carepov

I am not very familiar with the Turcotte case but more familiar with Li (beheading of Tim MacLean). Li was sick and did not know it. It would be like a person having their first epileptic seizure while driving and killing someone, or even a group of toddlers crossing a street. Who's fault would that be? What sentence should the epileptic receive?

First of all I am glad that this news is getting out and I am glad that people like you are putting pressure on Wal-Mart, Sears and Gap to source ethically. Obviously I see business and corporations differently than you. I will try to explain. Businesses and corporations are human organizations with all the same kinds of variations in behaviour and personalities. So are governments and NGO’s. Anyways, it may seem like businesses focus only on maximizing profits while sacrificing customer satisfaction, employee happiness and safety, breaking laws and regulations, grinding down suppliers – and yes this does happen. However, in the long term (10-20 years), all these interests converge! You cannot be a profitable business without happy and safe employees, satisfied customers, strong supplier relationships, adherence to laws and regulations. Equally true: in the long term, you cannot stay in business without making profits. In the long-term successful companies do it all – make profits, adhere to laws and regulations, and satisfy customers, employees and suppliers. IMO, singling out Wal-Mart as “evil” is illogical. Consider that they have ~14% of the US retail markeshare and much less world-wide. Consumers and suppliers have plenty of choices as do most people that work in the retail sector. Also consider that they have over 2,000,000 employees. You can listen to stories of disgruntled employees all day but tell me, how satisfied are Wal-Mart employees compared to others working in the retail industry? The fire was tragic, and I do hope that Wal-Mart puts pressure on their suppliers to improve. But, plant safety is the responsibility of the plant owners, management and the local government officials.

You are dead wrong on many points. From, http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/about-our-charity/archive/2012/11/bangladesh-makes-great-strides-in-improving-the-lives-of-the-poor, “Between 1990 and 2020, average life expectancy rose by ten years to 69. (This is four years longer than life expectancy in India, despite Indians being on average twice as rich.) And though the growth in Bangladesh’s economy has been modest, the percentage of its people below the poverty line has dropped significantly, from 49% in 2000 to 32% in 2010. Bangladeshis have also seen impressive gains in health and education. Over 90% of girls are now enrolled in primary school and Bangladesh is one of only three low-income nations where girls outnumber boys at secondary school (see the article 'Developments for school children in Bangladesh'). And child mortality rates have dropped significantly. In 1990, 139 children under the age of five died for every 1,000 live births; in 2011, the figure was 46. In a special feature on the country, The Economist looks at Bangladesh’s development, which has been disproportionately great given the country’s fairly moderate economic growth of around 5% per year (GDP in real terms) since 1990. Its success in improving the lives of its citizens is attributed to four main factors; the high number of women with access to family planning which has reduced population growth, the boosting of harvests and rural household incomes, the establishment of microcredit lending for the poorest and the introduction of social programmes such as food-for-work and cash transfer schemes.” I though that you would like the other source: http://www.undp.org.bd/info/pub/Empowered%20Lives%20Resilient%20Bangladesh%20-%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf as it is full of interesting stories and pictures (not at all focussed on economic growth). Your source also is correct and I don’t want you to think that I believe that Bangladesh is some kind of paradise – it is not and there are a lot of problems including over-population, poverty and possible issues with climate change. As I said before, we need to understand the situation before trying to solve these problems – and you are showing a lack of understanding. -Relative poverty has been decreasing dramatically -Health has been dramatically improving -Education, especially education of women, has been dramatically improving -Population growth has been declining (your source makes a big assumption about population growth staying at 1.75% over the next 40 years) To drive this point home, if hypothetically you could be born into a random family in Bangladesh and you could choose the year 1971 or 2011? Yes there are problems but some policies have obviously worked and those policies should be promoted. I argue that one of these policies is trade liberalization especially foreign direct investment. I also support all the UN programs highlighted in http://www.undp.org.bd/info/pub/Empowered%20Lives%20Resilient%20Bangladesh%20-%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf

