Only in America

Les Howington

New member
Only in America.......

ONLY IN AMERICA

Regarding Layoffs in the USA

Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN
JAPAN)for 6 a.m.

While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his
electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN
SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN
KOREA).

After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA)
he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he
could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the
radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) and continued
his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.

At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided to
relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured
himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN
INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job
in.....AMERICA.....


:confused:
 
Funny, in college in and econ class we studied that very thing. Way back when and I don’t know if its still true the united states purchased the most VCRs on the planet. Yet no American companies made VCRs in the USA. Only one company that was American owned made TVs (zenith)

Its true we have become a service oriented country, good are no longer being made and farming is big business.


Cars and things are being made south of the boarder and electronics are being made anywhere but here.

We will find our selves one day all out of work if that keeps up.
 
Here goes Jon again!!

One reason so many companies leave here for South of the Boarder and other points East is labor cost.

Ok before I say one thing more I was in the Teamsters Union for over 20 years so not anti-union.

However it is in many ways do to the unions demanding more and higher paychecks year in and year out for the workers which in turn means higher union dues.

All that money has to come from someplace, us the consumer who also is the union person making that item.

Then we have all the laws that say you cannot paint the furniture here unless you keep all the fumes inside, do not pollute, you cannot paint that car/truck here unless you do not spoil the air etc.

Is it no wonder they relocate to places that do not require millions be spent to make a $10.00 toast that sells for $45.00 and up?

There are still things assemblied in America, key word assemblied, take the Harley Davidson motorcyle, it is NOT all American made as they claim, parts come from Asian countries just like all the other things.

Japanese cars are assemblied here in America, and I hate to say this are not the same as the ones built in Japan, when we bought our Toyota we insisted on one from Japan having learned that they take more care in assembling them there.

Sad but true, the American work force is more profit oriented then quality oriented.

I think the one exception would be the airplanes, I would hope all parts in them are American made for the quality and safety.

Nough said now pound me if you feel I am wrong, I can dish it out so I can take it in too.
 
Just a point Jon I never said VCRs where not being made here. I’m sure Toyota makes cars in Tennessee. Is Toyota and American company? That was all i was trying to say.

now I’m sure what you said is true. do i agree with your ideals, thats another story.

A teamster, You Jon? Great beny's

I you don’t need any medical ins. after 20 years. That’s something all us pressure washers are hating. When we are all done and ready to retire we will be on private policies still.
 
Ron,

This post was not intended as a complaining type post.

Just that so much of what is called American made is imported and assemblied here, not manufactured here.

Medical insurance from the Teamsters, unfortunately not one of the benefits offered from my union but I dream of that day coming, I do get an anuity.
 
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Jon,
You are so right!
And regarding cars.....many manufacturers do not have corporate ownership where you might think.... Toyota is not held in Japan any longer as I recall, but I believe Chrysler is. Personally, as long as it's put together here I really don't care who the engineer is who designed it, or where they live. I want a safe car regardless of if a German, an American, or someone from Japan engineered it.

Going back to that econ class (and actually, marketing class as I recall) for a moment....
One reason we have seen such growth overseas where things such as radios, vcr's etc., are concerned is because after World War II the US dumped a boatload of money overseas, basically rebuilding what it blew up. We knew then, or perhaps I should say the govt. bet, that the American companies here which got ignored and badly needed retooling would make it, that as the determined country we are, we would survive. What happened is we created a global marketplace where all countries could compete on equal footing. The vision, is for mass distribution. We lead the way and have for a long time in many ways, and believe it or not we have come from behind since then and have long since surpassed the technologies we helped to grow overseas.

We are Americans. We are innovators. We don't feel sorry for ourselves, we don't pout. We do. The rest of the globe looks to us, the United States of America to set the pace globally. And as a matter of who we are, we do this naturally.

I am proud to be an American, and even more proud of the roots of my family who helped found this great nation, and helped to write its Constitution, Bill of Right, and Declaration of Independence.

Beth
 
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I seldom talk about my truly personal side but might as well bring up another reason America is not so much "built in America" anymore.

First thing I read in the morning is the business section of the Los Angeles Times, second only to the Wall Street Journal in business reporting.

What do I see daily, another American company being sold to a foriegn business based overseas.

This time it is Xerox selling it's office equipment business to Flextronics International Ltd. based in Singapore.

Business after business is business sold to overseas companies.

Is it any wonder why our country is in the shape it is in.

My personal feelings are we should NOT allow foreign companies to buy anymore of what is left of American businesses.
 
