Our Dependencies

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"my Harley would not move if I took off the import parts"</font color=blue>

I still like my bike from Ohio even though I heard not all the parts were made there. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[frank_f15]

what happens when we erode our manufactruing so badly that we need to have the things we need for self defence made by other nations? sad state of affairs !!/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[MDNick]

<font color=blue>BTW, I used to wear those ESD steel toe made in China Iron Age shoes at the last company I worked at. </font color=blue>

I am wearing a pair of them right now!

Very topical, this thread. I have an electrical sub wiring up a new paint booth/conveyor system at work. He mentioned yesterday that one of their prime customers in Baltimore is closing up. The DeWalt assembly line. All work done at this plant is headed for Cina. That burns me. I like my DeWalt tools. I guess the reason I have DeWalt tools is because I wouldn't pay the price for Milwaukee. And that explains a lot, unfortunately.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

A couple of thoughts on this thread. First of course would be the observation that we all express what we think of this life by describing what we think will happen in the future. Probably says more than we'd like to think it does. Sorta like describing a "friend" who's kinky and everyone knowing we're talking about our own "needs".

Secondly, being a little different by my nature, I see a better world, different, sure, but better. One of the things that's so good about us as human beings is we always come up with a solution that works and works well for any problem that confronts us.

I see us becoming a one world. This will happen only because our needs and technologies will come together and it will be the natural result. This is as it should be in my book.

I imagine we'll have instant identification. I doubt if it'll be with an implant so much as technology finding a way to identify us passively.

I also see the world being a better place to live for everyone. All you have to do is look at what we've got now versus what was here fifty years ago, hundred years ago, etc. We have a better life on so many levels.

Nationalism and religion are the banes of mankind. They will be sabotaged by their inate enemy, knowledge. Funny how that works, the more you know, the less you hate.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I keep this quote in my office and take it out every couple of months. It was written in 1801 by Sir Alex Fraser Tytler, a Scottish historian and unfortunately I can see the U.S. going through the stages.

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world's great civilzations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:
from bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to complacency;
from complacency to apathy;
from apathy to dependency;
from dependency back again to bondage."

I'm not making any political statement here. Not even sure it belongs in this conversation. I just see us getting more and more dependent on our own government as well as foreign. Just my $.02.

Bob

 

[Kiohio]

With all due respect Harv. My parents raised me right , I do respect your age and knowledge. If all generations had listened and learned from there elders think how far along we would be right now.
I don't mean to slam you. As far as I'm concern we are just friends airing our differing points of view. I would like everyone else to understand that also. I'm no genius. I just call 'em as I see 'em and form my own opinion. Yes, I do know the saying about opinions!

You said,
Nationalism and religion are the banes of mankind. They will be sabotaged by their inate enemy, knowledge. Funny how that works, the more you know, the less you hate.

Religion is a very broad term I know but, I don't correlate hate and religion as being one in the same. Or did I misunderstand you?
I agree knowledge is good but sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.

Nationalism, Hmmm. I think we should still have the "Don't tread on me" (gadsden) Flag. That is what makes this country great. Kick us and we will get you back. We may be one of the most out of shape nations in the world but step on us and we will fight to the death.


You said,
I also see the world being a better place to live for everyone. All you have to do is look at what we've got now versus what was here fifty years ago, hundred years ago, etc. We have a better life on so many levels.

The only problem is I don't think we are better off.
Voilence is up, teen pregnancy up, drug use up, divorce up, abortion up. We have eroded away most of the moral fabric that exsisted in this country at one time.
Laws cannot do anything if a good moral foundation isn't laid at the home in our early years. If not then, when will it be laid? Who will teach respect for authority, elders, and other people?
Our kids are raised by Mtv, and sitcoms that show Mom and Dad being stupid and the kids knowing everything.

With all of that said I think you are right on alot of points.
Right, but not necessarily good.

KO

 

[saw_dust]

Kiohio.......

Well said..........Thanks

 

[rancar]

Bob...

Real nice and appropriate quote. Seems like we're at the end of this process and from there the only place will be to start all over again. But, likely alot of pain and misery will occur before we get to the beginning again.

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree with you Bob. Like Kio said sometimes we can't see the forest through the trees. History always repeats itself.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

Excellant post, Bob. Right on the mark.