No. I am on MLW to learn and to express my own views. I am deeply concerned about human rights and poverty. I believe that you are too but for some reason you have a deluded world view. Are you kidding? “Sudden arrival of vaccinations and antibiotics”? – we are talking about 1980 to 2010. Besides – who discovers and produces vaccinations and antibiotics - evil pharmaceutical companies? Also, the improvements in health and life expectancy in Bangladesh are impressive relative to almost any other country! How about the dramatic improvements in education and literacy rates? May I suggest that you check out the following links that contradict your views: http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/about-our-charity/news/bangladesh-makes-great-strides-in-improving-the-lives-of-the-poor http://www.undp.org.bd/info/pub/Empowered%20Lives%20Resilient%20Bangladesh%20-%20FINAL%20PDF.pdf Wal-Mart is tough on suppliers, yes. So are many companies. I see that as a net positive, but I understand that Steve would be a bit upset. Try this: Make a list of all countries that produce goods shipped to Wal-Mart and then another list that does not ship to Wal-Mart. Then ask yourself, in which list of countries would you rather live? Where are the numbers on the so-called “race-to –the bottom”? I have been reading about for 25 years and have yet to see any evidence of it happening. In what countries is poverty increasing? Why? You may be correct in your predictions - but I don’t think so.

Oh no? How do you explain these results?: Life expectancy was 55 years in 1980 and now is 69 years. Expected years of schooling was 4.4 years in 1980 and now is 8.1 years. I could go on - infant/maternal mortality, access to sanitation, hunger... Do you have numbers to support this claim? You are good at sharing stories and I do sympathize with victims of all human rights abuses especially poverty too. However, despite billions of people worldwide, and tens of millions suffering in Bangladesh, and a great deal of work to be done – I maintain that, in general, “these days” are better than the “good old days” and the UN Human Development index supports this claim. The UN Human Development metrics are not " just tracking the flow of money" - look it up. As with any problem, the first step towards solving poverty is to understand the current situation and trends - you don't seem to have a good understanding. Over the last ~30 years there are countries that have allowed/encouraged Foreign Direct Investment and those that have not. Can you show me evidence that those countries that have embraced (or using your words: have been suckered into) globalization have fared worse than countries that have not globalized? And please, no stories– just data. Good question – I do not have the answer. Do you have data to support this claim? For example have wages declined in countries such as Vietnam, China, India, Brazil, Mexico? In which countries have wages/living standards decreased? Well I don’t see it that way. When I am satisfied with a product I am happy for the workers that produced it regardless of what country they are from. Again, it’s too bad about the fire. My (admittedly simplistic) solution would be to encourage the Bangladeshi governments to enact and enforce proper worker safety laws. Companies should continue to source ethically – like Disney and Wal-Mart do. What do you think should be done? Should we stop buying imported goods? Do you think that would help the average Bangladeshi? Again, I do not see it that way. I do not see much of a difference between Wal-Mart, Target, Canadian Tire, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Best Buy, Amazon, Dollar Stores, etc… in terms of treatment of workers, corporate responsibility. Maybe you or someone else can show me some comparative data and convince me otherwise. You should also acknowledge many of the good things that Wal-Mart has done too. Call me naïve but in democracies I do hold the electorate responsible for electing a government. Here you loose even more credibility when you bring up antitrust or the idea of a Wal-Mart monopoly– do you even know Wal-Mart’s market share of the US retail business? It is ~13-14% and no longer expanding.

Please let me ask you this, what do you think the average and marginal tax rates should be for the following families (2 adults + 2 children)?: Single income from employment: $30,000 Dual income from employment: $80,000 Single income from employment: $1,000,000 Single income from capital gains: $1,000,000

Of course the fire was tragic and Bangladesh plant safety standards should be improved. You make it sound like life in Bangladesh has worsened in the last 30 years. Although I have never been there, the human development statistics paint me a different picture: http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/BGD.html http://hdrstats.undp.org/images/explanations/BGD.pdf The fact is that life for the average person in Bangladesh has improved dramatically in the last 30 years. Trade liberalization cannot be given full credit for this improvement - but there must be something going right. Sure, this seems like a good idea, but it is easier said than done. Most consumers do not have the time for this and don’t have the money to overpay for products. I believe that the responsibility to protect worker’s safety and the environment lies with national governments that implement and enforce laws. If we live in a “global village” then isn’t everything “local”? I will always buy as little as possible and choose products and services that offer me the best value (usually used products). When buying new, Wal-Mart, Superstore, Old Navy, Best Buy, Amazon, Canadian Tire, Dollarama are all stores that I typically shop at and I do not see any reason that a change in my shopping habits would have a positive impact on human development – but I welcome opposing viewpoints. What’s wrong with Wal-Mart anyways? http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/ethical-sourcing Where do you like to shop?

