Hi Webby,

Free market reforms are the boogyman here. Take the Power Industry reform Act. It sought to privatize the state monopoly on power and sure enough a shadowy entity with mystery owners sought to take the transmission corporation off the government's hands as the SOLE BIDDER in a murky transaction. Some senators are saying that this is just another ploy to keep power transmission monopolized and centralized in the same hands that keep power rates in Manila the second highest rates in Asia (next to Tokyo!).

Many of the people that complain against economic liberalization are the cement producers, flour millers, car assemblers, and other corporate entities that survive only because of high tarrifs. Almost all are extremely inefficient and are MORE EXPENSIVE than their import competitors (even after slapping on the tarriff!). Of course, to abolish these tarriffs would "destroy" local "industries". Are these really industries? I define industry as some enterprise that survives because of market dynamics not because of market distortions imposed by government fiat and protectionism.

Indeed, in the CONSTITUTION of the Philippines, foreign ownership and participation in certain parts of the economy are severely restricted. End result: monopolistic practices, high prices, crappy selection, and stunted economic growth.

BUT THERE'S A SOLUTION...... read below

That's one of the dillemmas facing Filipinos--constantly eroding purchasing power. This only gets worse because of the protectionist economy. The Philippines could do well learning from when it deregulated FIRE INSURANCE in 1997. Before 1997 there were only a handful of big family-owned fire insurance companies. Prices were ridiculously high. Not too many people could afford such policies. Claims were problematically and crappilly settled and adjusted. After 1997, due to government pressure, the insurance companies were free to set their own rates. Moreover, foreign companies can come in to set up shop. Now in 2006, there's MANY fire insurance providers, prices have shot downwards, there's TONS of differing packages to choose from, people who used to NOT buy fire insurance now customarily buy it since it's so cheap, and the companies make more money cuz of volume. PLUS, claims adjustment is quicker and more satisfactory because if one company bungles your claim they are under pressure that you might switch to their competitor. Indeed, Fire insurance is one of the FEW things that is cheaper now in the Philippines than 20 years ago. Everything else...food, fuel, land, you name it, is more expensive.

I am not saying that Capitalism fixes everything BUT..... it sure is better than a closed MONOPOLIST system that benefits only a few and erodes and punishes the purchasing power of the majority for the benefit of a minority.

What do you think?

Hola $5

Your solution (fire insurance) probably says it all. Generally monopolies are better dismantled - they rarely serve anyone other than their owners, and often these "owners" are involved, of have been involved, in governments and managed to swing some deals their way. There are classic examples of that in Latin America - and even when the individuals have arrest warrants out, - they still collect the proceeds from their corrupt deals while on the "chat circuit" with other world leaders.

On a conventional shareholding corp - it's probably equally as bad when they become monopolies, tho can vary. Example.. although we may all moan at Mr Gates and Microsoft, - that was the first corp to establish a "common standard" in operating systems. Up to that time, it was a mish-mash of OS's. (Wether any of the other OS's may have been better as a standard, is another story.)

The flip side is several drug companies ("legalized drugs") who act as tho they are street pushers and dispense solutions for almost every ailment at a grossly inflated price and never actually address any "cure". It's more profitable to avoid going into the "cure business". They earn more out of dealing than drug cartels.

Then there's the ugly side to monopolies - usually with a degree of corruption involved. Example is in South America where the govt sold out water rights to a California-based corp and where the population generally could not afford to pay the ripoff cost of water and started collecting rainwater till there were claims that that also, was chargeable :) (They were booted out in the end)

One stage upwards from that is, (and where there are dangers of "free trade") is that governments (of other countries) become the monopoly in a nation. Example being... purchasing the utility services and infrastructure of other countries - soley with a view to a mass ripoff and price increases. That is fairly common in Africa with the US govt and US corps as the "faces".

Overall.. yes, would agree it's vastly superior to open up trading. On average, the benefits exceed all else. At the same time there prob needs to be caution in that having eg six "baby Bells" in total control of a nations telecom system can be abused.

"Free trade" prob also does not mean one-sided trading :-) The idea is all parties benefit. There is a long track record of this being otherwise with some nations and this is where distrust may set in.

In Costa Rica there are moves to dismantle the main utility services from the hands of the government monopoly. They may have served their purpose well initially, but are now totally inefficient, tho prob not excessive in billing.

As a side comment - more amusing than anything else, - the govt here also has a "monopoly" on some local brew. The current President wondered why the government was in the brewing business - so that's another monopoly sipping the last drop out of the glass :)

From what you said, it does sound like the Philippines is not unlike Latin America and change is inevitable. It is prob also important to have a range of trading partners and not rely on one or two nations.

