>>>>>>>>Different strokes. Both viewpoints have some merit.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I agree. It's just that I don't understand why I have to justify my own decision. It's my money, and I spend them exactly the way I want. I normally replace my laptop every 5-6 year, and I use it 8-10 hours per day. So when I buy a new one, I always make sure to get the one that fits my need best, both current and for the foreseeable future.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Lol It's Mike you know....
>>>>>>hmm.. only 8-10 hours ? are we getting lazy ? <vbg>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Im sure there are some chinese laborers somewhere that thank you for the $20 they made all month.
>>>>
>>>>At least Tore makes sure they earn SOMETHING. ;)
>>>
>>>Exactly! That's my way of contributing to the world going round.
>>
>>
>>Thats not the kind of world I want to see.
>
>I don't think anyone here wants that kind of world. And that was a semi-colon before the parens, not a colon. I don't, and don't personally know, anyone who does: you have much company on that one.
>
>That said, I find the choice to be made often difficult: if I buy goods made by exploited workers, their wages will end up rising (as they are in China). Yet at the same time I'm supporting a system that exploits people on a large scale.
>
>Of course all of us, likely, through our taxes support a system that does a lot of good, and also does a lot of bad. I've known a principled, anti-war, tax resister (now passed) who happily lost him home (after two visits to the SCOTUS): most of us aren't prepared for what he went through, on whatever our issue might be.
>
>Although the base principles are black and white (exploiting people: bad; murdering innocent people: bad; headstart: good; healthcare for all: good), the implementation is almost always grey, it seems to me.
>
>Thanks for mentioning it. Our country is far behind Scandinavia in terms of a collective sense of responsibility for each other's well-being. The historical trend is in that direction, but trailing, as it did for women's rights, as it still does for LGBT rights, etc. We need to be reminded that some things are not OK, even if the choices are difficult, and the obstacles to making things right seemingly insurmountable.
>
>Hank



Thanks for having a conscience :)