade and state is in order.  The global banks ought to be run autonomously in order to maintain a high level of trust and respect for and by all of the nations it represents.  As stated by the commission “The greatest tragedy would be to accept the refrain that no one could have seen this coming and thus nothing could have been done, if we accept this notion, it will happen again.”

Reflection

In studying about free trade, global trade, the financial crisis, I have become more aware than before of who I am and what makes me tick.  I have rediscovered that I care, not only about myself, but the welfare of others and the world as a whole.  I have choices today, what to buy, where to buy it, how many I buy, to use credit or not, which personally I prefer the cash method, but it is a necessity to learn how to responsibly utilize credit if you ever want to buy a home.  I also realize that these choices not only affect me, but they can affect someone as far as China.  I can make good, healthy and sound decisions, or wreck less and wasteful ones, but now that I know my choices affect others, and not just myself, I am responsible.  I am responsible to make the best choice I can, I not only owe it to myself, but to my fellows as well.

Countrywide CEO - Angelo Mozilo

The once ranked top 25 people to blame for the financial crisis, Angelo Mozilo, the son of a butcher and raised in the Bronx, had a vision over 40 years ago.  He was able to join with a partner and make his dream a reality, he grew the company into a Fortune 100 diversified financial services company, and was able to grow internationally as well, providing services on 3 continents.  He was known to be a fierce competitor which is what sparked his success.  Not all would remain rosey for him, however, he would soon find himself in the middle of great controversy.  He caught the eye of many investors in early 2007 when he started selling off large amounts of stock options, which to many, is a huge indicator of "problems on the horizon."  It wasn't long after that they made the notorious "watch list", which was an indication to us mortgage folk, that a company was about to sink or go out of business.  The general consensus was "Move your loans now, or you won't get what your borrower needs."  Stocks plummeted and shortly thereafter the bank found itself heading into bankruptcy court.  Mozilo left Countrywide after it was acquired by Bank of America as a bailout purchase.  Bank of America ended up having to clean up the mess that was left behind, spending approximately $8.7 billion in order to settle claims of predatory lending.

Countrywide Financial Corporation

Countrywide Financials' stock prices started dropping about a year or so before the actual recession.  I remember, because I was in the mortgage banking industry.  It was a shock to me when lending practices did an about face virtually overnight.  Countrywide was one of the biggest lenders who performed not only subprime loans but had a large portfolio of "A" paper loans as well.  In July of 2007 their stock prices dropped drastcially to an anual low of $8.21 per share.  The writing was on the wall, there was a stormy road ahead, but noone wanted to admit it publicly.  They were facing bankruptcy by the time the recession had been acknowledged in the fall of 2008, and Bank of America was stepping in to acquire their book of business. Countrywide is no longer in business, but the legacy of bad loans lives on.  

Responsibility Starts Here

The U.S. workers have most definitely suffered as a result of global trade and free trade.  The loss of good paying union jobs, outsourced white collar positions is still taking its toll on our economy. I really believe that the bigger corporate companies have done us a huge disservice and perhaps will go as far to say that we have been set back in our true economic growth.  It is more difficult for the small companies to get business loans and sustain all of the required insurances, payroll, and taxes which are required in order to run a local company.  While these large corporations are being "rewarded" by moving their business offshore.  Tariffs have been lifted, payrolls reduced significantly, lowered taxes, and in many cases, huge tax benefits and shelters for them.  I ask myself  "what can I do as an individual to help my local economy?"  I may choose to buy local produce, as well as other products made or grown locally.  In reality, I will still need to go to the stores and purchase items made offshore.  There are just too many things not made here anymore.  Perhaps the question or reasoning then becomes "how many do I really need"  Since, it seems to me that our very natures are being exploited, perhaps I should take this as an opportunity to adjust my own thinking and habits.  It seems we all, or a large number of us, are suffering from a disease of "more", not better or what is good and healthy for us, but more.  When more of us start to open our eyes and realize this, then perhaps we can effectively start combating some of these issues.

Sweatshop Conditions

Closing down all of the sweatshops around the world would be quite a task, and more than likely do the world an injustice.  While the long hours, arduous hard work loads, substandard equipment, unsafe working conditions, health and safety infringements, and extremely low wages are not appealing to us here in the United States, they are a necessary stepping stone for others in impoverished countries.  They offer an opportunity for some that can afford them a way out of their current living conditions, make education a reality instead of a dream, open doors that were once not there.  While at the same time offering us low priced, or affordable goods.  It is the grim truth that large corporations are benefiting by exploiting underdeveloped countries and their eagerness to work.  Wouldn't it be nice if there were a standard for all companies to comply with regardless if they are located in a developed or non developed country.  Some kind of way to keep them accountable to us as consumers, after all we deserve it.  We pay for it!

Consumer Worksheet

Recently I did some light research on the labor conditions and pay for laborers in China.  I was asked to look at the items I had on me and in my possession including my clothing and such.  In the process, I learned that the majority of those items are made in China.  This was really no surprise to me, however, I was then asked to look a little bit closer at the working conditions, rate of pay, and living standards compared to my own, and this is what I found:

Most of the laborers in China are poor, old, young or migrants.  It is clear that they are or were disadvantaged and that these jobs provide them with a better living.  However, the working conditions for the most part are hazardous, provide little or no safety equipment, extremely long hours, few breaks, and are very demanding physically.  I highly doubt that I would be able to or desire to work in those same conditions.

The average laborer in China working in a factory is currently making about 7 yuan per hour/Chinese which is equivalent to $1.00 dollar/American.  They are working approximately 60 hours per week which affords them an income of approximately 28,000yuan or $4,282.60 dollars.  The standard of living adjustment would indicate that it would provide an american person with an annual income of about $12,847.80, hardly enough to live on let alone try to raise a family.

The brands that I chose to focus on for the purpose of this project were:

Nike, world headquarters located in Beaverton, Oregon and the Regional Headquarters located in the Netherlands.

Levi, located in Brussels Germany and San Francisco, California.