real estate spruking on the news, page-27

"Western counties have never been able to match the cheap labor, poor conditions and hence low manufacturing costs of the third world."

They certainly have, Dave. England during the Industrial Revolution and before the plague are examples.

"Wages vary by a thousand percent"

Try at least 10,000% Dave. Nations like the Philippines and India are essentially feudal realms. Giving the people of these nations a good living standard of living is essential in order to protect the living standards of people here and elsewhere in the world. The problem is that the feudal lords dont wish to give up their serfs, which leaves any change to the fickle whims of war, disease and famine.

Billy