Is anything made in the U.S.A.

[andover farmer]

INTERESTING DISCUSSION, BUT LET'S REVIEW THE UNDERLYING REASON(S) WHY ORGANIZED LABOR IS FALLING OUT OF FAVOR IN LIGHT OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.............BENEFITS. UNIONS ARE AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE BENEFIT DEMANDING. THAT'S THEIR PRIORITY. DURING THE 50'S, 60'S AND 70'S,LARGE CORPS. DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT BENEFIT EXPENSES, BECAUSE THEY WERE A MODEST % OF THEIR COST OF DOING BUSINESS. HEALTH INSURANCE, PENSIONS ETC. STAYED RELITIVELY FLAT YR/YR. CORP'S ABSORBED NOMINAL INCREASES BY IMPROVING ON EFFICIENCY / PRODUCTIVITY, BUT THE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS NEVER KEPT PACE WITH ANNUAL EFFICIENCES THAT WERE ACHEIVED BY INDUSTRY, THUS THE LATER'S COSTS CONTINUED TO ESCALATE, TO A POINT WHERE THEY BECAME A FINANCIAL BURDEN TO INDUSTRIES COMPETING IN THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY.

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND COVERAGES. THERE'S NO EFFICIENCES IN TODAY'S HEALTH CARE SERVICE SECTOR! IF THAT DOESN'T SATISFY YOUR CURIOSITY, THEN TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION SECTOR. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES GOES TO YOUR SCHOOLS? WHAT'S THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A 4YEAR PRIVATE COLLEGE? THIS IS ALL EXPENSIVE AND PLACES U.S. CO'S AT A SEVERE DISADVANTAGE.

WE ARE NO LONGER A MANUFACTURING BASED ECONOMY, WE ARE A SERVICE BASED ECONOMY COMPETING IN A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT.

HEALTH CARE, ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS, AND EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT / SPENDING WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR ACHILE'S HEEL.

 

[Musclford]

I'm very proud to say that a majority of the D6 - D11 Caterpillar Track-Type Tractors are manufactured and assembled in East Peoria, IL... The Large wheel loaders and Excavators are made in Aurora, IL, and the Mining Trucks and and graders are made in Decatur, IL along with the CAT on-highway truck engines are cast in Mapelton, IL and assembled in Mossville, IL...

And CAT still made 3+ Billion in profit last year, even with all the expensive AMERICAN labor...

They are outsourcing too, but a bulk of the industry is still right in the heartland of the US..

Thankfully

 

[Podunkadunk]

Interesting thread. Being from the south, I, nor any of my family ever dealt with a union. I've heard good and lots of BAD.

The Japanese engineer and build great products. Kubota, which i own, is 100% Kubota. I find that interesting that they don't outsource to the US for parts. Tough and dependable, I am proud to own one. Nothing against the competitors and I don't bleed orange. Kubota doesn't send me a check every month to endorse their product...their product speaks for itself.

Great thread and all the contrasting points of view are enlightening.

Podunk

 

[patrick_g]

I was too naive when I bought my '97 Dodge/Cummins one tone dually 4x4. I couldn't imagine a more MADE IN USA truck.

Later I discovered it was "Hecho en Mexico." My prev truck was an '84 Ford diesel MADE IN KANSAS (Still mostly American so far.)

Pat

 

[_RaT_]

Interesting thread. Being from the south, I, nor any of my family ever dealt with a union. I've heard good and lots of BAD.

The Japanese engineer and build great products. Kubota, which i own, is 100% Kubota. I find that interesting that they don't outsource to the US for parts. Tough and dependable, I am proud to own one. Nothing against the competitors and I don't bleed orange. Kubota doesn't send me a check every month to endorse their product...their product speaks for itself.

Great thread and all the contrasting points of view are enlightening.

Podunk

The loaders, hoes and rims are made in the USA the last time I checked.

 

[Podunkadunk]

The loaders, hoes and rims are made in the USA the last time I checked.

Well, I stand corrected...since I don't have a hoe or FEL, I guess mine is only 99% made by Kubota.

'Preciate the insight.

-Podunk

 

[scott_vt]

I think its kinda hard to lay all the blame on the union's doorstep. As long as CEO's get 10's of millions of dollars (or more) to leave a company they've helped along on the road to ruin, I can't blame any employee for thinking he should get better pay and benefits for themselves and their families.
While I'm not a union worker, sometimes I think I can see a little of the other side.

Mornin Torin,
Well said !

 

[tommu56]

the medical issue and benifits my mil broke her arm last weekend back in the 60,70s they would have set it NOOOOOOOOO have to go see some one else two days late and another bill hospitals have CEO's just like the big three botom line make a buck and us poor working sleps are stuck in the middle will not get a brake until the electied officals have the same medical plan and retirment that we have!!!!!!!

now off my soap box.

tommu56

 

[daTeacha]

Unions have done a lot of good, but I don't believe they are being helpful anymore.

On the other hand, what about places like Wal Mart, where the pay is minimal, the business methods are more or less intended to drive the small locally owned stores out of business, and they very quickly cause severe economic stress among their own suppliers?

Start selling your product to Wal Mart. They order so much of it that they soon become your majority customer. Then they start pressuring you to cut costs or hit you with so much "shrinkage" charge that your business suffers until you bleed to death.

Various studies have shown that a large size discount store like Wally World has a NEGATIVE impact on the local economy, despite their spin about helping the community with grant programs and such.

 

[Walt Richardson]

Unions have done a lot of good, but I don't believe they are being helpful anymore.

On the other hand, what about places like Wal Mart, where the pay is minimal, the business methods are more or less intended to drive the small locally owned stores out of business, and they very quickly cause severe economic stress among their own suppliers?

Start selling your product to Wal Mart. They order so much of it that they soon become your majority customer. Then they start pressuring you to cut costs or hit you with so much "shrinkage" charge that your business suffers until you bleed to death.

Various studies have shown that a large size discount store like Wally World has a NEGATIVE impact on the local economy, despite their spin about helping the community with grant programs and such.

And making billions selling people what they want at a price they want. What an idea. How Unions do hate Wal Mart.