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<b>Melynda, <br><br>
Thanks for the comments - I appreciate your interest in the
dialogue.<br><br>
</b>For the third time, let me reiterate the initial argument. In a
letter to the editor, Antone Holmquist stated that:<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><b><i>Some local economists have
trumpeted the economic mantra of "consumer<br>
choice" and bemoan Moscow's 1 percent annual growth.<br><br>
Basic mathematics, however, reveals that a 1 percent annual growth in
Moscow<br>
would certainly fill every nook and cranny from Moscow Mountain to
Paradise<br>
Ridge and beyond within an average lifetime and such growth is just
frankly<br>
unsustainable worldwide.</i></b></blockquote><br>
His math was flawed and his conclusions were therefore flawed.<br><br>
My response was:<br><br>
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:<br><br>
<b>Population Growth<br><br>
</b><x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>City<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>County<br>
1980
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>16,513<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>28,749<br>
1990
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>18,422<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>31,314<br>
1995
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>20,555<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>33,050<br>
1998
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>21,500<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>32,051<br>
2000
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>21,291<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>34,935<br>
2005<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>21,700<x-tab>
</x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>35,218<br><br>
The average annual growth rate for Moscow is .7%<br>
The average annual growth rate for Latah is .6%<br><br>
If we were fortunate enough to grow by 1% for the next 100 years, the
population for the City and the County would be:<br><br>
City<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>58,695<br>
County<x-tab> </x-tab>95,258<br><br>
If we use the historical growth rate of .7% and .6%, our population in
<b>100 years</b> would be:<br><br>
City
<x-tab> </x-tab><x-tab>
</x-tab>43,592<br>
County<x-tab> </x-tab>64,056<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
<br>
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 <b><i>challenge </i></b>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? <br><br>
<b>As to "quality of life", I am comfortable with my expressed
view on that:<br><br>
</b>Quality of life is a <i>qualitative assessment</i> - 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!). <br><br>
<b>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. <br><br>
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.<br><br>
As to ethics, were you aware of the ethical standards program that
WalMart adopted? If not, here is a brief description<br><br>
</b>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:
<ol>
<li>Respect for the Individual
<li>Service to the Customer
<li>Strive for Excellence
</ol><br>
Mission Statement<br>
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
<a href="http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=11">
Ethics Helpline.</a> <br><br>
Global Ethical Principles<br>
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.
<ol>
<li>Follow the law at all times
<li>Be honest and fair
<li>Never manipulate, misrepresent, abuse or conceal information
<li>Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs
<li>Never discriminate against anyone
<li>Never act unethically – even if someone else instructs you to do so
<li>Never ask someone to act unethically
<li>Seek assistance if you have questions about the Statement of Ethics
or if you face an ethical dilemma
<li>Cooperate with any investigation of a possible ethics violation
<li>Report ethics violations or suspected violations
</ol><b>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.<br><br>
Again, thanks for the thoughtful response.<br><br>
<br><br>
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