>>CNN recently has been harping about the record pricing for gas in the U.S. It's the same here too.
>>
>>In enumerating the causes, one that is mentioned is the hugely increased demand for oil by CHINA. And of course supply/demand is the name of the game.
>>
>>So here we have an indirect consequence of outsourcing - the increased cost of commodities like oil on our own soil.
>>With all of the U.S., Canadian, Japanese and European manufacturing moving to China they naturally need more oil. While we should need less as a consequence is true, that doesn't really matter. This is because the price is NOT based on how much you need. Rather, it is based on 'bidding' by those who do need it.
>>Now China, of course, with its VASTLY LOW WAGES can afford to bid more. Thus we all have to pay more to get what we need, whatever the amount.
>>
>>Globalization is such a fine thing... corporations get richer and richer while people lose their jobs and get poorer and poorer whether with job or not.
>>
>>By the way, it would be interesting to see how the government tallies the "inflation rate". In Canada at least it is always quoted in the 1%-2% range annualized yet most everything I buy costs 5%-50% more from purchase to purchase (except for cumputer-related stuff).
>>
>>Doomer
>
>nowadays just about anything is 'computer related'.
>
>In 1980 one paid a couple of grand for a VCR and $400 for a video game.
>Now you can get a DVD player for $100 and a video game in a bargain basement bin for very little..
>One other thing.. when you got cancer in 1980 you were dead.
>Now, you have a chance....there may be waiting lists for certain procedures,however, these procedures did not exist in 1980.
>
>IMHO from 1973 to 1994 the North American economy was basically stagnant/static. From 1945-1973 and 1994-2004 things have been REAL GOOD.
>
>Due to significantly lower interest rates it is far easier to own a home...
>overall the quality of life in Canada has improved over the last 25 years.
>
>Free Trade Rocks!

Hi Dave,

I have no problem with "free trade" (other than the Americans" placing import duties on some things 'until a ruling is obtained', which is a way to starve out our affected businesses.

Your VCR, PC etc prices have NOTHING AT ALL to do with the free trade agreement.

There is a huge difference between "free trade" and "globalization". I'm talking about the latter.

Jim