GSP's Profile

"Why is it that everything that is "good" and "green" is such an expensive commodity?"

Well-made, environmentally friendly, locally made products are, adjusted for inflation, no more expensive than they were a generation ago.

The difference is that our expectation of value has been changed by cheap Chinese imports and automated production techniques producing cheaper (but inferior) goods.

US cost for washers, bolts, etc. = approx $1/ea
China cost for washers, bolts, etc = $0.05.
US cost for labor = $10-40/hr (inc benefits/union dues/etc)
China cost for labor = $0.50/hr

"I have "cotton, wool, horsehair, flax, steel and wood" in my backyard.

If I gather it together and turn it into a mattress, will you pay me $13K for it?"

That's the essence capitalism... take raw materials, add value, market it well and a fortune can be yours.

A pound of iron ore is worth a couple of bucks, but by the time it's processed to stainless steel wire it's worth hundreds, for you to put into a mattress as springs and sell for thousands...

Nice place! What's the train noise like from that building? I've always loved that building, one of the few interesting ones in this town.