Manufacturing continued

[610Alpha]

I thought I should start a separate thread so that the back yard gardening thread doesn't get hijacked by off topic discussion.

Klayton had a great example with Zenith. The opponents of Free Trade Agreements want us to believe its for American companies to ship Manufacturing jobs to other countries, in reality it is the opposite. My company has seen a significant increase in exports to every country that has signed a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. My company also exports more product than it sells here in the U.S. so it is good for us to have FTA with other countries especially the developing ones that are growing in double digit rates.

[Klayton]

There is only one problem with the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It is NOT really free trade.

Let me explain. We currently do NOT have a cap on the number of automobiles Japan (and other countries for that matter) import to the US. Yes we have a Tariff on them (a tax). But that is how it is suppose to be right? So why then is their a cap on importing US automobiles into Japan? Some countries all but forbid US automobiles to be imported. My sister-in-law cannot take posession of my old Jeep until it is atleast 10 years old, she lives in Mexico.

Next, the tariff itself. The tariff (or tax) on our automobiles in Japan is so high, it is literally a status symbol to own a Jeep or a HUMMER (picture how we look at Porsche owners in comparison). Yet when we threaten to raise tariff on their imports, capitalists are crucified by liberals. But the same people arguing against larger tariffs, to balance the playing field, are the one's living off the government subsidy programs.

I do like going to wally world and stocking up on $3 shirts and pants (kids) and $5 shirts (adults) for my stockpile for SHTF storage. But I do know of the imbalance of China in their current FTA with the US. Now I use to buy stuff on sale at Kmart before wally world became the mega store it is, how many of you remember blue light specials? The downside to wally world is that they ARE the largest importer of chinese products, nobody even comes close to wally world in this area.

I bring up wally world in the manufacturing thread but I see them as the final part of a manufacturing process, the retailer.
But alas, all the "low prices" could be a thing of the past if the government FORCES union representation at wally world.
Now I know, I must be cold hearted right, I don't want to give the greeter $20/hr how evil of me. But come on people, if you do your research, the minimum wage has all but crushed the job market for the teenagers seeking employment. Every time they raise it, thats XX many jobs that McDonald's or some other "starting job" company cant hire someone for.

Then do your research, compare how much a teenager could buy if they saved up all their money from their part time summer job say in 1950, and compare it to how much they could buy for the same hours of labor with the current minimum wage job.

The number one thing responsible for HURTING American Manufacturing is unions and their never ending demands, followed closely by government mandates. If you think unions are a good thing, then let me ask you this. Are you raising your kids that they have the RIGHT to demand, not ask, but demand more income from the very people that are giving them a job? What if I change the scenario and put YOU on the spot? What if all the kids in your city got together, perhaps while eating their free taxpayer school breakfast or lunch, and decide to DEMAND you the parent start paying them $50 a week for allowance? NO? You will NOT? Then Mommy and Daddy, I will send you to jail. How you say? I will call 9-1-1 and tell the police officers that you force me to get naked everyday while you touch my pee pee.... How about that mom and dad!?!?! Doesn't sound fair does it? Who do you think they will take sides with? You will LOSE everything because you refuse to pay the extra money, or will you buckle under the fear of what the government and legal system will do to you?

OK, sorry thread is getting really long, sorry about that all. Just get upset when I see college kids rioting and vandalising property because they dont want to pay more in tuition. Tired of seeing GM employees getting a fatter paycheck than military who puts their lives on the line, every month. JUST TIRED OF IT!

[610Alpha]

@Klayton - I understand your frustration. I remember how much a porsche cost inn germany compared to what i would pay for it in the states, it was roughly 1/3 of what I would have paid for it in the states.

Excellent point about the greeter! Wal-Mart used to sell only American made when Sam ran it but now his kids are running the show and well we can see how long that lasted.

[Klayton]

@elittle: I did not know that about walmart when Sam ran it. :) Thanks for the 411, I can never have enough of it. :)