I've been looking around on the Internet and I find is amazing at the huge gap in trade deficits with other countries. I have noticed for quite awhile when you go into a store and hardly anything on the shelves are made in America. What's up with that?
Another thing that does not make sense to me is that when you do find something to buy that is American made it costs quite a bit more on average than it's Chinese, Japanese, and Taiwanese counter parts? What is up with that?
Or when we do buy say, an American automobile, that automobile is probably 85% made in in other countries and maybe assembled here? Most of the dash pads are made in Mexico, most of the engines are, Toyota, Mazda, or Mitsubishi. GM, Ford, and Chrysler respectively. Much of the so called American Iron of Harley Davidson is made by foreign countries. The shocks and front ends are Shoei, the Carbs are Keihn. The brakes are made overseas. How can you say something is American made when a good part of it is made overseas?
One word comes to mind, sacrilege.
One of the observations I have made over the past few years, is that we seem to be importing poverty into this country. Immigration is a big part of that problem. I was looking for jobs in the construction area not long ago and noticed what I did 15-20 years ago for $12-$15 dollars an hour, I am lucking to see advertised for $8-10 dollars an hour. The same for the transportation industry, what I could do for $1,500 a week, I would be lucky to do the same for $900 a week. Much of it has to do with Illegals coming into this country and working for pennies on the dollar most Americans would laugh at.
Why is it, when I call tech support for a gadget I purchased, and I talk to somebody half way around the world in India? At least they could do is give them better English lessons to tame down the thick accent so I can understand these people? When my wife worked at a local hospital, the same thing, you had problems with the Intra net tech support is in India.
Go try to find a leather coat made in America, most of them are made in Pakistan, India, or some kind of place with stan attached to the name.
Wal-Mart can go pound salt for all I care with all their Chinese made crap on the shelves, along with the way they have been known to treat employees. I want American made products made by Americans. What am I supposed to do with my $600 rebate that I am going to get from Uncle Sam? Stimulate the economy? Whose economy might that be? Japan, China, Pakistan, Canada, Mexico, or Taiwan? I do not really think it is going to simulate our economy all that much, unless we buy American products.
I see a bunch of different factors that add into this equation. How much of it is affected by the union wages? How much of the trade deficit and our economy is affected by the tax structure, EPA regulations, OSHA regulations, product liability. What kind of taxes and tariffs are we putting on imports? Is it really the corporations fault for having to go overseas to be competitive on the global market we live in now?
What happens when a corporation cuts all the corners they can and still cannot produce a product here, for the same price it can be done in China? A no brainer for me, to keep profit margins where they need to be, to keep share holders happy, make my stock worth more, expand profit margins. You bet I would move my company overseas if I didn't have all the regulations, and I could cut my productions costs to almost nothing.
Why would I buy recycled products that usually cost more to manufacture and cost more than a product made from scratch?
Why would I by a product here in the U.S. like a $25 dollar T-shirt when I can buy the same thing made in China for $10 bucks?
Why are people going to buy our products over their own when the quality is basically the same and their products are cheaper? Whether or not taxes and tariffs apply.
Another big problem our society has is that we have become a throw away society. Buy something cheap it lasts a couple of years, throw it away when it breaks, and buy a new one. Drive a car a couple of years, don't like the color anymore, or the new model has a new gadget you want, the old car away, get a new one.
My Grandfather might have owned 3 cars his entire life. He bought them new, took care of them, owned them for 20 plus years. The last one my Grandparents bought was a 1974 Ford Torino Elite. My Grandmother traded it in 1986 for a T-Bird because the Elite was too big.
Now people on average lease a vehicle for 2 years and change them out like they do their underwear; because they don't like the color anymore, or it is time for a tune up. My car don't have blue tooth, through it away and get this year’s model that has blue tooth.
What's up with these SUV's and crossovers? Just can't go out and buy a 4x4 anymore to go stomp around in the woods anymore. We got to have DVD players, power everything, little TV screens in the back of the headrests, or pop down out of the roof. Climate controlled sectors for each individual that may ride in the vehicle.
What happened to Broncos, Blazers and Ram Chargers? Nothing is sacred anymore! When I want a truck, I want a Truck! Roll down windows, a vinyl bench seat, and rubber floor mats, something I can get all muddy, open up both doors and blast out with a pressure washer. Let's see you do that with your Escalade Mr. Yuppie!