Jon,
Your last sentence about not letting foreign companies buy american businesses sounds good but unrealistic. It almost always comes down to MONEY when dealing with businesses.

I agree with Beth about buying from overseas if the quality is better and thats exactly whats happening. And your also getting alot more bang for your buck when dealing with some companies that are from a different country. Such as Japanese made TV's etc.

Now if lets say your Co. is worth a 100 grand and a German Co. is willing to pay you twice that amount for it then why wouldn't you sell it to them if your Co. was for sale in the first place?(Where not talking about terrorist or bad people buying your business no matter how much they are willing to give you. That is a definite NO NO).

Even though you and everyone else is feeling very Patriotic at this time in business the bottom line is and always will be quality in production with Money as the end result meaning most people will sell to the highest bidder even if that Co. that is bidding is from another country. Heck even Baseball did that. Take a look at the best team the Seattle Mariners.(This I didn't like because it is the American past time but once again its BUSINESS)

John/Clean County PW
 
Okeydokey,

No I am not talking about the terrorist and feeling bad etc.

I agree with Beth too, why we have owned Volvo's, Toyota's and Nissian which was a bummer, in for so much warranty work I dumped it after a year.

Even my Dodge Cummins is built in Mexico so I understand that.

Hell yes I would sell for twice what it is worth and even agree not to compete with the new owners:) only a fool would not sell for double the worth. (ok now no remarks since I have been called a fool before)

Like I always say about my business and what I buy the key word is "quality" indeed.

Can you just imagine that by the time my almost two year old grandson is say in his 20s there will be very few large American companies left, then what will happen, will our government as we know it also be owned and controled by those overseas countries?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are also owned now by big business.
Yes the American enjoyment is truly becoming big business, in fact am I not wrong in saying only a couple of baseball teams are still privately owned?

Ah do I ever love this type of chats, something different where I can show the better half of ME:)
 

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Regardless of where the company that manufactures the parts or assembles them is located, if you are walking into a store here in the US, you are supporting the USA. It's our people reporting to work in the store, and acting as partners to the manufacturers in the distribution channel. Let's not lose sight of thepicture from say, 60,000 feet up. Supply and demand. Items are built, and shipped to distributors and depending on the item, to a retail outlet from there. The exception might be if the retail outlet in question does enough business to buy direct themselves. The money, or at least a portion of it, goes into American banks, at American retail outlets, is trucked to stores by those holding drivers licenses in the USA. This os just for durable, consumable goods.

Let's talk about services, and professionals. We have the best schools, the best medical help, the best of so many things. We are a nation of professionals.

There are corporations headquartered overseas with foreign ownership, yes. You can buy their stock and invest and make your own money. Many of them employ thousands upon thousands of US workers.

I'll say it again. The USA made the global economy what it is today. We have given help and relief to numerous countries so that we could grow globally, while still maintaining an edge. Amazing.

Restrict selling companies? There are certain requirements, regulations which are strictly enforced regarding foreign ownership.

We are all about having FREEDOM. When you buy something made overseas, just remember that it may very well be that the US helped make it possible for that country to grow, prosper, and be able to do it. We are a nation which helps others. Until recently we had a amazingly low unemployment rate. If we compare ours to that in other countries, we probably still do.

Am I proud of this country? You betcha. More than you could ever know.

Beth
 
It's not about patriotism per se, however when people talk about buying american many tend to associate patriotism with the purchase of goods and more specifically, where they are produced regardless of if the topic had to do with economics and marketing or not......


Beth
 
Beth,

You bring up some very good points here and I agree mostly agree with you there.

Now what American banks, they too are mostly owned by Japanese banks now even if the name has not changed.

Yes there are still some American owned banks but not many and not for much longer.

Now what young lady?

Gosh I love this type of banter, helps keep my mind sharp:)
 
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Well, It's not necessarily a bad thing. Look at Europe for a moment. Historically each country had it's own currency. It's not until recently that Europe agreed to unify and came up with one - the eurodollar. This is just one step that I think we will take globally, one of many. And it's a biggie. Global economy. It's here, and like the computer, it's going to stay.

The end result is jobs for more not less, and in more countries. Fewer people without medical attention, housing, food, clothes, and education. These massive corporations may be giving jobs to people abroad as well as here, but if we want to do what's right for all humankind, then what's wrong with that?

Beth
 
Ah Beth does it again!!

My dear lady, a simple question for you then my feelings on it.

Are you in favor if the USA changing to the METRIC system of measurement and money?


