Deforest City Blues: Is the loss of a locomotive plant bad news?

So we lose a locomotive plant, i.e., London’s Electro-Motive Diesel on Oxford St. East.

So we lose up to 1,000 jobs.

Isn’t that what business competition, open markets and economical efficiency is all about?

Isn’t it the dream of N. American governments and corporations that the most efficient will win out on the level playing field of open markets?

So what if Indiana, the future home of a bigger and better locomotive plant, has promised millions in incentives out of some pretty deep pockets. (Taxpayers in Indiana have deep pockets, right?)


So what if it will employ fewer workers (up to 650 by 2012) and keep costs lower.

The spirit of globalism, the market first economical system - with subsidies - will win.

Certainly, up to 1,000 local workers will lose.

Their families will lose.

The children will lose as they move to another location and school.

Our communities will lose.

Virtues like thrift and trust in authority will lose.

But it’s not all bad news is it if governments and corporations get to chase a hollow dream?

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Recommended reading - The Collapse of Globalism: And the reinvention of the world, by John Ralston Saul.

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