Good post. I respect Harper because he is the best leader in terms of winning elections. I disrespect the electorate for accepting leaders like Harper. Although I do not agree that "the alternatives sucked more" I could argue either side of that question.

You may want to update your "facts": http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/recession-unemployment-drive-americans-north-1.875578

Here is a good article on this issue: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/11/12/f-rfa-macdonald-american-neighbours.html

OK, Canada and the US - like they would say in Thailand, "same, same, but different"

I'm not sure what your point is anymore?

Yes, it is true (and completely logical) that "Canadians pay far more attention to the U.S. than do Americans to Canada". I would bet that this is true whenever a relatively small country neigbours a large country, or even a state. I would assume that Oklahomans pay more attention to Texas than Texans to Oklahoma. Are Oklahomans not very similar to Texans?

No I do not agree. I'll try again: Canadians PARTLY define themselves as not being American. There are differences between our countries but most Canadians overstate the differences. What do I need to reconcile? Yes, many Americans would have inferior health care if they moved to Canada. Most would have the same health care and many would have better care. On average, health care results would be about the same with the Canadian system costing about 30 % less.

Thank you, I double-checked and must admit that I should rethink my "collectivist rating" for Japan.

First of all, I disagree "with the idea that a Canadian identity is defined as not being American", this is definitely part of our identity as it is natural to compare ourselves with Americans, just as I assume Kiwis do with Aussies. Second, when it comes to many public policies I am suspect of "American-style" because of their inferiority, I am specifically thinking of judicial and health care policies. That said, you do have a point in that there are many Canadians that exagerate the differences and "dangers".

What differences? Everything, including the "shallow" and "deeper" differences. Everything = Values, Language, Culture, Economics, Politics, Laws... Monarch vs. republic? who cares? In my book this is a very "shallow" difference Collectivist vs. individualist ? sure that's important, on a scale of 1-10, let's say Japan is a 8-9 (collectivist), China an 7-8, most of Europe 4-6, the USA 1-3 (individualist) Canada would be a 2-4? IMO, Canada is almost as individualist as the USA.

I will take Michael's side on this point: our countries are very similar. Of course there are differences, but I bet that when most of the 6 billion people outside of our hemisphere look at us they would not see any significant differences. Here's a fun game: what pair of countries are the most similar? Canada/USA Belgium/Luxembourg Morocco/Algeria Australia/New Zealand Thailand/Laos Argentina/Chile ...

Thank you wyly!

Well I suppose that you are correct, it comes down to preferences. You prefer excitement, nice weather, and more gun freedom, while I prefer safety, meritocracy, more liquor freedom and less obesity. All in all both Canada and the USA are great countries and from an outsider's perspective we are not that different.

I also liked that explanation from the Republican panelist on CBC and was very impressed with her analysis of her party. Does anyone know her name?

The point is 40,000,000+ people CAN be wrong! OK, I will concede that Canada is more boring than the US. Well clearly Canada’s suicide rate is no worse than the US despite the long dark winters. Wouldn’t staying out of jail be a “universal desire”? Americans are over 6 times more likely to be in jail. Wouldn’t surviving child birth be a “universal desire”? American women are twice as likely to die giving birth. Wouldn’t not getting murdered be a “universal desire”? Americans are about 3 times more likely to get murdered.

How could over 50 million people vote against the almighty Bush/Cheney? I concede the worse weather. But I contend your claim about Canada being more boring, what support do you have for this? Suicide rate are about the same and perhaps suicide is more related to the darker winters. The comparisons I provided showed huge differences between Canada and the US.

Oh yeah, how do you explain the 2004 Presidential election? Well I guess it would be exciting to have a drug-addicted teenage mom and dodge bullets as you go visit your dad in jail. Suicide Rate (per 100,000): US: 12.0, Canada 11.3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

So you would choose to be re-born into the US over Canada because there are more immigrants entering the US? Do these facts not bother you?. US / Canada / Source Life expectancy at birth (years) 78.5 / 81 / UN Under-five mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 8 / 6 / UN Maternal mortality ratio (deaths of women per100,000 live births) 24 / 12 / UN Teen birth rate (per 1,000 girls) 39 / 13 / World Bank Incarceration Rate (per 100,000) 730 / 114 / Wiki Murder Rate (per 100,000) 4.2 / 1.6 / Wiki