[dirtboy]

I guess you should just not be a worthless eater. /sarcasm

But this is typical of the thinking that has taken over government and corporations any more. Labor is a commodity to them. But people tend to be much more complicated than a trainload of coal or copper ingots. I really think voters and consumers need to start demonstrating to politicians and corporate leaders that they are indeed more than commodities - by changing who they vote for and who they buy from.

[Mugwump]

Dirtboy, I couldn't agree more! What disturbs me, though, is how our own government is turning a totally deaf ear to us on this issue. Another concern is how we can marshal sufficient numbers to make our voices heard loud and clear, both to the government and the corporate world. Yes, I believe Congress is in for a big shock this November, and I have no way of knowing what type of shock it will be. The businesss world is a different story -- because of globalization, IMO. Markets are getting huge, and a few hundred thousand (or a few million) consumers aren't going to mean much to a company that sells its wares in 20 countries.

Then, there's the "bread and circuses" aspect. Joe Sixpack's not aware of the implications here, and won't want to learn as long as he's got the wide-screen and the aforementioned six pack.

I'm open to encouragement, and I'll certainly do my part, but I am getting concerned. And that's not like me.