[Vision2020] Dispel the anti-growth myth

[Jeff Harkins]

Oh BJ,

You're fishing for a response huh.

My record on advocating economic development for Moscow through 
exports is well established.  But unlike you, so is my record on free markets.

The Chinese have every right to compete with us.  Fortunately, the US 
government (and many of our trading partners) have used "market 
access" to begin to address Chinese human rights issues, pollution 
and a host of other problems). From what I am seeing with Chinese 
students in the classroom, that policy is having significant 
effect.  And so, they are becoming a part of the world stage.  They 
are hosting international golf tournaments, world class events (FIFA 
soccer) and so forth - .  But why would you target only China.  There 
are a lot of low cost producers out there in the world and many of 
them are causing the transfer of jobs to their country.  Many US 
firms have moved their production facilities to Mexico.  Would you 
ban them as well?

WalMart is a US based corporation.  You want to control them - and 
let's suppose you do.  Who's next?  What US company would you target 
next?  What country of origin is next on your list?  Where does it 
end for you?

And WalMart and any other store or business has the right to purchase 
Chinese goods for sale in the US.  You might want to walk around the 
retail stores in Moscow and look to see how many of them carry goods 
imported from China as well as other foreign imports.  Why don't you 
use your powers of persuasion to convince those stores to carry only 
products that you believe they should carry.

Protectionism simply doesn't work.  The correct path is competition - 
level playing field or not, I bet on the talents of US businesses, US 
education and US employees.

Oh - I have not observed anyone making a claim that the "dark store 
ordinance" was involved.  The only reference was to a "dark 
store"  which I think everyone will recognize - it was dark.

At 12:20 AM 10/30/2007, you wrote:
>It's always amazing to hear the same people who want a Wal-Mart Super Store
>also say that Moscow should
>
>  "...attract businesses that produce goods and/or services for export and
>pay good wages."
>
>Do they not understand that Wal-Mart's practice of importing most goods from
>China has resulted in the loss of 4 million+ manufacturing jobs in the US?
>
>Also, for those who think the Dark Store Ordinance is so bad, the old
>Tidyman's is not big enough to be considered a Dark Store.
>
>B. J. Swanson
>
>
>
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