Hidden Costs of Cheap
Many things we think are cheap carry serious hidden costs. For example, when the government subsidizes corn-based ethanol and then mandates that same ethanol be added to our gasoline, we don't see the hidden cost in the price of gas at the pump. As ethics have declined in the U.S., hiding costs has become a part of many aspects of life most of us never consider.
Think about this "savings". A major soft drink producer wants to put vending machines at your child's school. In exchange for the "location", the soft drink maker will buy new band equipment for the school. Is this a good deal?
- Now consider the health costs of obesity. What are the long term costs of paying for the insulin of kids who develop diabetes!
- Do you know of a hidden cost? Tell me about it! I'll post it here and credit you (unless you prefer to remain anonymous.
- What does the proverbial dropout cost society? A lot more than the cost of educating him
- What does poor diet, food, served at schools cost us? Retired Boomers want their benefits cut to pay for insulin for an obese generation coming up behind us? Save a few bucks, eliminate PE and watch the Medicare costs sky rocket!
- Move the manufacturing plant to China and save labor cost but don't complain when your neighbor buys a Samsung TV instead of an RCA (there are NO US made TVs) or can't afford a TV because his job was outsourced.
- Demand cheap, shop Wal*Mart and don't complain when every town in your state looks like the last one you passed 20 minutes ago along the interstate. Consider the lost revenue of all the independent businesses that have folded since Wal*Mart came to town.
- Don't waste money on alternative energy now and don't complain when gas hits $5 a gallon tomorrow.