Brutal Quote by P. J. O'Rourke
“Something that comes to us, some gym shoe that comes to us as a result of child labor from a brutal dictatorship, where people do not have basic freedoms, it wouldn't bug me to tax the living Dickens out of that thing or even to forbid its importation whatsoever. But that's a moral question, not an economic question.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that ethical concerns about a product’s origin outweigh any economic considerations, suggesting that moral judgments should dictate policy, not market forces.
In simple terms: Moral issues trump economics.
Key Takeaway
Ethics should guide trade decisions.
Themes
ethics
politics
globalization
labor rights
consumerism
Mood
critical
ironic
concerned
Type
political commentary
social critique
When to use this quote
- import regulation
- taxation debates
- consumer boycotts
- corporate sourcing
- government trade policy
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
economic policy
human rights
Practical Applications
- policy advocacy
- ethical consumer campaigns
Questions to Reflect On
- Should governments intervene in markets for moral reasons?
- How can consumers influence supply chains?
![“[Social legislation] raised the cost of production; and what can be more illogical than to raise the cost of production in the country and then to allow the products of other countries which are not surrounded by any similar legislation, which are free from any similar cost and expenditure freely…” quote by Joseph Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94b/joseph-chamberlain-27573_cheaper_social-legislation-raised-the-cost-of-pr_458371.jpg)
