Post from Bali

Sitting on the lounge chair at the resort we're staying at in bali.   

Being here in bali, or any other society that has not organically seen society progress in the western way, but rather just been affected by it, always stirrs up conflict within me.  

Fundamentally it doesn't seem right to me.  That we should be so lucky as to have not only the day to day luxuries we do, but to also have a destination we can go to, that amplifies the value of our western currency, all the while the locals here live below a level we would call poverty.  Not all of them of course, but so many.

It's almost like our generation's version of slavery.  "we cant pay people less than minimum wage domestically, but we can always go somewhere people are willing to work for cheaper." 

I could probably write all day about this and still not have a clearer understanding about where i REALLY stand on the subject.  The same globalization that allows me (and businesses) the ability to easily visit third world countries, gives the citizens of that country the ability to emmigrate and seek a better life in a country that DOES have a higher miinimum wage/standard of living/etc.  

I also would have a hard time doing anything about this issue.  I've thought about it.  I could start a manufacturing company that makes lets say shirts here in bali.  we could sell to tourists and locals on the basis that they are locally made goods, and i could pay my workers a fair wage, or at the least create a bunch of jobs, and put money into the local community for schools and other things.   But then what would happen?  well someone else could probably undercut me on price if they imported stuff (maybe) or just paid their staff less.   And how much of a difference would i ultimately make?  Being american you heard stories of rockerfellers and fords changing the foundation of the country and cities they are from through industry and innovation, but the world we live in is tough.  Its more convoluted and crowded.

Then you have my own human desires to do well for myself and my family.  If i quit everything and go on some humanitarian campain to fight poverty around the world (largely regarded as an unwinnable fight) am i damming my future wife and kids to lower quality of life?   

I want to create something for my children so that they can have a good life when they are brought into this world, and be able to take advantage of all the opportunities in this life.  I also want the world to be a better place for them though.  I want them to grow up in a world that has progressed since my time as a child. I want them to see the world, be excited by it, and be inspired to want to pass that same excitement down through time. 

I have to cut it there.  i'm really just rambling and dont think i'm any closer to finding "clarity" around this matter, but it does feel good to get it out.  If you're one of the few people in the world who come across this, post your opinion on the comments, i would love to have more opinions.