Buying American, is it important?

[MessickFarmEqu]

I said previously,

re. unions, well, they definitely share in the blame of American manufacturing moving to other country's. Those $20 an hr broom operators and the ridgid rules where only certain people can only do certain jobs (high paying jobs I might add) most definitely add's to the bottom line cost of a product.

Back on the tractors, CNH and Deere both are unionized shops who are represented by one of the auto unions. Kubota is a totally non-union shop. I actually asked some of the manufacturing guys about and they said they are treated fairly so its never come up. I know CNH has had several problems with strikes. Back before we got on the political spin we where talking about where a company chooses to build its product and I am sure that the unions have had to drive many of their own jobs overseas by being too heavy handed.

As for the teachers union.... ugh. Come on. Where else can you get a job where you have a life long pension, pay almost nothing for benefits, and have a guaranteed raise every year. I'm all for paying them well as its a difficult job, but I really resent the fact that they really don't seen to appreciate what they have. My wife graduated from college in marketing at the top 20 of her class of 700 and she started in the private sector making 50% less than a starting teacher. Yet many of our teaching friends complain non-stop about their contracts.

 

[redneckford]

Messick----was a tractor dealer for over 20 years Ford/NH went back to school and became a High school teacher. Go try it for six weeks it's harder than any hay baler you will ever ever work on. Hay Balers don't talk back!!!!

 

[Builder]

Messick, you can insult teachers all you want, but I know how big of a difference the good ones like my wife can make in children's lives, certainly more than any tractor salesman can.
What level of education does it take to take someone's money and give them a product you didn't even make? I guess you're like some kind of hero here because you sell Kubota tractors,,,,, big deal. I'm not impressed.

As for the pension, lots of private sector jobs have pensions. As for the benefits, they ain't all that great. And the yearly raises? Gimmie a break, they don't even cover cost of living increases.

 

[Cook123]

Why would you get off on downing someones profession Volfandt and Messick? I thought this thread was about buying American! But since you mentioned it I happen to be a union mechanic. Yes I have a technical degree, in laithe operations, milling machine, heavy equipment, overhead gantry and mobile crane operations, we do plumbing and I am pressure weld certified in the power house all while people in the south enjoy some of the cheapest power available anywhere in the country. But come on guys lets concentrate on the topic and stay off personals. Guess I should have pushed a broom or become a teacher instead!

 

[Builder]

Why would you get off on downing someones profession Volfandt and Messick? I thought this thread was about buying American! But since you mentioned it I happen to be a union mechanic. Yes I have a technical degree, in laithe operations, milling machine, heavy equipment, overhead gantry and mobile crane operations, we do plumbing and I am pressure weld certified in the power house all while people in the south enjoy some of the cheapest power available anywhere in the country. But come on guys lets concentrate on the topic and stay off personals. Guess I should have pushed a broom or become a teacher instead!

I didn' say anything to Volfandt. I think he makes great points.

Messick started in on the teachers. Why don't you ask him?

 

[redneckford]

Reckon how many tractor salemen turn down Union dollars and teacher dollars when they want to buy a tractor????But in defense of that statement I told a Union Leader one time he did not want to buy a 5900 Ford because it was made in Mexico. I was afraid I would make him mad. I thought He would want a Union made 6610. Was I ever wrong----He said "what do I look like an idiot!!!!" I'm not paying $6000 more for the same tractor just because it is made in the US. Go Figure---he was a Union Leader not a line worker.Look how many union works and teachers own non-union built machines. Support each other -----gotta wonder??????????

 

[Cook123]

Builder I wasn t replying just to you, just generally to the threads being posted.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Did you guys read what I said?

"I'm all for paying them well as its a hard job". I've got no issue with that.

My gripe is that they don't seem to appreciate what they have and there is a real culture of complaining. That's not just my opinion. Both of my in-laws work in schools. One as a guidance counselor, one as a secretary. Their experiences are what have shaped my outlook. My sister and brother in-law both teach, as do 4 of my good friends. I'm surrounded by it.

None the less... we're going way off topic.

 

[redneckford]

no it all fits like a glove----Have you ever been to a tractor dealer meeting----if they ain't com--plane---ing they ain't breathing!!! to many sorry tractor dealers just like to many sorry teachers it depends on what pew your sitting in and how your first hand experience is to what opinion you develop---But since you brought it up-----Do many companies have Union people in their marketing department.I think not. Which department has the biggest cost and overhead where do most of those Penn State Grads work. Bet they don't work for $20,000.00. Coke-Cola spends more on advertizing and delivery than they do on corn syrup and water.and the guy doin the makin is earning to much money com--on. We have a broke system cause we want what we buy to be cheap---i mean least expensive---what we do to be high pay---- and the "other Feller" to do what i need done for nut--un. Are teachers spoiled heck yes---are tractor dealers spoiled--heck yes---is the tractor buying public spoiled----Heck N0!!!! They are always right remember they are the customer----they got what i want----M---O----N---E---Y!!!!!!!

 

[canoetrpr]

Amen. I don't think that people realize that the lack of a Christian/Religous value system is a value system unto itself. I don't think anyone here would say that the moral fabric of our society is better off than it was 50 years ago, and this is part of the reason why.

I gotta call you on this one Messick. Just based on the facts. You know people got lynched 50 years ago for the colour of their skin - right? The moral fabric a couple hundred years ago also allowed human beings to own other human beings...slaves. The Judeao / Christian tradition allows for this of course so there was no problem with this from a morality perspective.

I'd say the moral fabric of your society is better of today than it was 50 years ago.