Help Wanted: 12 Cents an Hour
by Bill Faber In the spring of 1945, upon discharge from the Navy, my father put away his navigation tools of sextant and compass. America’s victory in WW II brought forth a generation filled with pride and promise. Pride in its defeat of evil and rescue of freedom. A promise of a nation destined for greatness. Now, a half century later, the pride lays wilted and the promise in question. In 1945 America saved Europe. Today our politicians and CEO’s betray a nation as surely as Benedict Arnold betrayed his commander George Washington. Under the banners of laissez faire, free trade, and globalism they give China our technology, our jobs and our money. The U.S. granted China most favored nation trading status and supported its entry into the World Trade Organization. Many seem to forget that China is a communist nation that opposes America’s principles of democracy and freedom. China dominates world trade because it sells goods cheaper than anyone else. Chinese factor workers, mostly young single women, get paid about 12 to 30 cents an hour. They labor 12 to 16 hours six days a week and have no rights. Many live under conditions that have been described by researchers as bestial, horrific and abominable. Last April the AFL-CIO presented a petition to U.S.government charging that China’s treatment of workers constituted unfair trade practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. At the request of the Chamber of Commerce the U.S. government rejected the petition. As a nation we must work to rescue our Chinese sisters who work as virtual slaves with no rights and no dignity. “If a man has the power to do good, it is sinful in him to leave it undone.” James 4:17. If the U.S. government makes China play fair, then Decatur will get its jobs back. When the rules are fair there are no workers in the world who can compete with us. I urge you to call or write the Decatur/Macon County Chamber of Commerce to urge them to work to make China play fair. Thanks for listening. Bill Faber is a Decatur lawyer with 20 years experience trying cases to juries of the people. He welcomes your comments at 425-9002; wmfaber@wmfaber.com
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