Made in America

[RoyGBiv]

We have a faint shadow of the industry available that we had during WWI & WWII.

You're kidding right?

Wikipedia, but it seems close to what I've read if not right on:

"Below is a list of countries by Industrial output in 2010. Output is in millions of US$.

Rank Country Output

1 United States - 3,239,374
2 China - 2,756,903
3 Japan - 1,359,259
4 Germany - 921,749
5 Brazil - 560,204
6 Russia - 539,149
7 Italy - 519,944
8 United Kingdom - 489,945
9 France - 477,767
10 Canada - 413,975"

Here's the chart... Employment and Output charts over-layed.
One word... PRODUCTIVITY.


Source: http://mercatus.org/publication/us-manu ... utput-vs-j" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Also: http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/current/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Money will be invested where it can earn the most (or at least a fair and predictable) profit....
Let's not lose sight of the word PREDICTABLE.

Random thought....
I have NEVER been offered a full time job where my wages would be paid by a poor person.
It would be a huge mistake to vilify the pursuit of profit. That would be called Socialism or Communism. Doesn't work long term.
The pursuit of profit at the expense of all other things poses it's own problems as well, but that's another thread.

So..... What are we talking about then?
Job creation in the USA.

Reality:
1. Global communication is fast and cheap.
2. Global transportation is faster and cheaper than ever.
3. Barriers to trade are, overall, the lowest they've ever been.
4. Investments will go where there is more profit to be made.
5. Western Europe, US, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan, etc enjoy a high standard of living and high (relative) wages.
6. Much of Asia, Eastern Europe and India have lower standards of living and commensurately lower wages.

So... If I have some cash and an idea to start a business making widgets, what is the most profitable thing to do?
Produce my widget in a low-wage country and sell it in a high wage country, DUH.!

Just like.... WalMart, Target, IBM, HP, ------> everyone.....

This is a fact... No point in arguing about it, or feeling bad about it... It's just fact.
Money will seek the highest return. And that's a good thing.... but sometimes painful to those impacted.

The question we should be asking is.... "What can we do to stem the flow of jobs away from the USA and create new jobs here too?"

There is no single solution. Many things need to happen but the reality is that nothing will stop the flow of jobs that can be done (competently) for less wage from moving to a lower wage employee. Anything done to artificially halt this flow is only temporary. The solution...?

Reduce the cost of doing business in the USA.

Tax reform
Reduce regulations
Change the role of government back to "Keeping us safe and maintaining a level playing field" and get them out of the business of "Picking Winners".
Stem the tide of illegal immigration, purge the country of people who arrived here illegally, stop supporting illegal residents with taxpayer dollars.

Just a start... there's lots more we can do to make us a more desirable place for job creation.

[tacticool]

It's like Reagan said. Government is not the solution to the problem. Government is the problem.

[koolaid]

It's like Reagan said. Government is not the solution to the problem. Government is the problem.

I would say more of the problem is that our continued system of only two parties has reduced political discourse to arbitrary team cheering and completely eliminated nuance from general political discussion or opinion.

Because your quote if taken to its ultimate conclusion is current day Somalia and a return to feudal warlordism, which is what happens basically everywhere in the absence of government.

[tacticool]

Sorry but I'm not drinking that koolaid.

[koolaid]

Sorry but I'm not drinking that koolaid.

A meaningless quip that essentially proves my point.

[OldCurlyWolf]

Sorry but I'm not drinking that koolaid.

A meaningless quip that essentially proves my point.

Actually it says that your opinion is worth ignoring.

[The Annoyed Man]

I drive a vehicle that was entirely made in Japan, so perhaps I'm not one to talk.... but even "made in America" doesn't really count if it really just means "assembled in America." When I was a kid, the Big Three in detroit didn't just assemble the cars on their factory floors; they bought car body parts from other domestic American manufacturers, electronic and engine peripherals from still other manufacturers, wheels, sparkplugs, and upholstery from still other American manufacturers, etc., etc., etc.

My son's Pontiac G8 GT has an LS2/LS3 motor made in the U.S., and a body and chassis made in Australia, and was "hecho in Mexico." Until we get back to the point where domestic manufacturers use domestically manufactured parts and subassemblies, we'll never get back to where we used to be. Global economies are all well and good, but look at what manufacturers from other countries are doing. Are BMWs manufactured in Germany still being delivered with Bosch spark plugs? I can tell you that my made-in-Japan Pathfinder was delivered with Nippon Denso spark plugs.

