For us do-it-yourselfers, BUY USA video. Excellent stuff.

[Blade Breaker]

Lets all work for little or no wages in dangerous environments. Lets start in your town and see how it goes. How about instead of sinking to their level we either raise taxes on imported items that are not manufactured with the same standards that we require here, or ban them entirely. Talk about a way to improve the environment and living standards around the entire world.

You ate absolutely right about this aspect of it. The PRC is not playing on an equal field. They manipulate their money to promote cheap exports, and prevent imports. The labor rates aren't only cheap in PRC, several other countries can compete on labor. I really would like to see the US government relax environmental regs, taxes, and outlaw unions; to allow the US to compete. Sure, we won't do 100% of our own manufacturing, but at least then we can throw out a competitive bid. China and India are rapidly improving there logistics, infrastructure, and power grid; and they have skilled, plentiful labor, hungry for the work. We, as a country, have to be able to compete. We can't just say "buy American" for quality, because we can turn out crap product just as well as China can make quality products.

 

[Sysop]

Well, I buy what I can from American workers and wish I could buy more. When shopping tractors, having something to suit my needs was primary. Once I had it narrowed to 3 or 4 units that would do what I wanted, I used a number of other factors to finalize my choice. One of those facts that helped in the decision was the vast number of components on the India-built Mahindra 4035 that was made by American companies and companies that have been friendly to America across many brands. Even the most iconic "American" companies aren't much in the way of American anymore. Hasn't been that long ago the video of the GM CEO boasting to a Chinese audience that 70% of GM's global manufacturing occurs in China made rounds and uproars. "Buy American" is only as good as the person saying the words. And in today's news, anyone can buy a sticker... Consumerist.com

 

[mikehaugen]

Well, for one, not all manufacturing jobs are mindless dumb chimps. I work in manufacturing, but I am a "mechanic" or "technician" or whatever you want to call it. It is technically "skilled labor." Without the factories and machine operators that come with it... I am out of a job, along with the managers, supervisors, clerical workers, and other skilled positions.

Our suppliers would also shut down, the engineers that work for the company would be out of work (engineers that design/improve the factories.) My point is that manufacturing employs a lot more people than just the dumb monkeys. This is something I am pretty passionate about... ask the wife- she's the one that will see me put something down in the store that is made in China and look at 3 different stores or go home and order something online to find something made here. Sometimes it's not possible, but I will 95% of the time spend the extra money, or go without... and trust me... I am not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.

We can't have an entire country full of engineers, it takes all types to make the country work.

 

[paulharvey]

I wasn't implying that it is all "dumb chimps". What I ment is simply that a company can't pay the "chimps" mechanics wages, retirement, benefits ect, for the chimp work. Let's face it, in any industry, there is chimp work.

I agree 100% that this country can't all be engineers, ect; and I believe there is a cultural problem. Every kid hears in school "you better stay in school, or you'll end up digging ditches". Someone has to dig the ditches, and learn and master a trade, you'll do alright. No, you won't get rich, and simply years on the job don't mean anything; what I mean is people who really master there trade, and take on additional responsibilities and duties.

About in my neighborhood? Sure, let's bring 1000+ $10,12, 15/hour jobs to my county. Sure, there might be some dangers to work, but I never once said go to 19th century; manufacturing is not more dangerous then construction, logging, agribusiness, or heck sitting at home getting fat and lazy.

 

[paulharvey]

Lets all work for little or no wages in dangerous environments. Lets start in your town and see how it goes. How about instead of sinking to their level we either raise taxes on imported items that are not manufactured with the same standards that we require here, or ban them entirely. Talk about a way to improve the environment and living standards around the entire world.

That will really bring the consumer the best possible product, at the best price... This mind set would simply force the US into a world of "good enough, cause they have to buy our stuff". Do you really think American companies would grow or even maintain quality when they have Zero international competition. As we sat here, buying over priced, low quality stuff, because we are forced too, do you really think the rest of the world wouldn't pass our quality buy? Sound at all like the USSR?

 

[Renze]

That will really bring the consumer the best possible product, at the best price... This mind set would simply force the US into a world of "good enough, cause they have to buy our stuff". Do you really think American companies would grow or even maintain quality when they have Zero international competition. As we sat here, buying over priced, low quality stuff, because we are forced too, do you really think the rest of the world wouldn't pass our quality buy? Sound at all like the USSR?

....actually you just summed up the general thought in Europe about American attempts of buying compact cars... Dont know if this European idea will ever change...

 

[Blade Breaker]

Well I can say the quality is already crap for most ( not all ) items compared to years past when things were made locally. What competition is there now? Try and buy a electronic device that is not made in China. Sounds like we are in the exact situation you describe except other countries are making the items. I do agree that competition is great and what better way to compete than to make the rules we live by here what is needed to compete. I dont agree with all the rules but they are ours. Companies would do what it takes to sell in the American market. And the rules may a be more realistic if they we're not also used as political leverage. Would prices go up. Probably. But we don't pay what it really costs to make these items if using our own rules now.
It's frustrating to see our own country consume itself for the cheapest stupid crap.

That will really bring the consumer the best possible product, at the best price... This mind set would simply force the US into a world of "good enough, cause they have to buy our stuff". Do you really think American companies would grow or even maintain quality when they have Zero international competition. As we sat here, buying over priced, low quality stuff, because we are forced too, do you really think the rest of the world wouldn't pass our quality buy? Sound at all like the USSR?

 

[Blade Breaker]

Well I can say the quality is already crap for most ( not all ) items compared to years past when things were made locally. What competition is there now? Try and buy a electronic device that is not made in China. Sounds like we are in the exact situation you describe except other countries are making the items. I do agree that competition is great and what better way to compete than to make the rules we live by here what is needed to compete. I dont agree with all the rules but they are ours. Companies would do what it takes to sell in the American market. And the rules may a be more realistic if they we're not also used as political leverage. Would prices go up. Probably. But we don't pay what it really costs to make these items if using our own rules now.
It's frustrating to see our own country consume itself for the cheapest stupid crap.

That will really bring the consumer the best possible product, at the best price... This mind set would simply force the US into a world of "good enough, cause they have to buy our stuff". Do you really think American companies would grow or even maintain quality when they have Zero international competition. As we sat here, buying over priced, low quality stuff, because we are forced too, do you really think the rest of the world wouldn't pass our quality buy? Sound at all like the USSR?

 

[muddstopper]

You can talk about cheap wages, Union workers all you want, but the real reason Corporations are leaving the US is taxes. Corporate Tax by Country | Global Finance Magazine At 40%, it would only make sense that any corporation that wished to protect their profits would want to move their headquarters and manufacturing facilities to somewhere where they aint taxed to death.

 

[Blade Breaker]

You can talk about cheap wages, Union workers all you want, but the real reason Corporations are leaving the US is taxes. Corporate Tax by Country | Global Finance Magazine At 40%, it would only make sense that any corporation that wished to protect their profits would want to move their headquarters and manufacturing facilities to somewhere where they aint taxed to death.

Good point.