A Response to: If a company uses a foreign supplier with cheap labor that still produces a good product is that bad ethics or good business?

It is not unethical under certain circumstances if a U.S based company chooses to buy its products from a foreign supplier that uses cheap labors. For instance, why will a company want to pay $20 per hour to a U.S based labor for producing the same product that a labor right across the border or in another trade pact country could produce for $ 5 per hour? You do the math. Though we must also consider transportation and other associated cost involved for transporting the goods, it is cost effective to produce or buy the good from overseas.

If the supplier is not using child labor to produce its goods and if they are compensating their employees well based on the nation’s pay scales and is also obeying international human right laws, it is not unethical. However, if the supplier is violating human rights law, it is unethical because it against the core-values of the American society.

To stay competitive in today’s global market, a company will have to make use of those opportunities in order to compete with its competitors or else it will go bankrupt. Will you as a manager pay a higher price to a U.S. based supplier for the same quality goods that you can purchase from overseas for an affordable price? Good luck with that… because your competitors are possibly buying from an overseas market and giving their customers an affordable price on goods that you will be selling for a higher price.

Today’s educated consumers will rather buy from a company that provides quality and affordable price then buy the same items from a company that sells it for a higher cost. You will end up with a 90% discount to get those high price goods out of your warehouse.

Businesses are able to provide customers with lower cost if their overhead cost is reduced. No businesses with a high overhead cost can provide goods to customers for a cheaper cost…good luck with their bottom line if they did.

Over all, my point is not for businesses to exploit its customers or be unpatriotic, but they should make use of opportunities such as buying from foreign suppliers in order to stay competitive and provide reasonable price for consumers.

As the 2011 Presidential Election Progresses in Liberia

As all Liberians get ready for the upcoming general election, I would like to encourage everyone that is eligible, especially my fellow youths, to vote to make the right and God fearing choice to vote for an individual that loves our nation not because of its wealth, but for the good of its people and the nation in general. I encourage all Liberians to look back just 6 years ago and reflect on what happened in June, July and August of that year. After that, pause and think a moment about the following questions for the presidential candidate you wish to vote for: What had he or she done to help our nation before? Did she/he stay in the country to support the current elected government or help support education or other community programs to help Liberians after losing the previous election? What are her/his post-election plans if he/she loses? Who are his team members? Are they accountable, transparent, and have a past corruption free record—not necessarily government job record?

Most importantly, carefully read and reflect on her/his platform (outlined plans for the nation). What economics, social, health and environmental and educational impact it will have on the nation in six years? What are her/his financial and leadership capabilities?—or does she/he wants to become president in order to build his/her own wealth? The power is all yours to make the smart choice that will move our nation forward.

To my fellow youths that are eligible to vote, this is the time to change your future. Please do not base your judgments on popularity and false rhetoric. Think twice before you vote because whatever choice you make in October will affect your future for six years or in years to come. God bless Mama Liberia and the rest of the world.

LOOKING BACK AT 2010: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR ME

As we enter the New Year, I would like to thank God first for all his blessings and kindnesses upon my life. HE is my light and salvation. It is because of Him I have come this far by faith...and I am thankful that He stood by me at all times. 2010 was truely another great year of my life and studies in Texas,USA.

I would like to thank the Orchard's family (sponsor family---Dave, Marie and chidren, aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews) for their support toward to my stay and education in the United States. This is my third year living you and I am delighted as always to be part of this wonderful and loving family.

I also want to thank these special families,who are Dave and Marie friends, for their support. They are: the Johnson's family(Laurie and Rick), the Sutton's (Mark and Gail), the Wilkins' (Bonnie and Jim), the Keddy's (Peggy and Charlie), the Schnieder's (Kay and George)and the Lozano's (Patti and Alberto), the Powells' (Cecilia and Ernest)and other Deer Field neigbors. I have achieved great things because of your help.

Also, I would like to say a special thank you to my family in Liberia, my mom, dad, brothers and sisters and relatives for their prayers and words of encouragement. Hope they are having a wonderful holidays.

This year would not have been another great year for me without the above mentioned people prayer, educational and financial support. I would not have achieved the following this year without you. Thank you for being there for me...as always.

• Graduated from Lone Star College -CyFair in May with an associate degree and two professional certificates in Logistics Management;

• Graduated from the Lone Star College System Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI) in April with a Leadership Certificate;

• Recognized by NASA in May for the second time for participating in a project that is currently up in space at the International Space Station;

• Went to nationals in Surprise, Arizona in April for the second time and won the National Copper Division Tennis Championship Title with my college tennis team;

• Worked as a Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) leader on campus (as a way to give back some of my time and talents) and helped orient 2200 new students in the summer and approximately another 120 in the fall;

• Received the Lone Star College-CyFair Outstanding Club Member of the Year Award

• Inducted as Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society member;

• Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Soldier, Speical Olympics Clinic, Adopt-an-Angel project, Helped collect gift items and donation for St. Dominic Home Retired Priests, and ran in the 2010Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure;

• Won my fifth singles championship titles at Lone Star College-CyFair Fall Invitational Tennis Tourney in November

• Served as president for the Catholic Student Union (CSU) and president for the Supply Chain Industry and Distribution Organization (SIDO) on campus;

• Have one more class at CyFair to obtain a second degree in associate of arts (AA), which I hope to complete in the summer;

• Finally, ended this fall semester with a 3.7 GPA (semester) and an accumulative GPA of 3.56 and 111 college credits.

I am proud of all my achievements this year.I am also very excited to start another college life at the University of Houston in January.

I wish you and your family a God filling New Year. Once again, thank you for your help.

2011 Resolution:

My primary resolutions this year are to continue to pray for world peace, love and humanity for places that are still undergoing internal and external instabilities.

SEE MY 2010 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY DAYS AT LSC-CYFAIR AND OTHER RECENT PHOTOS ( at nationals and state tournaments, with family, at community service projects and at professional development events).