When it comes time to replace my Pathfinder (hopefully never), I will likely try to buy American first, but I have to say right up front that I'll never buy a GM so long as A) the federal government remains a stock holder, and B) their union continues to get the "screw-the-taxpayer" sweet deal. I refuse to be a party to that kind of corruption. And I won't buy junk, regardless of how patriotic it might be to do so. I can't afford junk.

The Japanese manufacturers got their foot in the door in the U.S. by offering more economical products with superior quality and reliability at that price point. The Big Three had taken the American consumer for granted for far too long, and it pretty much caught up with them. I remember when it became common knowledge that all three practiced an obsolescence cycle of only 6 years. I remember thinking that was highway robbery. You buy the second most expensive purchase of your life, and the builder PLANNED for it to only last 6 years? That's when I quit giving a rip what happened to the Big Three.

Rolls Royce built cars that came with a lifetime warranty. Sure, they cost more, but the fact is that one Rolls Royce back then would cost you less over your lifetime than a whole series of worn out American cars. Now, not everybody then or now can afford the buy-in for a Rolls. But, when an American manufacturer deliberately plans for your car to fall apart within the time frame that you'll still be making payments on it, that is unconscionable. They don't deserve your business if that is their business model, because screwing the customer is just as unAmerican as buying imports.

Now, when it comes time to replace my vehicle, if I can get an American vehicle comparable to my Pathfinder (2002), with 4 wheel drive, adequate power and adequate room, that will still be running reliably at 130K+ miles and 9 years later with low maintenance requirements, I'd be very interested. Maybe by then my Pathfinder might have 260K on the clock.

TAM, your 2002 Pathfinder was manufactured in Smyra, Tennesee. The engine and transmission were likely made in Decherd, Tn as well. Now, I'm not saying that EVERYTHING in your Pathfinder in US made, but the chassis, panels drive-train and assembly were.

Nope, you'd be wrong about that. It is true that some 2002 Pathfinders were made in Smyrna, and some were manufactured in Japan and imported fully assembled and ready for the dealerships. They are distinguishable one from the other by the VIN numbers. The Japanese ones have a different string of characters that clearly identifies them as Japanese made. Every single time I take mine to the dealership for service, they look surprised at the VIN number, and then inform me that mine was actually built in Japan. I tell them, "I know. Every dealership I've ever had it to has had exactly the same reaction. When I bought it, I was informed that mine was Japanese built, and that the Japanese built ones are more desireable." And they always tell me, "That's right." So now you know too.

[koolaid]

Sorry but I'm not drinking that koolaid.

A meaningless quip that essentially proves my point.

Actually it says that your opinion is worth ignoring.

Insightful.

[PBratton]

I drive a vehicle that was entirely made in Japan, so perhaps I'm not one to talk.... but even "made in America" doesn't really count if it really just means "assembled in America." When I was a kid, the Big Three in detroit didn't just assemble the cars on their factory floors; they bought car body parts from other domestic American manufacturers, electronic and engine peripherals from still other manufacturers, wheels, sparkplugs, and upholstery from still other American manufacturers, etc., etc., etc.

My son's Pontiac G8 GT has an LS2/LS3 motor made in the U.S., and a body and chassis made in Australia, and was "hecho in Mexico." Until we get back to the point where domestic manufacturers use domestically manufactured parts and subassemblies, we'll never get back to where we used to be. Global economies are all well and good, but look at what manufacturers from other countries are doing. Are BMWs manufactured in Germany still being delivered with Bosch spark plugs? I can tell you that my made-in-Japan Pathfinder was delivered with Nippon Denso spark plugs.

When it comes time to replace my Pathfinder (hopefully never), I will likely try to buy American first, but I have to say right up front that I'll never buy a GM so long as A) the federal government remains a stock holder, and B) their union continues to get the "screw-the-taxpayer" sweet deal. I refuse to be a party to that kind of corruption. And I won't buy junk, regardless of how patriotic it might be to do so. I can't afford junk.

