Some Free market discusion.

I've been engaged in an ongoing debate with Bill Powel from Bill Powell is Alive, on the practicallity on a theoretical level of a new bill to restrict trade with China to products not manufactured through 'sweatshop' labor. It began as a response to a post on his blog attacking the brutality of Chinese factories and lauding the bill. I, of course am against the bill on the grounds that it will only hurt in in the long run.

Here a link to his post.

I wish the conversation was made available through the comment's section of his blog but, alas, I cannot comment on Mr. Powell's blog. The debate has transcribed instead through E-mail. I don't know if Mr. Powell would appreciate my publishing his mail that he sent me but I will publish my first response to his post:

It would seem that because people traveled so far just to get sweatshop jobs that they are better than the alternative, no?

Anyhow, proof that the further influx of the free-market is helping China here, and here. Wage slave indeed. Wage slavery can only exist where someone holds a monopoly on employment. With hundreds of companies owning factories in China, this is not the case.

As to that bill, I believe a restriction on imports would do more to discourage the building of factories in China period rather than improving their conditions. This would hurt China (and its people) far more than any inhumane factory conditions.

With Mr. Powell's permission I'll publish the entire rest of it because it's gotten pretty interesting. Until then, I hope you enjoy.

God Bless.