Saturday, May 18, 2013

IF WE CAN DEMAND GLOBAL PATENT RIGHTS WE CAN DEMAND GLOBAL WORKER RIGHTS

Have you ever wondered why we have building codes? Have you ever wondered why exits must be clearly marked? Have you ever wondered why workers can demand that their rights at the work place be respected? If you're like most Americans you probably don't give much thought to these or other "pesky" regulatory issues.

A quick review of the conditions that existed before the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire help us understand why we have regulations that protect us every day - whether we want to acknowledge it or not.


This video clip begins with the Shirtwaist Factory Fire and then connects the fire to current labor standards here and around the world ...


Long story short? We need to start considering restrictions on imported goods if some of our most basic standards are not respected abroad. Think about it. If we can demand global protections for patent rights we can demand global protections for workers rights.

Without this globalization becomes just another way to buy off or skirt regulations. This, in turn, undermines much of the hard work and sacrifice that was done to build up and protect America's middle-class in the 20th century.

- Mark

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