Rachel Maddow: Slavery still has defenders?
Sure, that sounds like an inflammatory headline. Hell, it is an inflammatory headline! It just happens to be true. Unfortunately, this information comes from a subscription-only newsletter, Inside U.S. Trade, so I can’t link you to a primary source. We are stuck taking the word of David Sirota and Rachel Maddow, unless one of my intrepid readers happens to have a copy laying around and wants to scan it for me. Here is the quote from Sirota’s post (link below is to his post, as well):
Business groups are worried by the potential effects of provisions banning the import of all goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or forced or indentured child labor that were included in a customs bill sponsored by Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA)…
These groups are examining the ramifications of the bill’s provisions, especially in light of the bill’s requirements that a newly created office in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) annually report to Congress on the volume and value of goods made with child labor, forced labor or convict labor that have been stopped at the border.
Business sources say this reporting requirement could cause DHS to more actively seek out imported products made with child labor, forced labor or convict labor…
One source did expect a push from lobbyists closer to the Finance Committee markup of the bill, and speculated that U.S. industry groups and foreign governments could form ad hoc coalitions to help send a united message.Inside U.S. Trade
When someone tries to convince you that a corporation is a fine citizen, just like you and me, call bullshit! and look to mantra #2 to your right. A corporation has one duty and that is to profit. This is a fine example of that singular profit motive coming into conflict with widely held social mores about child slavery, indentured servitude and the like. When these social norms come into conflict with the cold, hard profit motive, they are flicked off like fleas.
Many of you may disagree with this. All I ask is that you provide me with one example of a corporation voluntarily choosing to harm its shareholders for the greater good of society. Human beings “take one for the team” all the time. Corporations never do.