How is "Imelda The Shoe Lady"? She still in the Philippines or living a life of luxury in a safe haven? :) She always reminds me of some past leaders in Latin America - tho the only difference between them and other past leaders is they are more transparent in their corruption :winkwink:

She's still alive and kicking and still in the political scene as congresswoman from Leyte (although her daughter Imee is more active politically). This is an object lesson in provincial politics. Each provincial region has their dynastic family clans that they routinely send to the national government irrespective of history. Definitely another piece to the puzzle that is Phlippine politics--entreneched dynasties, entrenched political thinking, closed political and economic systems, steadily eroding purchasing power and consumer confidence. Anyway, I'd write more but I'd rather focus on change I can control--my ability to create jobs and contribute to the economy/social progress that way. I create change through the only person I can truly control....myself. With that thought.... I'm out of this thread.:thumbsup

hehe.. and the dynasty continues :winkwink: :thumbsup

Yet again I agree.

love thy neighbor doesn't just mean the neighbor in your own country..that is my take on it

Bill Gates started a trend it seems.

12 clicks, he can probably HELP millions of kids lifes become better in the 3rd world... it won't commercialize it, but at least it can stop empdemies, put food on the table for a lot more people then he could help in the US.

Who's that? Any relation to Jimmy Buffett?

I think there's a lot of integrity in his decision to donate that much money. It's a staggering amount. The third world needs a societal change before throwing money at it works though, currently it just ends up in the pockets of dictators. But that much money into disease research would be quite amazing, progress, equipment, new labs... wow. I say props to the guy for it.

Never agree with 12clicks he is ALWAYS wrong. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ALREADY have donated 2.6 BILLION to schools in the United States. They by no means are limiting their philanthropy to the third world.

And yes you're normally right about throwing money to the third world, but the whole point of the Foundation is to bring accountability and western style accounting and self-sufficiency to the aid effort.

Listen Gates is way too smart to fall for the run of the mill third world effort. They're demanding accountability and a measurable return on investment. This is why Buffett is donating this amount of money, he KNOWS it will be used responsibly to do the most potential good.

Quoted for truth. :thumbsup

Whats your contribution? He is giving away 95% of his money.

Eh?:winkwink: 12Shit's contribution to global enhancement is 500,000 copies of free scumware deposited onto PC's across the planet.

Learned an interesting tidbit this morning: He's also giving about $3 billion to his late wife's, Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation - an abortion rights group in the US.

And after reading a bit more about the BMGF, it does seem they approach charity in a different manner than just dumping money off in different places; they take the time and effort to put their backing behind measurable and attainable goals. So instead of just giving money to other charities, for example, they actively invest large sums of money for R&D to invent vaccines that can then be cheaply reproduced, requires little to no refrigeration and can save millions of lives. Pretty respectable, if you ask me.

A worthy cause?

I say free breast augmentation surgery for all women everywhere. This is the kind of social welfare I could "support".

this is incredible!

imagine the conversations that could take place on the board without the likes of webby, joe citizen, and directfiesta.

A few weeks ago, Bill Gates announced that he was retiring from the day to day operations at Microsoft to run his charities. Now we know why! Just imangine the two most successful and richest men in the world pooling their efforts? Can you imangine a charity run like a BUSINESS? Wow - what a concept. And these people don't need to skim money off to live like kings...they already do, if they want.

This is truly a legacy and an unselfish act by Buffet. Instead of leaving all his money to various charties in his own name to be a legend, he leaves it to someone accountable, who he trusts will run it like it should be run after he is gone.

Looks like very ambitious goals & not all 3rd world, and with enough money to at least make a dent.

"fighting such diseases as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis -- and on improving U.S. libraries and high schools."

Sure can ....

Would look like Mississipi in the 60's with the KKK ....

and then you wonder why third world says the same about America :winkwink:

Buffet is a rich man I doubt he would expect you or anyone else below his position to understand the choices he makes

the Bill and Melinda gates foundation has 100's of programs they sponsor throughtout the U.S. and abroad. Being that he is a real buisness man he knew that to scale up his on charitable orginazation would not be as smart as giving the money to an existing orginazation with a proven track record and headed up by some of the smartest people in the world

again he wouldnt expect anyone beneath his intelectual level to understand such things and I am sure there have been plenty critics ( mostly republicans)

hopefully his example will influence other rich people and drive the reality of mortality home

you cant take it with you


:thumbsup to Mr Buffet

whats to say it wont work now...?

look at south korea!!! :1orglaugh . prime example of how americas help has completely changed a 3rd world country into an up and coming economic cash cow.

hmmmm, what an odd statement. you go to great lengths to explain that I'm not at his intellectual level because of all he's accomplished yet somehow, any surfer, post whore, or TGP submitter should somehow be on equal footing with me because after all, what I've accomplished doesn't count.:1orglaugh
I get it.