I am not and my reason is simple, why should we the USA always be changing to please all the other countries rather then them changing to our system since we are the leaders, we are the ones offering to help them as soon as something happens in their country.

Ok it is harder for the older generation to learn something like the metric system but that is not my point, my point is the USA always seems to give in and change to the others way of doing things.

The only exception is all the other countries but Mexico require students to learn English, it is a required class if you wish to graduate. (I would exclude some Middle East Countries)
 
Hi Jon,
It's not a matter of being in favor with one thing over the other. That's not what my post was about. Was I unclear? I'm sorry if I was. My point was just that there are certain milestones we are reaching on a global scale. I used the eurodollar as an example of that. Considering the number of countries populating such a small area of the globe, I thought it made sense...they are already all metric over there. Another example might be the wall in Berlin coming down. Now that was the beginning of a new era for a whole other standpoint.

Am I in favor of changing currency? Can't say that at this time in history I think it would be the right thing for us to do, but that is not to say that in the future it won't be. If it ever comes up for a vote, you can bet I'll think it over and case a ballot though.

You're right. This is a great way to get the gears moving upstairs. I always enjoy these exchanges, Jon! :) :)

Beth
 
We have one of the strongest economies in the world with a very high standard of living and on top of that we feed half the world. I was in agreement with Beth until she mentions the World Economy as a standard of currency. What that says is that we reduce our high standard to pull up the poorer countries. Now the world leaders will say that this is not the purpose of the plan. But you can rest assure it will be the results.

This is not to say that this is some sinister plot, but indeed it is the result of liberal idealism along with creeping social engineering. This engineering refers to the attitude that third world economy can mingle with stronger economies with both being the better. Common sense would tell one that to bring this nation into the world econ. pit is ridicules. We must live within the world community we just don't have to reduce our standards to the level of the third world. It can be argued very well that our tax system has the effect of spreading the wealth, with the result of a overburden middle class-a good example of world wealth.


David
 
David,
I think you had better reread my posts. I most certainly did NOT say I was in favor of one global currency. I did say that in the case of Europe it made sense, and it does for them. So many europeans cross a multitude of borders to work and live, and it simplifies their lives.

I did say that we have set the standard on a global scale. I also said at this time I didn't think one currency would be best. I also said that in the future I could not say how I would feel. I don't have a crystal ball, none of us does, and I will not speculate as to what could/will/ or won't happen in the future and how it will effect things. I'll wait until is it up for a vote.

We are not lowering our standards. Other countries and their peoples are raising thiers. Many, many years ago we came to America as immigrants. We all did, unless you are 100% American Indian. The people of other countries continue today what our ancestors did many years ago. They are coming to America to earn a living, to get an education and to create lives for themselves and thier families. We welcome them with open arms.

Social engineering can be argued on many levels. Do you want to start with on a National level, or a Global level? Social engineering exists at both levels, in all countries.......

Beth
:)
 
I didn't say anything about ancestry or open borders. When it comes to the borders and issues of the INS, we are looking at the problem that have been created by those who feel we have nothing to fear from the Third World. Example for INS National Security can be seen in the headlines of the past very weeks.

The government can find the taxpayers fast, but those that are of a threat they can't, even when they have the Visa info. Once they are in, these people have free reign. Our system works very well, and that is why we are targets.

I am just venting, I have fought my war and I am not sure me have gained much, if any-we just keep making the same mistakes and the policy makers are not held responsible for issues under their control. We just pay the tab-next in line!!!

David
 
Ah yes....the problems associated with....anyone? anyone? Beaurocracy! We're big but we could use some improvement. But then, all countries and all people in their own ways could improve. We live our lives in a constant state of trying to improve.

I agree that all too often we repeat in many ways, events which should not have to be repeated. As our children grow, and theirs grow as well, sometimes the lessons we have learned are lost and then painfully remembered when they didn't have to be learned all over again the hard way.

I still don't think we are on the same page with regard to part of what I posted...I wasn't talking about immigration either, I was actually making a point that American is attractive to non-Americans because of what we have to offer. Maybe that's a better way to put it. Sorry David, but sometimes the writer in me gets going and just keeps typing. :)

I will say that this whole thing...the terrorism....well, let's just say that I find myself thinking way back... I'm remembering World War II. I wasn't around for it, but my father served, and used to have to disarm underwater mines. He used to tell my mom he was a cook so she wouldn't worry. Then as the story goes, he told her whenhe was safely home. I know how I would feel if I had to worry about Rod out doing that. Heck, I worry enough when he goes up a ladder.

I'm glad it's Friday.

Beth
:)
 
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