In the article posted on the New York Times, “The
Hypocrisy of Helping the Poor” by Paul Theroux reveals the facade of CEO’s
helping the poor, when in reality they are usually the reason behind poverty.
Paul Theroux is writing mainly to middle-class Americans, but his intention is
to make the entire Nation aware and for everyone (especially wealthy CEO’s) to
begin demonstrating more accountability and responsibility towards this crisis
that threatens our country. Paul
Theroux, is an established American novelist, critic, traveler and writer.
Theroux discusses how American investment in China has
solved their poverty crisis, because of American corporations relocating jobs from
the United States. We are in turn trading with places like China our success
for their poverty (except for the few American CEO’s and corporations who
benefit). Then for public image, CEO’s, donate to charity as a ploy to cover how
they are the cause behind growing mass poverty in the States. “When Mr. Cook of
Apple said he was going to hand over his entire fortune to charity, he was
greatly praised by most people, but not [Theroux].” I have to agree with him; infrequent
sums money no matter how large does not solve poverty. However a structured,
financially stable plan does.
Visiting the Deep South, Theroux, recollects what
predominantly stayed with him from his visit: “the sight of shutdown factories
and towns with their hearts torn out of them, and few jobs.” During his visit he
takes in account the true damage done.
From his personal experience
and research into this crisis he fills the article with very revealing information
and opinions. An opinion he shares is quite notable, “To me, globalization is
the search for a new plantation, and cheaper labor; globalization means that,
by outsourcing, it is possible to impoverish an American community to…where it
is indistinguishable…[from] a third world country.”
The article makes substantial claims and provides frightening
evidence of how big business through globalization embarks on pursuing massive
profits by vicariously draining communities to desolation, instead of
prioritizing sustainability in global and domestic economies. Theroux is right
and I agree with him completely. If we are to level out from our decline as a
nation we need to bring back industry to us.
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