The American Consumer: Constantly Screwn

I, of course didn't realize the extent of it until I moved overseas (specifically to an Asian country). American consumers are not enjoying the fruits of free trade. Sans regulations, American corporations conspire to keep prices as high as possible.

Here are a few examples:

1. Cheap Chinese stuff (Walmart et al)... These companies keep the prices on these cheap goods that are coming out of China and India heavily inflated. As an average, these types of items are typically 1/3 of the price they are in the States. For example, a cheap price for a cheap t-shirt in the States would be something like 7-12$. Here it would be 1-3$

2. Get the cheap goods out. When large corporations sign contracts with computer suppliers, they often agree to leasing the equipment or replacement deals. Where do these machines go when used? They come to the Asian market to prevent a cheap alternative to buying new in the states. I can walk into any used computer store here and pick up a used pentium 4 for under $100. A laptop goes for just under $200. Keep in mind this is top of the line branded stuff, not cheap knockoffs that you buy cheaply in the states onsale at Best Buy.

3. Drugs. For example take the birth control prescription drug Yasmin. Online I just found this listed to $99 http://www.betterpills.com/yasmin_oral_contraceptive.htm . The price here is $12-15. This is not because there is a gov. health plan. The UAE is currently completely free market. They are only now talking about going to national healthcare scheme. The same price gulf can be found with most drugs. Anti-biotics and other items that are generic can be had extra cheap (just a few dollars).

Oh, and another little thing about the drugs. We operate under the European idea of pharmacy. For most drugs, NO PRESCRIPTION is necessary. There are some controlled drugs, but it is a relatively short list. So, for something simple like a throat infection, or ear infection you can go to the pharmacy and get the drugs you need without spending $$$ for 2 minutes of your doctor's time. Why don't we talk about ending doctors' monopoly over drugs in the US. The savings would be in the billions of $$$ for insurers and medicare. You could even use the savings to provide a drug payment plan... LOL


As long as we accept corporate status quo in the US the American consumer is screwn. It's time to wake up and throw the money changers out of the temple!


I would like to hear other insight and opinion about the ongoing gang rape of America by the corporations.

Jennifer Government by Max Berry? it's kind of a factious glimpse at what is unnervingly possible. In the future corporations run the world. Employees take on the last name of the company they work for (hence Jennifer "Government") and the cooperation between them is what keeps the world spinning. http://www.nationstates.net/

and it is not far off the truth