The Japanese manufacturers got their foot in the door in the U.S. by offering more economical products with superior quality and reliability at that price point. The Big Three had taken the American consumer for granted for far too long, and it pretty much caught up with them. I remember when it became common knowledge that all three practiced an obsolescence cycle of only 6 years. I remember thinking that was highway robbery. You buy the second most expensive purchase of your life, and the builder PLANNED for it to only last 6 years? That's when I quit giving a rip what happened to the Big Three.

Rolls Royce built cars that came with a lifetime warranty. Sure, they cost more, but the fact is that one Rolls Royce back then would cost you less over your lifetime than a whole series of worn out American cars. Now, not everybody then or now can afford the buy-in for a Rolls. But, when an American manufacturer deliberately plans for your car to fall apart within the time frame that you'll still be making payments on it, that is unconscionable. They don't deserve your business if that is their business model, because screwing the customer is just as unAmerican as buying imports.

Now, when it comes time to replace my vehicle, if I can get an American vehicle comparable to my Pathfinder (2002), with 4 wheel drive, adequate power and adequate room, that will still be running reliably at 130K+ miles and 9 years later with low maintenance requirements, I'd be very interested. Maybe by then my Pathfinder might have 260K on the clock.

TAM, your 2002 Pathfinder was manufactured in Smyra, Tennesee. The engine and transmission were likely made in Decherd, Tn as well. Now, I'm not saying that EVERYTHING in your Pathfinder in US made, but the chassis, panels drive-train and assembly were.

Nope, you'd be wrong about that. It is true that some 2002 Pathfinders were made in Smyrna, and some were manufactured in Japan and imported fully assembled and ready for the dealerships. They are distinguishable one from the other by the VIN numbers. The Japanese ones have a different string of characters that clearly identifies them as Japanese made. Every single time I take mine to the dealership for service, they look surprised at the VIN number, and then inform me that mine was actually built in Japan. I tell them, "I know. Every dealership I've ever had it to has had exactly the same reaction. When I bought it, I was informed that mine was Japanese built, and that the Japanese built ones are more desireable." And they always tell me, "That's right." So now you know too.

TAM, you are right, the VIN tells the tale. I wasn't aware that some slipped in from Japan during that time. Drive it 'til it stops drivin'.

[The Annoyed Man]

TAM, you are right, the VIN tells the tale. I wasn't aware that some slipped in from Japan during that time. Drive it 'til it stops drivin'.

You bet I'm going to. I love this car. I bought it used in 2004 with 47K on the clock. It was a lease turn-in, and other than the mileage, it was like brand new in appearance and condition. It sold new for around $33K with the options I have on it, and I paid $19.5K for it. I've got 134K on the clock now, and it runs like a champ. I'm going to drive it 'til the doors fall off.

[tbrown]

A meaningless quip that essentially proves my point.

Actually it says that your opinion is worth ignoring.

Insightful.

If a meaningless quip proves your point.....

[Dragonfighter]

yea look at craftsmans hand tools. they used to be made in the usa. look at the sticker on the bright chrome wrenches (made in china) but it says USA stamped in the metal. <SNIP>

Union of Socialist Asians?

[Toorop]

American Flags are made in China.
Fortune cookies are made in America.

Something's wrong.

TO be fair fortune cookies are an American invention that was falsely attributed to the Chinese in order to make the restaurants a little more exotic.

[Dave2]

American Flags are made in China.
Fortune cookies are made in America.

Something's wrong.

TO be fair fortune cookies are an American invention that was falsely attributed to the Chinese in order to make the restaurants a little more exotic.

That's true. Apparently someone thought that fish eye soup wasn't "exotic" enough on its own.

[alvins]

yea look at craftsmans hand tools. they used to be made in the usa. look at the sticker on the bright chrome wrenches (made in china) but it says USA stamped in the metal. look at the old style wrenches they sell. Those are stamped "made in usa" in the metal. biggest scam around.

And they USED to be guaranteed for life. But I don't think they are any more... I have some ratchet wrenches that need replacing I've had since I was a teenager. Wonder if they still replace them?

yes but there power tools are not lifetime warranty.and it depends on the sales men. I found a wrench snapped in half a few months ago in the road and i picked it up. they gave me a new one.