"Today we still have slave traders. They no longer find it necessary to march into Africa looking for prime specimens who will bring top dollar on the auction blocks of Charleston, Cartagena, and Havana. They simply recruit desperate people and build a factory to produce the jackets, blue jeans, tennis shoes, automobile parts, computer components and thousands of other items they can sell in the markets of their choosing. Or they may elect to not even own the factory themselves; instead they hire a local businessman to do all their dirty work for them." page 212 Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
In light of the recent collapse of the garment factory in Bangladesh with over 1,000 garment workers, mostly women, killed and our realization that so many of our "goods" are produced off shore, this is a book you need to read.
"We live in a time of terrible crisis - and tremendous opportunity. The story of this particular economic hit man is the story of how we got to where we are and why we currently face crises that seems insurmountable. This story must be told because only by understanding our past mistakes will we be able to take advantage of future opportunities................" pg 258
Hope you get a chance to read the book. It's informative, riveting and full of documented historical accounts. You won't be able to put it down.
Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi Art,
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the book.
I've read it twice - an easy read.
For me it is a history lesson of the events since the end of WWII and even some events before.
US president Eisenhower's prohecy when he left office: "beware of the military industrial complex", rings true.
Unfortunately, I think it will take many more people to read the book, to influence the politics of all countries to create a better world to live in - both environmentally and socially.
...Don