We old folks think alike. :thumbsup

ok, now take warren's money (a sum far less than our investment in south korea) spread it around several third world countries, and explain how it will change anything.

yes, for the calander year he gives it, some kids will live. So they die a year later. not money well spent imo.

im sorry I have no clue what you are talking about:helpme

maybe I missed something because I didnt know this thread had anything to do with your footing or surfers or even TGP's

please clarify as you have completely confused me

ok, how's this?
Just as warren shouldn't expect me to understand him because of his superior intellect (as shown by his accomplishments) we shouldn't expect you to understand what I'm saying because of your inferior intellect (again, as shown by my accomplishments)

much like other democrats.:1orglaugh

wow:error

intelectualy I am more then likely inferior to millions of people on this planet

you could never be one of them

in fact I would go so far as to say that judging by your opinions statements and positions you are most likely around the lower rungs of the intelligence ladder.

not the greatest but indeed an acomplishment nonetheless cheers to you :thumbsup

fantasy land is a wonderful place.
sucks when you get a dose of reality, eh?:1orglaugh

The guy needs to take all him money and revamp the school system.

again no clue what you are talking about:upsidedow

maybe someone following this thread can point out and translate the part where you made sense

as it stand now I am sure most of us are wondering if you are on some sort of meds or not

in any case im done with you as I have said before I refuse to do a battle of wits with an unarmed man

carry on kiddie show daddy you know how to work the keyboard:)

Surely you didn't expect anything else from a spyware and scumware pusher? :1orglaugh

sucks being slapped down, eh picture taker?
you can avoid that by quoting someone else when you want to make your idiot posts.:1orglaugh

that one month punishment with no internet you mom laid on you is over, a dick pack?:1orglaugh

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

this is crazy I still have no clue what you are talkin about

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh WOW

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

You pull on the string, and random one sentence spurts comes out, just like with this Bugs Bunny doll :

http://members.aol.com/rx4dolls1/bugs.jpg
http://members.aol.com/rx4dolls1/bugs2.jpg

Notice the ring, 12Shits , then go look in the mirror ... I am sure you have one of those ....

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

that was evident when you made your first post in this thread.
you really should stick with the "would you hit it" threads.

hmmm I actualy have never posted in a would you hit i thread:1orglaugh :1orglaugh

still no clue what you are talking about

are you slightly deranged??? just a tad retarded??? Some type of drug adict??

something is definitely wrong with you and I can see it in every post:Oh crap

im sorry for you and seriously

REALLY being serious here

if there is something I can do to help you ( seriously) please feel free to ask

I am sorry for my other post I wish I could edit them but your pain was not obvious to me at the time

please accept my apology I would never intentionaly make fun of someone in your situation

may your god bless your soul you poor little guy

:Oh crap now I feel bad

I should have caught on to your plight right away

good luck....ok

yet you prattle on.
keep chirping little bird.:1orglaugh

I see something is missing in you men, and that is "Love" in every people in the world. Maybe no one helps you that is why you are like that. sorry

Im happy to hear and read people like Mr.Buffet is still helping other people around the World specially on Thrird world countries.

God Bless you!! Mr. Warren Buffet :thumbsup


"To all you cant bring all your money to the grave!"

.................................................. .................................................. .

wise words! I agree. :thumbsup

I would actually say that free trade and property rights alone would be sufficient. Business and education will then appear on their own.

Why don't you read their website? They've already spent 2 billion on US high schools.

They're actually spending a lot of money researching the diseases instead of just handing out the money to foreign governments. They are using business style methods of accountability.

i wonder how much Bill soaks out of his foundation just for being the president of it. i bet his personal lifestyle bills are off the hook expensive. something has to pay for that. i trust all of about NO charitable foundations.

p.s. i used to live in washington state. and i dont know a single fucking person one whose life has been touched by bill and his 'generousity' giving computer pre-installed with windows to little kids is not good for the community folks. its good for old bills pockets.

Paul allen on the other hand... he does a lot of shit for local communities. he paid a quarter million to put a softball diamond in my hometown. 4 of them actually. he also was a major funder for the experience music project in seattle. at least his givings are measurable. unlike bill's.

Tuff. It's his money and your opinion doesn't matter.

I think you're utterly wrong anyway... Do you give a dying cancer victim a glass of water, and say "can I get you anything else?", or do you just say "ah fuck him, he's gonna die anyway"...

?

The help that money would give may not affect long term, but it could ease the lives of SO many people that will NEVER get help...

In the western world, everyone has a chance for help... already.

Don't know of Paul Allen, but sure folks appreciate what he may have done.

However, when talking of "charity" (that could also be defined as investment), the comparisons between the disadvantage of having a local softball diamond and people who will be dead thru starvation by tomorrow, is a little out of context.

The perspective between real need, disease and starvation and comparing that to computers, softball areas and music projects in the US is too absurd and shows a complete non-understanding of any hardship.

There is no comparison between the US or any other northern hemisphere western country and nations with severe hardship. They all have a life of pampered luxury and totally spoilt in comparison.

Well here's ~100 million right here he's donated for education in Washington state

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Educa...nounce-173.htm

why don't you stay on the porch with the other puppies?:winkwink:
I listened to the Buffet news conference. What I heard was from the guys mouth. what you read on Gate's website could be two months old and certainly doesn't have what Buffet said on it.

how many more morons will post in this thread "your opinion doesn't matter" and then proceed to give their own opinion in the very next sentence? :1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh