How America Lost Its Industrial Edge

Insight on the News - Issue: 06/24/03 ^ | 11/9/03 | cp124

[RaceBannon]

You are confusing a few things, while you make a few good points.

My sister works for Honda. Those windows you make here, stay here for American Honda, that is what I was told.

As for Farmers, most didnt need the larger farms or massive workers due to mechanical progress since 1900, the plows, combines, fertilizers, etc. Frewer people ran larger farms.

And many of us worked boring manufacturing jobs, only we didnt starve doing it. We made good money. Reagan was good for manufacturing up here in Ct. We had a boom unseen before or since.

As for being unskilled and on an assembly line, that already passed awway, only guess what? It passed out the country, also. I know of only a few companies that I have worked for that still have assembly lines in the US, one is Duracell who I work for now, as a temp (as usual), who ALMOST moved their entire line to China...until SARS kicked up!

Never thought I'd be glad for a plague!

[Glenn]

cutting costs by taking advantage of a concept called the division of labor is stupid

It is clear to me you have little understanding of the history of the transfer of knowledge from the United States to the rest of the world. There is no sense in arguing the point with you for that reason.

If you are so narrow minded that you cannot examine the one-sided contracts where a few people took the money and ran, leaving our economy holding the bag, then you understand little about greed as well.

China, Japan, et al, have, in effect, "nationalized" our assets for the benefit of a few. That's acceptable to you. It is not to me. Countries exist for the good of the citizens. If not, let's just disband them.

[VRWC For Truth]

That article laments the death of Socialism and points out that government is the problem, but it's solution is MORE government? Where's your tinfoil hat?

[Willie Green]

You don't want to put in the extra effort to reduce costs and are comfortable with the status quo. Who cares about costs and quality for consumers - you just don't want to compete!

Au Contraire! I'm extremely competitive!
The motto of my chosen profession is "Work Smarter, Not Harder"...

And Frederick W. Taylor, Frank & Lillian Gilbreth, and W. Edwards Deming are just a few of my professional heroes and role models.
It's just that I don't like trying to compete when my own government has shackled and blindfolded me. T'ain't cricket.

until you get clocked in the jaw from a sharp right hook.

((((sigh)))
Nasty name calling, deliberate misrepresentation of my views on issues, etc, etc, are all tactics that I can largely ignore.
But threats of physical violence?
Nah, I think I'll let the Viking Kitties pass judgement on that one.
Not that I'm much intimidated by your adolescent bravado.
It's just that there's a general consensus among the more civilized members of this forum that such threats are inappropriate, and the rules governing such displays should be adhered to.
We shouldn't leave you with the impression that you can get away with such baiting tactics.

Let the Viking Kitties rule as they may!
As far as I'm concerned, you've made it to my own personal "ignore list". You're just not worth it.

[A. Pole]

but it's solution is MORE government?

Not more governmment, but different government policy. When the competitors and the rest of the world has economical policies (stupid or wise, harmful of beneficial) in America the free market fundamentalist, hands off doctrine prevailed. Same way as it did in England at the end of XIXc.

The hand of the market is not only invisible, it is also blind. Human intelligence and responsibility cannot be abdicated in favor of inanimate processes or objects.

"And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand."(Isa:44:18-19)

[dirtydanusa]

Even the Japanese cars are made in the USA. For example Honda's sold in the USA are made in a huge plant in Marysville, Ohio. Honda plants in the USA employ 24,000 people in manufacturing and its dealers employ another 120,000 Americans.

Better rephrase this comment, substitute "made" with the word "Assembled". The effect on the American economy would be much greater if they were "made" here. This plant is merely Americans putting tab A into Flap B. It is cheaper for the Japs to import parts to assemble them here then it is to import a whole car. Now, if the parts were made here, you'd have something. This goes for the TOYota plant in Tennessee. None of the parts in these cars are made in U.S.A. so get that American flag off your Toyota and stop making believe you support American workers.

[Norse]

Wasn't a threat. It was a fact of what would happen if you decided to pursue a certain course of action. And I see you're just another tattle tale.

>It's just that I don't like trying to compete when my own >government has shackled and blindfolded me.

Fine, but that has nothing to do with free trade and everything to do with other policies.

[cp124]

Grand Opening Sale in Norsetown, PA

Traitor Jacks Factory Outlet
Direct From the Chicom Great Wall Mart Factory

And as always...no tarrifs....no regulations.....no import fees.

*CD Players --- 2 for $5
*Bootleg CD's, Videos, Software --- 2 for $2
*American Flags --- $1
*New Chicom Economy Car "The Chia Pet" --- $575
*In the US Army/Navy Section --- Factory Reconditioned Missles (have only been disassemble and reassembled once)
*US Monetary $20 Bill Reproductions --- $10
*FREE- Posters signed by Chicom pilots that forced US Aircraft to land.

We take US Food Stamps. No questions Asked.

[JohnSmithee]

"Europe and Japan are toast."

ROFL.

Where do you people come from...?

[JohnSmithee]

"This article is trash - people like cp believe anything they read."

Please point out the "trash" in this article. It's fairly straightforward and is supported by the existing evidence. Is there something in particular you object to?

[Norse]

Really original, too bad you can't argue your point

[Jorge]

American companies like Motorola and Intel invariably chose to license Japanese companies to do such second sourcing, on the theory that the Japanese were incapable of eating America's lunch.

Turned out they were right. After all.

[JohnSmithee]

"Now, if I am a company and I want to manufacture goods in another country for any reason, I HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT."

This is simply wrong.

"It's called freedom. It's called capitalism. And no government or state has the right to tell me that I cannot."

Is this a troll of some kind, or are you irrationally waxing poetic about Capitalism -- at least your conception of it.

[JohnSmithee]

"I'm not a traitor if I recognize NO obligation to provide you a well paying job. You earn your way in this life. You need to butch up your attitude and bolster your arsenal of productive skills and expertise."

Try getting away from FR, learn a skill and don't expect me or anyone else to provide you employment. Perhaps if you worked a bit harder and got some education you wouldn't lash out at others because of your own problems.

[LurkerNoMore!]

An Arne-riffic breath of fresh air


And I'm living proof.

[ArneFufkin]

None of the parts in these cars are made in U.S.A. so get that American flag off your Toyota and stop making believe you support American workers

I'll buy whatever vehicle provides me the best value, emotional satisfaction and utility. Whatever its origin of manufacturing.

I don't recall any "American Workers" helping me with my loan payments, even though UAW monkees collect around $80 grand wage/benefit/pension packages before overtime. Sorry, a $35,000 Bonneville doesn't compute. Thank God for those union-lardass American Auto Workers, quality GM and Ford automobiles might actually be priced at an insulting price of $20,000 or so.

Stay out of my money clip pal. You may now go back to fawning over your Dennis Kucinich for President poster.

[ArneFufkin]

Hi LNM! I trust you had a swingin' weekend!

KT, there is no substanitive difference in the outlook, dialogue and class-envy hot buttons employed by our 19th Century Luddite Dance Team here and ANY Kucinich, Gephardt, Bernie Sanders or Tom Harkin speech.

I'm so proud of them all. Let's make Blacksmith Anvils!

[LurkerNoMore!]

I worked all weekend.
:-)
I'm addicted to it.

[Willie Green]

Fine, but that has nothing to do with free trade and everything to do with other policies.

Free trade agreements have nothing to do with free trade either.

"We are infinitely better off without treaties of commerce with any nation."

--Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1815.

[ArneFufkin]

I think you people are pathetic.

You guys are the Rostenkowski Democrats that nobody wants.