In response to Haley’s post.

Outsourcing and the difference between the cost of the product and the wages of employees is not the only point that can be made. In 1960, the average chief executive earned 40 times as much as the average worker. By 1990, the average CEO earned 107 times as much. In the following decade, this ratio rose to 525:1 before settling back to 301:1 in 2003. Chief executives play an important role in the success of their business, but without the employees in the trenches there would be no company.

Should this pay gap be smaller?

Purchasing with emotion.

Like many Americans I spent Sunday watching the super bowl, not because I like football, because I am always curious to see the commercials. I usually hate commercials, but occasionally there is one that peeks my interest. Mixed in with all the junk Sunday, there was one commercial that it getting a lot of attention, excerpts from a decades-old speech from a radio broadcaster, Paul Harvey. He first delivered the speech at an FFA convention in 1978. The speech also ran in Paul Harvey's syndicated newspaper column in 1986. In the introduction, Harvey disclaimed authorship.

How is it that words as intense as these have escaped the public’s attention?  The commercial brings to light what most of us know but few want to admit. That the farmer is a unique individual and the life they live can by no means called easy and for many even profitable. So rather than pat Dodge on the back for making this commercial, why not pat a farmer on the back and tell them you appreciate what they do. The two minute piece has amazing words and beautiful photographs but they are not enough for me to buy a Dodge.

Personal products, such as clothing and perfume, are associated with higher levels of emotion than nonpersonal products. Rational purchases have little emotion in the decision making process.   How do emotions factor in your buying decision?