Stewster
Ventura
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
The true problem with the "global economy" is that the workers in China are working for pennies on the dollar, where the American worker needs to be paid a "living wage". I see no issue with being paid a living wage ... I think that is what "fair trade" is all about. So now the textile industry is gone in this country ... because China makes a shirt for 25 cents. Is it a quality shirt? Who cares ... it only costs $5. Well I care. Because I want a quality product and hopefully one that is made here. Is that too much too ask? Otherwise, the long term consequences on our economy are HUGE! Look at the growing trade deficit and the national debt. As Warren Buffet put it, "We are being colonized by purchase rather than conquest". Every day ... a little bit more, a little bit more ... another worker loses his/her job ... another American industry goes under. Look around ... it's happening. We have to ask, where does this trend end and what is the final result?
Stew
|
cableguy574
North Fort Myers, Fl.
Senior Member
Joined: 07/04/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Stew I totally agree with you. I will not even shop in Wallmart for that reason. But look how busy Wallmart is, and that is just the tip of the problem.
2006 National Sea Breeze 3860 XL
2004 Honda Element Toad/Brake Buddy
JUST Me & My wife & 3 dogs  our pictures
FMCA 387898
A member of NUTS
|
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/06/2003
View Profile
|
Sanchez_315er wrote:...and a country where safety to the consumer appears to be the last of their concerns. I have the feeling that formaldehyde from FEMA trailers could pale in comparison to what the Chinese could come up with.
Good point can you say LEAD everything maybe that is why it weighs so much!
Maybe they should sell these things in Chernobyl (SP?) with all paint in China having lead in it the TT should block out the radiation right?
Don
Perrysburg Dodgeboy
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab SLT Cummins HO
2005 Keystone Cougar 304 BHS
pics
|
Stewster
Ventura
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Hey gang ... wanted to give you a quick follow to this. I got a call from the fine folks at Oliver thanking me for the comments about their TT. Now I don't work for them ... and I don't get a dime for the mention. Nothing. I just happen to believe that they make a fine product ... I took a full tour of their trailer when I was in Quartzsite this past January and was very impressed. And as I mentioned above, their product is made in the USA. I think it is high time for Americans to promote products made here. It just seems like common sense to me.
Do you think the Chinese would have called me if I had said something about their TT?
Stew
|
Pete D
Washington
Senior Member
Joined: 11/19/2005
View Profile
|
I'm going to jokingly put a different perspective on it -- Do you think the Chinese would bother you at home with a thinly disguised sales call?
BTW, I own an American-built RV.
1998 Ranger 4.0 4x4
1991 Scamp 13'
|
|
|
Stewster
Ventura
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
They don't have to. As Warren Buffett put it ... "We are being colonized by purchase rather than conquest." Check this out ... just a partial list.
Percentage of US Consumption Spent on Foreign Imported Goods
Bureau of Economic Analysis, USITC Interactive Tariff and Trade DataWeb
Data Current as of February 23, 2007
Percentage of Annual US Consumption
Spent on Imports By Product
Percent Dollar ($mm)
Import Import
Consumption Consumption
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 2005 2004 2005 2004
Footwear 92% 90% $17,590 $16,181
Audio and video equipment 90% 87% $40,967 $37,961
Other leather products 90% 86% $6,883 $6,151
Leather and hide tanning 89% 75% $2,343 $2,209
Computer equipment 79% 59% $78,404 $73,733
Apparel accessories 75% 67% $4,623 $4,350
Apparel 75% 67% $68,576 $64,870
Commercial and service industry machinery 58% 49% $15,186 $13,715
|
CKNSLS
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 07/20/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
cableguy574 wrote:Stew I totally agree with you. I will not even shop in Wallmart for that reason. But look how busy Wallmart is, and that is just the tip of the problem.
Was in J.C. Penny last week with the wife. She was looking at a purse. It was made in China. No matter where you shop, you are going to find it very difficult not buying Chinese or some other third world country. Are you not going to buy products made in Thailand because they have Child sex slavery? How about many of the trucks towing fivers and trailers, they are made in Mexico? Yea, Mexico is not communist per se, but it's pretty darn close, when you have the majority of the country poor and the wealth controlled by a very small group.
While I admire your statement...it's not very practical!!
|
Stewster
Ventura
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
We are Americans ... we always find a way. For every product out there, you can find one made in the USA. I find it hard to believe that we just throw in the towel and admit defeat. That has never happened in our nation's history.
|
CKNSLS
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 07/20/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
Stewster wrote:We are Americans ... we always find a way. For every product out there, you can find one made in the USA. I find it hard to believe that we just throw in the towel and admit defeat. That has never happened in our nation's history.
I don't know if you can find a comparable product that is not made in a foreign country. I have heard (but don't know if it is true) that there are not any televisions sets made domestically anymore. But let's say there is one or two manufacturers that do.
You may be an exception, but the vast majority of people will not specifically seek out those two manufacturers. While it may or may not be short sighted, people are much too busy in their lives to seek out such details. This is the truth.
I give you an example - you cannot buy a 13" ST trailer tire made in the U.S. You are not going to find one.
|
Stewster
Ventura
Senior Member
Joined: 02/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
So you conclude then that we give up ... and forget about competing with foreign goods and imports? Do you realize what the long term consequences are for our economy ... not to mention what that means for future generations of Americans? In effect, we will have been colonized as Warren Buffett puts it. I can't believe that all Americans can go willingly down that path given our proud history and our entrepreneurial spirit. THAT is not the America I grew up in and know so well.
|
|
|
