Stepping on Invisible People

Kim Jong-il warned years ago of the consequences of taking physical or fiscal actions against North Korea. This in response to outside pressure concerning North Korean internal policies. Of course those policies were nuclear enrichment programs. One of the motivating elements of Gandhi's movement centered upon Britain's desire to pursue more modern methods of textile production. An act which would effectively put masses of Indian craftsmen out of work. Major Paranoia, an old army buddy, argues that Japan, unable to compete with the Bomb, reoriented itself after the war to ruin America economically.

Americans struggle in the Wal-Mart paradox of the Big box economy. Quandary of higher wages versus lower product costs. On the surface of this dilemma, the easily viewable consequences such as dangerously high lead levels in unregulated overseas products. Hidden below is the linking of ours to foreign labor pools and the resultant watering down of earning capacity. Funny though, if all your products are made in China, all your stores in the states will eventually fail since you are not employing the people you are catering to.

Si Fallor Sum entertains these lofty meanderings, which really are of no order and little significance, as people earning triple Fallor's salary put Si Fallor out of work. This of course happens when an area or state's economy is centered upon one industry i.e., automotive. Especially when manufacturing plants focus on catering to one specific company. This sets up a chain of suppliers whose fates are linked, even if their only contact is with the end man. The axle plant goes on strike and as a result the producers of the headliners, engines, doors, etc… are forced into layoffs.

The situation struck Si Fallor's interest, due not only to personally vested interests, but because the insight it provided. The workers at the instigating plant walked out when their company wanted to slash salaries in order to maintain competitiveness in a tough market and lean economy. The part produced at this plant is complex and integral. Not something that is easily replaced by seeking another supplier. Hence all the ancillary suppliers are shut down as production stops. In Si Fallor Sum's case this means that the people that are worried about their pay are putting out of work those earning less than half that they do. All due to that invisible thread of connection. People they've never met, never seen, don't even know they exist. Not in a credible tangible way.

Si Fallor Sum is not complaining about the money these people make. Si Fallor's financial situation is a result of Fallor's own failed dialogue with Miss Ogeny. Si Fallor Sum understands the actions of these striking workers. Mortgages, car payments, continued education for their children. All entered into with the expectation of earning their current wage. Although there was a moment of distraught hilarity (call it the laughing tears) when the interviewed protesters grumbled about having to suffice on a mere $200 a week of strike pay. Almost twice the weekly earnings of Si Fallor. But, that's beside the point and Fallor's done speaking about Miss Ogeny.
Point being, this blossomed into a world view epiphany for Si Fallor Sum. About invisible interconnectedness. For years the economy of the United States thrived, a dominance earned by keeping other nations below. Now the American economy stumbles as China and India grow. Rising up to take a fair share. Workers seek higher wages as gas prices and food costs rise. Businesses seek to slash costs, including labor, in the face of growing materials and shipping costs. Consumers seek out the cheap deals of the big box stores such as Wal-Mart. Not only endangering themselves with unregulated products, but also effectively putting themselves out of work as mentioned above.

Everything boils down to money. Si Fallor Sum has come to realize that the top can only be maintained by keeping somebody underneath. Ms. Erly claims that everyone's fortunes are their own. Goethe declares that luck and merit are one. It's easy to have ours at the cost of the invisible. Si Fallor wonders what we would be willing to give up so that everyone could have. One car family's instead of two. Halve the square footage of your house so that everyone gets a roof over their head. Forget the steaks and eat hot dogs in order to feed the world.

Everything that is had, is at the expense of those who have not