[Vision2020] RE: Unstable, Doomed, Missed Points

[Jeff Harkins]

Melynda,

Thanks for the comments - I appreciate your interest in the dialogue.

For the third time, let me reiterate the initial 
argument.  In a letter to the editor, Antone Holmquist stated that:

>Some local economists have trumpeted the economic mantra of "consumer
>choice" and bemoan Moscow's 1 percent annual growth.
>
>Basic mathematics, however, reveals that a 1 percent annual growth in Moscow
>would certainly fill every nook and cranny from Moscow Mountain to Paradise
>Ridge and beyond within an average lifetime and such growth is just frankly
>unsustainable worldwide.

His math was flawed and his conclusions were therefore flawed.

My response was:

Basic mathematics implies a result quite 
different from the conclusion reached by Mr. 
Holmquist.  According to the Moscow Chamber of 
Commerce, the population demographics for Latah County and Moscow are:

Population Growth

                 City            County
1980            16,513          28,749
1990            18,422          31,314
1995            20,555          33,050
1998            21,500          32,051
2000            21,291          34,935
2005            21,700          35,218

The average annual growth rate for Moscow is .7%
The average annual growth rate for Latah is .6%

If we were fortunate enough to grow by 1% for the 
next 100 years, the population for the City and the County would be:

City            58,695
County  95,258

If we use the historical growth rate of .7% and 
.6%, our population in 100 years would be:

City            43,592
County  64,056

It just seems irresponsible to argue that if our 
population doubles in the next 100 years, that we 
are doomed here. The fact is, if we maintain our 
current growth rate, we are faced with the 
challenge of finding homes for about 350 folks 
(say about 150 families) each year for the 
foreseeable future.  Of course, about a third of 
those would presumably settle in the rural towns 
of the County.  Some are arguing that finding 
homes for about 100 or so families each year in Moscow is "too much" growth?

As to "quality of life", I am comfortable with my expressed view on that:

Quality of life is a qualitative assessment - and 
only measurable at the individual personal 
utility level. It is virtually impossible to 
compare, in any meaningful way, the utility of 
one person's "quality of life" with that of 
another person (e.g., I am always happier than you!).

I agree with you that a perplexing part of the 
dialogue is the divide between the quantitative 
and the qualitative. But I do not agree that 
methodology is our chasm - but ideology.  I do 
not accept the notion that it is appropriate for 
a small group of people to impose or define the 
standards of living and quality of life for me or 
anyone else. Just as this approach has always 
failed to achieve an optimal much less a 
satisficing state, it shall continue to fail.

Rather than feed a hungry person once, I would 
rather teach them to feed themselves.  When I 
observe the economic system in action, I never 
cease to be amazed at how effective it is.  In 
just two decades, capitalism is transforming the 
Chinese culture. If you look at the "standard of 
living" in China just 20 years ago and compare it 
to today, you will find a remarkable change.  I 
see it every day when I work face to face with 
young Chinese students in classes at UI.  And, 
while several companies and politicians can take 
responsibility for bringing capitalism to China, 
WalMart has been a leader - maybe they haven't 
done as much as you would like or the way you 
would have done it, but the fact is, they have 
been a leader.  And through their persuasive 
techniques with suppliers it is important to 
recognize that they have improved the working 
conditions for the Chinese employee.  And given 
what the Chinese studying here in the US are 
taking from us and introducing in their country, 
they stand to be a formidable competitor.

As to ethics, were you aware of the ethical 
standards program that WalMart adopted?  If not, here is a brief description

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has always been a 
values-based, ethically led company. The values 
guiding our decisions and leadership are the 3 
basic beliefs established by our founder, Sam Walton, in 1962:
    * Respect for the Individual
    * Service to the Customer
    * Strive for Excellence

Mission Statement
The mission of the Global Ethics Office is to 
promote Wal-Mart's ethical culture globally. The 
Global Ethics Office was established on June 1, 
2004. On June 4, 2004 Wal-Mart released a revised 
Global Statement of Ethics to communicate our 
ethical standards to all Wal-Mart facilities and 
stakeholders. The Global Ethics Office provides 
guidance in making ethical decisions based on the 
Global Statement of Ethics and a process for 
anonymous reporting of suspected ethics violation 
by calling the 
<http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=11>Ethics 
Helpline.

Global Ethical Principles
Wal-Mart's Guiding Ethical Principles were added 
to the revised Global Statement of Ethics on June 
4, 2004. These principles are designed to assist 
our Associates and Suppliers with making the 
right decision and doing the right thing.
    * Follow the law at all times
    * Be honest and fair
    * Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information
    * Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs
    * Never discriminate against anyone
    * Never act unethically – even if someone else instructs you to do so
    * Never ask someone to act unethically
    * Seek assistance if you have questions about 
the Statement of Ethics or if you face an ethical dilemma
    * Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics violation
    * Report ethics violations or suspected violations
Granted, this "global policy" is a relatively new 
version, built from their earlier ethics 
program.  And it will be interesting to see how 
it plays out over time.  It is being imposed on 
all suppliers.  Of course, the skeptical will 
simply argue that WM is just creating a false 
front.  That may be true, but if it turns out to 
be a spurious effort, I have every confidence that such effort will be exposed.

Again, thanks for the thoughtful response.



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