subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, May 13 2008 

Published April 30, 2008 02:35 pm - Business column

Change is natural part of growing economy


By Arthur Foulkes
THE TRIBUNE STAR (TERRE HAUTE, Ind.)

Imagine you live on a South Pacific island with just five families.

Each family specializes in a different line of work. One family fishes; one makes and repairs huts; one gathers fruit; one makes weapons for protection from wild animals; and one family walks to a spring high in the hills to gather and deliver fresh water.

Over time, thanks to specialization and investment in new tools, each family gets more and more efficient at its job and island productivity increases. With greater productivity comes higher standards of living because each person on the island is able to give more and receive more goods in trade.

Things are fine on the island until one day an earthquake shakes things up and a fresh water spring appears right in the middle of the village. Everyone suddenly has an abundant and easy supply of fresh water.

This may come as a nasty shock to the family that gathered water for a living, but even they can take advantage of the new spring. The families on the island now have one less item they must purchase in their weekly shopping, leaving more resources left for other things.

Of course, the water-gathering family must now find another way to earn a living. They may decide to make clothing, weave hammocks or open a theater.

Whatever they decide, the new product they produce will add to the wealth and quality of life on the island.

Unfortunately, in America, when lower-cost goods arrive on our shores, things sometimes happen differently. Organized interests, such as shrimp producers, sugar producers, steel producers and many others, complain of “dumping” and force importers to charge higher prices. It would be as if the water-gathering family could force the new spring to be closed over.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premier Guide

Premium Jobs

1462-Welders/Fitters
Structural Welders and/or structural fitters with starting pay between $10.50-$12.25 DOE and benefits after 60 days. App...>MORE

1420-Warehouse Delivery Driver
WAREHOUSE Delivery Driver needed for busy medical company. Experience preferred. Fax resume to 918-686-0345, attn: Kyle....>MORE

1475-Registration Clerk
The Chickasaw Nation Health Systems is accepting applications for the following: Registration Clerk. For a description o...>MORE

1482-Security Officers
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Gaming Security is now taking applications for Security Officers. Qualifications: Must be 21 yea...>MORE

693- District Sales Manager
District Sales Manager Circulation- Full Time- Exempt Position. The Muskogee Phoenix has an immediate opening for a Circ...>MORE

1478-Controller
Controller accounting position for Muskogee based franchised company. Experience required in monthly closings, financial...>MORE

1460-Driver
Need driver for transporting clients to and from appointments. Job requirements: good driving record, background & drug ...>MORE

1458-Food Service Specialist
Oklahoma School for the Blind has an opening for Food Service Specialist, Level I; this is a full time permanent positio...>MORE

1470-Mechanic
Marine Mechanic needed to work at large marina on Lake Tenkiller year round. Must be Mercruiser trained and experienced....>MORE

1479-Accounting
Accounting
Full time Accounting position open. Insurance after 6 months. Must have computer experience - Word/Excel
...>MORE

1477-Lube Tech
Experienced Lube Tech wanted. Call Aaron Duvall - 918-687-1234...>MORE

1468-HTS
HTS - Oklahoma MENTOR is seeking reliable, compassionate staff that have a background working with individuals with deve...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

rc