Economics Effect on the Natural Balance of Life

Late posts are kind of becoming a thing for my section which I apologize for, but better late then never seems to cover my bases on that. Recently in class we covered the issue in video format of the economic struggle and prosperity of the Jamaican island. This brought my thinking to a level of economics and the effects it has on the physical and mental well being of the inhabitants. The thought is that importing and exporting is how many countries turn a profit for their cash crops and specialty commodities. Consider the clothing that many of us wear, along with a great portion of the goods that we use, many of them have a tag that reads "made in China", or "made in Taiwan". Now imagine the amount of other countries that use the wholesale value of the production of goods made in countries like those, then just take it all away. This would mean that all goods purchased in the country would be made from within the boundaries of said country, the cost of production to consumer would be around the same. Cost effectivity would plummet and many economies would struggle to stay afloat as the range of production to retail cost would not be as broad, meaning that the profit margin would be dramatically reduced causing stocks and abridge the gap between wealthy and well off. In Jamaica the production of American goods which technically never touchs ground on Jamaican soil and are produced in the "free zone" manufactured for minimal pay. The workers will make around $1,500 Jamaican dollars per paycheck, which is the equivalent of $30 U.S. dollars. The range of exchange for the compensation of work brings costs for the U.S. goods down while the average price of these is 60-70% more than what it took to produce them, leaving a giant profit margin for the company that has their brand written on them. How does this effect those who are actually making these goods and getting paid dirt for it? Whether men or woman it seems that the knowledge that all of those long days comprised of hard work and long hours, is going towards barley paying the bills as is can cause much stress to build up inside of someone. For instance my job pays well but nearing the end of a paycheck, I start to have tidbits of stress due to the fact I do not know how to spread the money to fit it all. Bills, Gas, food, and other daily necessities must come first. The question is which one needs to be given the most attention and safety. Now add a family to that equation and life has just sprouted horns and started to laugh in your face it seems.

The economic welfare of many major countries has seemed to compromise the import and export of others, and when the number one option becomes obsolete then tourists will pay the bills. We discussed the happy nature that many residents of Caribbean countries have as shown in commercials and such, yet most locals in these resort areas will warn you to not leave the resort area un-supervised as it is very dangerous for tourists to venture as they are either not well accepted by the locals, or are seen as easy targets for theft. When I went to Cabo for spring break last year, my friends and I got off the flight and while on the shuttle to the resort we were told that the locals do not take kindly to our kind as we Americans are viewed as very pompous and self-centered in demeanor. As well as pictured as over privileged "gringo" rich people. The exchange rates in this country are usually very high favoring the U.S. currency. meaning many who seem to make a decent wage in their nations currency are making less than the minimum wage here state side.