Foxconn is what?

[CowKing]

In the end, if you happen to be an Amercian Citizen you should be worried, very worried. By the third generation after mine, we will be relegated to 3rd world status. We will have lost 80% or more of our manufacturing capability - but we'll still have shoe stores and mcdonalds where everyone can work at (except for the privileged class that works for our then socialist government)

Ahem, that would be a socialist economy not a socialist government. Europe has a mix of Socialism and Capitalism and they seem to be doing fairly well. The problem with America is that it has to be one thing or the other with no middle ground. Also, a lot of people are extremely stupid and don't do their own research to fact check what's being spoon fed to them.

 

Just a little rant that didn't really fit.

 

Seriously, if people actually new what Socialism was they wouldn't just think "Ahhh, Commies, Gulags, Stalin oh my". No Communist nation ever, was a true communist nation. Those nations were not what Karl Marx and Vladamir Lenin had in mind. In fact, pure Communism is actually the complete lack of government and is run purely by the community. Get it Communism, Community? The people behind those nations hid behind communism to fulfill their desire for power and a Totalitarian government.

 

 

Steve Jobs really needs to manage his company better if something the size of a stack of paper costs $15,000 to make in the USA. Doesn't Apple have $50+ billion in reserve just sitting there?

[94Camaro]

Ahem, that would be a socialist economy not a socialist government. Europe has a mix of Socialism and Capitalism and they seem to be doing fairly well. The problem with America is that it has to be one thing or the other with no middle ground. Also, a lot of people are extremely stupid and don't do their own research to fact check what's being spoon fed to them.

Current events fail + spoon feeding irony = win

 

 

Seriously. Google. -- Greece. Iceland. France. Ireland. Germany. Debt Crisis. Rioting. Retirement Age. Pension.

All the entitlement programs are currently biting Europe in the butt.

[CowKing]

Current events fail + spoon feeding irony = win

 

 

Seriously. Google. -- Greece. Iceland. France. Ireland. Germany. Debt Crisis. Rioting. Retirement Age. Pension.

All the entitlement programs are currently biting Europe in the butt.

They're in the same boat as us, but the euro seems to be doing a lot better than the dollar. Last I checked the conversion rate was $1.37 was 1 euro. Greece screwed itself over and left other countries (Germany) to clean up their mess. Spoon feed irony indeed, but not for me.

[cjloki]

Current events fail + spoon feeding irony = win

 

 

Seriously. Google. -- Greece. Iceland. France. Ireland. Germany. Debt Crisis. Rioting. Retirement Age. Pension.

All the entitlement programs are currently biting Europe in the butt.

 

I might be wrong, but i think we're kinda getting off the point here.

I thought the point of the article was that we westerners, in our desire for cheaper "electronica", are fueling a type of Machiavellian eastern corporate greed and power/control situation that's so intense the workers have no way out except for killing themselves. These workers have no choice save quitting and opting for sub poverty level living or death. The company and it's management impose slave labor conditions and (if I read between the lines) brain washing to coerce the workers to endure inhuman conditions for the sake of quota.

I didn't think the author wanted to finger point or blame. He seems only to want to shed some light on an injustice. It seems like we're all responsible in some degree or other because none of us wants to go backwards or give up the gains we've made in technology and the advancement of the human condition. And still these trapped human beings are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to escape their fate.

I feel like there's another tragedy mixed into this; that not many of us in the west seems to awfully concerned about a few Chinese workers. To me it's a shame, that with all our, freedom, education, respect for life, liberty and the pursuit; with all that we have going for us, we aren't able to come up with a solution. We have so much here in America to be grateful for it's a shame...

[IVIYTH0S]

I've got another idea, I think Jobs (or any CEO) should have to work for minimum a week in one of their manufacturing facilities so they can see first hand where some of their profits should go

[bilcliff]

I've got another idea, I think Jobs (or any CEO) should have to work for minimum a week in one of their manufacturing facilities so they can see first hand where some of their profits should go

you mean like that undercover boss tv show

[SpeedCrazy]

I've got another idea, I think Jobs (or any CEO) should have to work for minimum a week in one of their manufacturing facilities so they can see first hand where some of their profits should go

+10000000000000.........etc.

That would be great, except when the plant manager knew he was coming he would brighten and lighten up. Its the same way little kids at school, they are quite happy to bully fight etc. but when they hear the teacher is coming, they are all little angels.

[IVIYTH0S]

you mean like that undercover boss tv show

Yeah but instead of just fixing the way things work with the workers, he will fix himself

[McGrimm]

The low-end iPad sells for $499. If it were built by Americans, it would have to cost $14,970. No one would buy an iPad for $14,970. No one would buy a mid-level laptop for $23,970. No one would buy a smartphone for $5,970.

 

This would be true with if they keep using the same mark-up for the American products as they use for the Chinese. Really I wouldn't be surprised if the iPad actually only cost 20-40% of their selling price. They could easily increase costs with wellness programs for the Chinese workers and not charge more. Hell, they could maybe make them here and charge the same.