Least and most religious nations

[Thorne]

The consumer economy, on the other hand, does demand worship, full time and devoted

Nonsense. The consumer economy only demands consumers and suppliers. There's nothing to worship. Suppliers provide the products, consumers purchase them. If the suppliers don't provide quality products, consumers don't, or at least shouldn't, buy them.

People want to believe that their lives are controlled by the evil corporations, but in reality the corporations can only exist as long as we continue to purchase their products. If you aren't happy with the products, stop buying them! If you don't like the way the corporations do business, start your own business. People start new businesses every day around the world. (And businesses fail every day, too.)

And I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about the corporations making profits. That's what corporations are there for! It's what they do! If you want to develop a product, manufacture it, sell it and not make a profit at it, then I have to think the problem lies with you, and not with those who DO make a profit. How many people are willing to work for just enough money to pay their bills, with nothing left for extras? No movie tickets, no restaurant outings, no cable TV. Just food and housing, the basic necessities. Yet this is exactly what they expect the corporations to do: make no profits, nothing above the cost of actually doing business. That's just silly, and selfish.

[thir]

If the suppliers don't provide quality products, consumers don't, or at least shouldn't, buy them.

However, things are just not that easy. How do your know if a product is quality, or even safe? Do you think the ads will tell you? I recently posted an article about medicine, and how the medicinal industry largely control release of their products, safe or not, useful or not. That is just one example.

You can do things in some cases, but first you have to know.

And I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about the corporations making profits.

Then stop reading about it. Nobody is forcing you.

That's what corporations are there for! It's what they do! If you want to develop a product, manufacture it, sell it and not make a profit at it, then I have to think the problem lies with you, and not with those who DO make a profit. How many people are willing to work for just enough money to pay their bills, with nothing left for extras? No movie tickets, no restaurant outings, no cable TV. Just food and housing, the basic necessities. Yet this is exactly what they expect the corporations to do: make no profits, nothing above the cost of actually doing business. That's just silly, and selfish.

Poor little coporations - how they must suffer! ;-)

[Thorne]

However, things are just not that easy. How do your know if a product is quality, or even safe? Do you think the ads will tell you? I recently posted an article about medicine, and how the medicinal industry largely control release of their products, safe or not, useful or not. That is just one example.

You can do things in some cases, but first you have to know.

One way is to do the research, something which is vastly easier, on the consumer level, due to the access granted by the internet. Check out consumer groups, look for others who have tried the product, develop a list of "trusted" producers that you will be more likely to purchase from. For example, I enjoy eating fresh peaches. We generally buy those which are grown locally, and they are generally delicious. At one point, when the local supply was gone, my wife bought some peaches which had been imported from Chile. They were terrible! We don't buy those kinds of peaches anymore.

Granted, you can't always know everything you need to know, but people have to stop blaming corporations and take a little responsibility on themselves to find out.

Then stop reading about it. Nobody is forcing you.

Touche! <grin> But if I stop reading about it I can't argue about it. And that's more than half the fun.

[thir]

One way is to do the research, something which is vastly easier, on the consumer level, due to the access granted by the internet

Good thinkg we have it then, or we would be at the mercy of the corps!

Check out consumer groups, look for others who have tried the product, develop a list of "trusted" producers that you will be more likely to purchase from.

Does anyone have the time to do this for every product??

I happen to think that it is more reasonable and logical that an official independent body does this research, rather than we all do it individually. And anyway official authority and laboratories would be nessecary.

Granted, you can't always know everything you need to know, but people have to stop blaming corporations and take a little responsibility on themselves to find out

What you are saying is that the corps can do what they like as long as it makes money, and it is up to us to survive the products.

[/QUOTE]

[Thorne]

Does anyone have the time to do this for every product??

Probably not, but it's not always necessary. Word of mouth works well. If your friends and neighbors are happy with something, at least it's worth giving it a try. It's only in expensive items, such as appliances, cars, tv's, etc., that research would prove beneficial.

I happen to think that it is more reasonable and logical that an official independent body does this research, rather than we all do it individually. And anyway official authority and laboratories would be nessecary.

There is Consumer Reports, of course, which is supposed to be independent. But you still have to look for their reports, research what they have learned. You can't expect them to send out info to everyone.

What you are saying is that the corps can do what they like as long as it makes money, and it is up to us to survive the products.

Not at all! The corporations should be controlled, to at least some degree, by the government. But making sure their products are suitable FOR YOU is your responsibility.

[thir]

Quote Originally Posted by thir View Post

Does anyone have the time to do this for every product??

It's only in expensive items, such as appliances, cars, tv's, etc., that research would prove beneficial.

What about food, drinks, medicine, clothes with chemicals in them and other household stuff?

I happen to think that it is more reasonable and logical that an official independent body does this research, rather than we all do it individually. And anyway official authority and laboratories would be nessecary.

There is Consumer Reports, of course, which is supposed to be independent. But you still have to look for their reports, research what they have learned. You can't expect them to send out info to everyone.

What I expect is that nothing that is not safe is sent out!

What you are saying is that the corps can do what they like as long as it makes money, and it is up to us to survive the products.

Not at all! The corporations should be controlled, to at least some degree, by the government. But making sure their products are suitable FOR YOU is your responsibility.

That is not what I am discussing at all - obviously we all have our individual health problems.

[Thorne]

That is not what I am discussing at all - obviously we all have our individual health problems.

Which is a part of my point. Something which I can consume without any problems, such as peanuts, can have devastating effects on someone else. Does that mean that all peanut products should be banned? Of course not! But yes, anything containing peanut products should be marked as such, and that's what the government should strive to control. That's why producers are required to list ingredients.