Re: What's the deal with the Germans?
When's the last time you saw a company advertise its fantastic enviromental track record? <br />
Several times a week I see commercials produced for our branch of Southern Company that mention their efforts to produce fewer emissions. I also know that they are in violation of federal emissions guidelines, and I further know why they are allowed to continue to exceed minimum emissions. It is not because America is evil.<br /><br />I also see commercials for automobiles that state that the engines they are building release something like 75% fewer harmful emissions than engines of 25 years ago. I think it might be a Ford commercial.<br /><br />
SoulWinner wrote: "We are leaders here, not because pantie heads whine and cry about the environment, but because it is good for business. No one would buy products from a producer that was destroying the environment carte blanc."<br /><br />This is absolutely false SW
Ok, so explain why American industry leads the world in cleaning up emissions? As far as companies moving operations to Mexico, who signed NAFTA into law? Furthermore, what is universally accepted as the single biggest financial liability for any business enterprise? Here's a little Business 101 for you, it's payroll. You might me surprised at the effect a layoff can have on an earnings report, and therefore on stock value. Darn those evil American corporations.<br /><br />
Environmental laws aren't good for business, they are bad for business
Tell that to my brother who owns an environmental tech company. Also, in a world were environmental awareness is ever increasing, environmental responsibility is another corporate tool for product differentiation. Industries that produce toxic by-products and gaseous emissions are under scrutiny by all levels of government, as well as environmental groups. It may be hard to believe, but American industry didn't clean it's self up because liberal tree hugging wackos made them. Americans in general would not stand for PCB's damaging wild birds eggs, we wouldn't stand for another Love Canal, et al. Bad press is bad press, and results in lost sales.<br /><br />
Things that make products more expensive, something us consumers hate. How on earth would it be good for business? Consumer good-will? That'd be the only positive a company could exploit, but they don't, because its too expensive and at the end of the day that company is either not proud of their record or they've done the research and shown that consumers don't really care.
Things like emissions improvements are amortized, so you have to calculate in things like sales growth, production improvements and streamlining, so in the end the costs born by the consumer are held in check. Market prices are the result of supply, demand and "market price elasticity." Look it up. Haven't you noticed that consumer prices don't fluctuate as much as profits listed in companies quarterly earning reports?<br /><br />
As far as no one buying products from a producer that was destroying the environment, that is laughable. The world consumer doesn't have the vaguest clue about what a company is doing to the environment for any product that they are looking to purchase.
This may be true for the "world consumer" but not so for the American consumer. We are educated, concerned and environmentally aware. Look, this is a boating web site, so before you go accusing the American consumer of environmentally reckless behavior, look around. We are folks who appreciate the clean water we fish and boat in. We pick up trash when we see it, we don't put monofilament in the lakes and streams, and we love the natural beauty God has provided us.<br /><br />As for the clothes I am wearing, at present I am not wearing anything. Ok, just kidding; but it is a matter of practicality. I make a conscious attempt to purchase American goods whenever and wherever I can. What do you want? If you have a problem with the labor conditions in other countries, remember what conditions were like in the 1870's all along the industrialized NE corridor of the US. And look at how far we progressed. Have faith that these countries that are following in our footsteps will make same great progress.
