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Imagine this: the U.S. as a future sweatshop
(September 9, 2008) -- I like being a part-time conspiracy theorist. I'm not like the smoking guns trio on "The X-Files" nor the paranoid character Mel Gibson played in the movie, "Conspiracy Theory." I savor making my own up.
I suppose I can attribute my I-see-a-conspiracy-in-everything gift to my days as a newspaper reporter and editor. I had my fill of real conspiracies while in Burlington, Asheboro, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach and, yes, Wadesboro. It seemed there always was something underhanded going on for an intrepid writer to look into with a calloused eyebrow raised.
My latest theory involves the euro. Right now, the euro is worth a whole lot more than our dollar, which means astute foreign investors can exchange their euros for our dollars, then invest those deflated dollars in property purchases, et cetra, in the U.S. of A. At some point in the future timeline, the once unchallenged industrial might of the U.S. will have vanished into the history book. Then, we will become the China, Pakistan, India and Mexico of today, where cheap labor produces cheap products that are being sold in the global market.
My theory's scenario goes like this: China, Pakistan, India and Mexico will have become wealthy industrial nations at our expense and we Americans, who did not see the fall coming in time to learn a new language and move to one of the now Big Four nations, will be lined up to spend 16-hour days in a local textile sweatshop (that is using the same equipment that was stripped, sold and shipped to the aforementioned countries in the 1990s and 2000s and has made a complete circle). In North America, some of us will become the illegal aliens crossing the Rio Grande to work, live and become a social problem in a now-rich Mexico.
Well, that's my latest conspiracy theory. It's something to think about.
Some this 'n' that:
A few months ago, I wrote that I could not wait until August when the political mudbath between Democrats Barrack Obama and Hilary Clinton would be over. Well, August has come and gone. Now it's time for the real bloodbath between Obama/Biden and McCain/Palin to begin. The good news is: it'll all be over on Nov. 5.
While enjoying the stromboli cuisine at Bela Italy in Rockingham, I picked up a copy of the Sandhills Business Times to peruse while waiting for our order. On Page 24, under the "Regional Roundup," I read that T. Easton Marchant III became the fifth president of Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. In Anson County, we knew him as Bud Marchant when he served as vice president for educational programs at South Piedmont Community College.
When I worked at the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, Bud was one of my most faithful volunteers, serving on several Chamber committees and, especially, helping out with the annual Chamber Open Golf Tournament. If I recall correctly, Bud was a finalist for the SPCC presidency after Don Altieri retired; but lost out to John McKay, the current president. I wish Bud well in his new position, which became official on Sept. 1.
In Pinehurst for a doctor's appointment, Carla and I were browsing a few stores in Pinecrest Plaza Shopping Center when I spotted Custard's First Stand. My immediate thought was a refreshing ice cream or yogurt cone, but I was disappointed when I walked up to the front door to see a "For Lease" sign taped to the window. I guess the marquee overhead should've read Custard's Last Stand, eh?
One final observation. I know our local police department and the State Highway Patrol are busy, busy, busy; however, I do wish they could catch some of these big semi-trucks running the redlights on U.S. 74 -- especially at the intersection of U.S. 74, Kitty Bennett Road and Anson High School Road. A warning to drivers crossing U.S. 74 enroute to Wal-Mart: when your light goes from red to amber to green, pause and look both ways twice before putting the gas pedal to the metal. It could save your life -- even if idiot driver behind you is laying on his/her horn as if Death was knocking on the door.
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