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Counterfeiting endangers consumers
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Counterfeiting endangers consumersLewis 9 (Kevin, “The Fake and the Fatal: The Consequences of Counterfeits”, 2009, https://www.iwu.edu/economics/PPE17/lewis.pdf) As evidenced above, counterfeits pose a significant risk to consumers. Unsafe fake goods can lead to injuries, deaths, and illnesses, as the cases of Maxine Blount illustrates. In cases where fake goods cause no physical harm, consumers are harmed financially when they are hoodwinked into spending their hardearned cash on a poor-functioning, low-quality counterfeit. Moreover, since businesses must raise their prices to recoup losses from counterfeiting, the public is “forced to pay higher prices for brand-name products because of counterfeiters” (Congressional Hearing, 5/25/05). However, the threat that counterfeits pose to Americans extends far beyond the shoddy quality of the products themselves and higher prices for genuine goods. Criminal counterfeiting operations often fund the activities of groups who seek to kill innocent citizens. According to the Secretary General of Interpol, “intellectual property crime is becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terrorist groups,” including, but not limited to, Hezbollah and al Qaeda (Congressional Hearing, 5/25/05). Likewise, Russian, Eurasian, Asian, and Lebanese organized crime groups profit from intellectual property crimes, and “there may be a trend developing for local gang involvement in” counterfeiting (Congressional Hearing, 5/25/05). A2 Coop solves econCooperation doesn’t solve economy-failure to reformReinsch and Shea 15 (Hon. William A. Reinsch, Chairman Hon. Dennis C. Shea, Vice Chairman, November 18, 2015 “2015 Report to Congress of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission,” pg.viii, HY) These developments would be of lesser concern if China were demonstrating itself to be a force for democracy, rule of law, and responsible governance on the world stage. China has taken some action to contribute to global peace and security through antipiracy patrols, peacekeeping operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts. At the same time, though, China’s willingness to empower corrupt elites in other countries often undermines good governance and human rights. Meanwhile, Beijing continues to undermine the autonomy of Hong Kong, and use incentives and intimidation to draw Taiwan closer to the Mainland. The expectation in the United States of economic reforms when Xi Jinping came into power has not yet been borne out by his government’s performance. Instead, President Xi has not been able to resist the temptation of resorting to old economic tools—including government subsidies for favored industries, currency manipulation, overinvestment in fixed assets, and excessive intervention in the financial system—in order to avoid short term dislocation and retain popular support. At the same time, the government’s military buildup, expansion in the South China Sea, and crackdown on dissidents and journalists have created significant concern elsewhere in Asia and increased doubts about China’s intentions as it asserts itself on the world stage. Download 357.18 Kb. Share with your friends:
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