Welcome To The People's Republic Of America

You are right on Wood. Part of the problem is that manufacturing jobs have been following the path to cheaper labor and have gone abroad for that answer. I fear that we will not be seeing those jobs again until the US becomes a pool of cheap labor again. We are a country now filled with more jobs in the service industry and, therefore, most goods that we buy will not be made here. More importantly, more service sector jobs are also being lost to the overseas markets, which will leave the US with more and more troubles. I believe the US is at a point in its history where massive changes have to be made with respect to government entitlements, wages and other labor benefits, tort reform, health care reform, educational costs and other issues before we will again prosper. The problem is that no one is willing to suffer the pain associated with those massive changes that are needed and are instead apparently waiting for a miraculous resolution to these problems. Sure, it is easier to get elected, but those running for office are more worried about getting elected or re-elected than they are about seeking the tough answers to these problems that are truly in the best interests of our country. We have one chance in 4 years to have our collective voices heard -- let's not waste our opportunity in choosing the lesser of two evils. Choose the Presidential candidate that you think more closely resembles your thinking in the types of changes that are desperately neede by our country. You know with whom I stand with that, and this will be the first time in my voting life of over 30 years that I have not voted for either Republican or Democrat for President.

JMO,

Manny

The thing, which many don't realize, is the VAST difference in labor rates between the U.S. and foreign countries. Something, which costs $10.00 to manufacture in the U.S., can be made for $0.10 in foreign countries. With shipping and communications being easier, the $0.10 items have a real attraction. It's the difference between a $100.00 pair of sneakers or a pair for $13.00. ... both are "throw aways". Business is buying on one playing field and selling on another, to the tune of much larger profits. At the same time, both the U.S. business and the foreign country are making huge amounts of money, due to quantity.

chabbo wrote:You are right on Wood. Part of the problem is that manufacturing jobs have been following the path to cheaper labor and have gone abroad for that answer. I fear that we will not be seeing those jobs again until the US becomes a pool of cheap labor again.

This is exactly where government (us) is to blame! We have allowed our leaders to encourage shipping good jobs overseas, & even giving business tax incentives to do so!! Why have we not been smart enough to support OUR manufacturers with the tax incentives they need to keep our manufacturing base.....AND JOBS right here in this country?
My opinion is very simple: Willingness & stupidity to "go for the quick buck" at the cost our our children's economic future!
Our candidates of all parties need to be talking about these REAL problems & not "lipstick on a pig"!

My 14 year old grandson is smart enough to realize that, if we really want to become energy independent (for example) & help our own businesses at the same time, why not give a tax credit to anyone who heats their home with coal? It may not be "Green" enough right now, but it is allot better than being dependent on ME oil & can be ended when we have new "greener" energy alternatives ready to go

The thing that bothers me most about foreign goods is national defense. We can't provide clothes, boots or ammo for our own defense. When we invaded Iraq we had to start importing small arms ammo from Israel. Giving up our ability to defend ourselves is just plain stupid. The only reason we won WW2 was because of our strong manufacturing base. We gave that up in the quest for cheap goods. I'm not sure what's going to happen the next time we have to get in a war similar to WW2.

billw wrote:The only reason we won WW2 was because of our strong manufacturing base.

We have long ago given up the position of FDR's "Arsenal of Democracy" Bill.

We are now the world's "Arsenal Of "....Fat Bellies , Complacency & Hypocrisy.

CHINAMART changed the way the world produces and distributes.

USA, Canada & Mexico should unite as one and stop importing everything from Asia including oil and produce every last product we need for survival. Plenty of pil & natural gas here in North America

Regards to Red Wings, I am loyal to RW's. I still have about 8 pairs. Can't wear out the darn boots.
But my newest pair of steel tips, Made in USA with imported products.

Unions are part of the problem.

More then just part of the problem.


Chabbo, your post makes sense, thanks.

I just bought a brand new DR Power Wagon for working around the house and moving my coal, the unit is made rite here in America, northern Vt. After a few days of using it I was having problems with the transmission,the dealer got me a new tranny from DR and after installing it still had problems. The Dr Tec told the dealer "just give him a new machine" instead of making me wait around another week to diagnose the problem they wanted me to be able to use their product and be happy. I didn't have to spend hours on the phone with some chinese speaking babbling idiot that I can't understand agruing about my machine. Even though there was a problem with a brand new machine, it was the way they handled it, their customer service is top notch and I would highly recommend them and their products. It's nice to see that some companies here still care about their customers and the products they're selling.

Dave

What most are forgetting is US of American is now just a small part of a world economy. The buying power of the European Union, the oil producing nations and/or the emerging nations has or shorting will exceed the economic power of the USA. We can no longer call the shots. The Bush doctrine preemptive military action has let other nations largely avoid the huge costs of the fighting war on Islamic terrorism. While we go ever deeper in debt both personally and as a nation other countries grow richer. In many cases financing our debt.

Wood'nCoal wrote:So I guess the owner's manual for my next Ford will be in Chinese???

For Mandarin, I recommend Rosetta Stone.

The US has been an aberration in history; An exception to the usual slow economic development of a society. Unparalleled vast resources and personal liberty, coupled with western values and an inflow of determined people with exceptional survival skills, enabled the US to grow by leaps and bounds compared to the "old countries" where the entrenched elite held fast to power, authority and wealth.

Living in the modern US era lends itself to a skewed perception (similar to being to close an object in order to view it fully) that the US is a shining example of mankind at its best when in fact it is merely mankind exploiting an opportunity. I can say these things because I am not running for president. I love this country and believe that it is still unique and holds vast opportunity however, it's best hope lies in the value system of its ancestors, not the value system of the "change" meisters.

The growth era of the US is waning, not because of anything but natural forces tending toward equilibrium.

"Casual Shoes: Dexter, when purchased Made inthe U.S.A. Don;t know if they still are."

Dexter production is offshore now, if ya can't beat 'em join 'em. I think they had a plant in puerto rico that may still be going, but the town of Dexter is economically crushed and has a giant empty building with a pub in it where the factory used to be. The factory over in Milo is gone too, but at least there's still some production going on in the place... JSI store fixtures.