Many Americans have been subjected to the myth which falsely asserts that cheap labor means lower unit-costs of production.
A Note To Readers
An economy is not something created by nature. It is created by human beings. An economy is how we humans organize the creative processes of our minds to transform nature to allow for us to live, to develop and to thrive. That begins with individuals discovering the laws of our universe, and then applying those discoveries to create the tools, the technologies and the social and political organization of society that further facilitates that productive process. Our quote above illustrates the idea that real productivity requires a productive labor force whose skill level must be accompanied by a rising standard of living, educational and cultural level.
Our Feature this week includes two items: First, “Turmoil In the Markets– A Marker for Collapse;” and second, “The Meaning of World-Market Parity Prices for Food.”
This week’s report begins with items on the deep and persisting drought that the Western region of the U.S. continues to experience. I include a second article, following one last week, on what now some are calling the “megadrought” that the Southwest has experienced now for 19 years.
The California Water Wars continue with the first lawsuit filed against the state’s water plan which will, as has been covered frequently in these reports, divert more water from cities and farms.
Then we have the old tactic revived to stop infrastructure projects, this time with a couple of salamanders, to attempt to stop the raising of Shasta Dam.
During the five-year drought the governor used an executive order to impose rationing of water to urban areas. Some areas were told to reduce water consumption by as much as 36 percent, but all by at least 25 percent. There were “unintended consequences” to water districts, including water quality problems and financial impacts.
While wildfires have faded away with the rainy season finally beginning, the aftermath is significant. Four topics are highlighted this week: Damage Assessment, Trump Administration Orders More Logging, What One Utility Proposes, and Criminal Charges for PG&E?
The next section is: “Finance, Retool and Rebuild the U.S. Infrastructure.” That includes one video and one article.
Then the Feature completes this week’s report.
