Made in America

I can be just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to buying American made goods. Not always, as I'll seek out the best quality when I'm paying the bill.

Let's face it. Most of American made goods are made overseas (and down south) in factories owned or co-owned by American companies that just sell to themselves here, stateside, increasing the mark up along the way.

Keeping that in mind, you can still put money in the pocket of Americans when buying some "foreign" product. As for actual, foreign made equipment, I'd have no qualms whatsoever (if I could afford it) buying something like a Luxman. Heck, my new plasma is a Samsung and I wouldn't mind driving a Mercedes C class.

We're constantly bombarded with the notion that we live in a global economy when it comes to labor (our declining wages) but told to buy only American made goods to get our vote. Don't fall for the hype: buy American when you can but if you get the itch to try that "other" make, don't feel too bad about it.

All the best,
Nonoise

All it takes is the will to do it. There's no magic to it.

Ideology can be a dangerous thing when not thought through. The answer can be staring you right in the face (and it is: we've been here before, many times) but a belief system based on "gut feelings", preconceived notions, and mob mentality can derail any sensible and non threatening solution.

Nowadays, people will most certainly cut off their nose to spite their faces.
They'll tell you it was due to the principle of the matter. A principle that exists only in their head and not in reality.

All the best,
Nonoise

Bifwynne,
I hear you. Before 2000 our unemployment rate was around 5% and we had a surplus. By the end of 2008 we closed and moved overseas 60,000 plants and laid off over 5 million workers.

All one hears is of the unnecessary and onerous burdens place on companies (like worker safety regs and pollution standards) so off go the jobs to places were 112 people can burn to death so some a-hole stateside can enjoy a bigger return on his "investment" by ignoring those standards.

Why should those same people who exploit labor give a tinkers fart about an educated populace? It's more easy to manipulate them if they're ignorant.
As for those who collectively owe more in student loans than what's owed in credit card debt, that was just another scheme.

Our elected officials know damn well what's going on.

All one has to do is listen to the right ones and back them.

All the best,
Nonoise

Tonyeinsc, well said.

I have a brother in law who used to work at Imagineering for Disney back in the day. He's headed projects in Japan, Florida, and almost went to France. One day the department heads at Disney held a meeting and told them if they could get rid of all of them that day, they would.

As you can guess, they were farmed out to sub contractors who used to work at Disney to do the same work for less and without benefits. He did that for a few years until he got some backers he met in China to fund his company to compete with the guys who screwed him out of his job.

It's really off putting to think that he had to get Chinese backers to do American work, but it freed him up to do it his way. I would say it's a funny way to do things but it's really sad that it has come to this.

All the best,
Nonoise

Rja,
Yes, up until the Civil War, all government revenues were paid for by taxes and tariffs on imports and about half until the 1st World War.

Steve,
I've heard of Ellen Brown from the Thom Hartmann show where she sometimes offers her latest views. Quite the thinker that lady.

Marakentz,
The savings of labor (typically 5% of product) is only one aspect of the nickel and dime act we endure. The cost of shipping back usually ends up in a wash. The major savings (according to a Bain co-worker of Romney who headed offshoring of labor) comes from avoiding environmental standards, medical benefits, pensions and safety standards. It seems we Americans have it too safe and easy for their tastes.

All the best,
Nonoise

Don't get me started on cable companies. My bill was going to go from around $130/month to over $200 for the very same service. I had to call customer retention and argue for many a minute until I got a supervisor who very quickly and politely gave me the same service for $15 more per month. Getting that supervisor was more difficult than in the past. Persevere folks, persevere.

What we now have are telecommunication cartels that carve up territory and block any and all competition. What I pay $145/month for I can get in France for about $45/month because they allow competition. Who would have thought? Aren't we told that competition and "free markets" are what drive this economy?

Please.

All the best,
Nonoise

Amen. It's pay for play on a national scale. Politicians are for sale and gladly prostitute themselves for the right price. Local competition is a thing of the past. Monopolies kill off competition and jobs.

What we, as a nation need, is another Teddy Roosevelt (the Trust Buster) to tackle those who would subvert this economy to their own ends. It's the same old story as before: history is repeating itself.

It kills me to think that someone as evil and pernicious as Murdoch will end up owing the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times if the FCC allows barriers to cross ownership in media markets to end. That will be the one of the final nails in the coffin, so to speak. Those who control the "news" controls opinion.

Countries have borders and boundaries. They should be honored and protected. "Global Economy" is nothing more than a catch phrase used to fool and justify those who don't care to take a closer look. Trade should always be encouraged, shops built overseas, if needed, for foreign markets if local shops can't meet foreign demand, and treaties made to allow it.

To undermine and dismantle one's nation and economy and destroy the infrastructure of its citizens so an oligarchy can enrich itself on a global scale is nothing short of insanity. That process subverts the very concept of a nation. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done. Examples abound.

It's a pathology in a shiny wrapping with a beautiful bow atop. These actors are nothing more than sociopaths with high level addictions. It's time for that 12 step program to kick in.

All the best,
Nonoise