Outsourcing the American dream for nightmare

Sidney Herald ^ | Tuesday January 17, 2006 | Ellen Robinson

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

Inspired by a reader who sent a list of once American corporations who's profits are no longer funneled to the hard-working American employee, I investigated the subject.

The clip that landed on my desk was from "America is Selling Out," published in The American Conservative, December, 2005. As I digested, emotionally charged from the publication's Web site at www.economyincrisis.org, I agreed with some of the information, discarded the sensational propaganda and extrapolated my take on the issues' raw facts.

From what I've experienced and witnessed first-hand, I consider the current state of the American economy as a politically driven "the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer" economic model.

There are too many alarming signs in our country for the politicians to actually be blindly racing the mad horse into the flaming barn as it might appear. The social-economic gaps in our nation are at record heights. In recent years, there have been more billionaires than ever, more fresh college graduates filing bankruptcy than ever and increasing numbers of the middle class economically sinking.

Sadly, this is all by design, not some directionless fluke. Since the rich are richer than ever and the most profitable corporations are breaking records, the misled reports boast positive economic growth that are not a true reflection to what has happened to the nation's work force as a result of active globalization.

The weight has gotten heavier for those who pull the load - the American population - because it's the increased sweat that fuels the skyrocketing extravagance of the filthy elite few. This is the reversal point of the American Dream into the American Nightmare.

The current American economic model seems like a reversal of Robin Hood. The big and powerful are profiting and becoming even more powerful as the comfortable livings of the endangered middle class are reallocated for the increasingly exclusive and isolated pockets of wealth hoarders.

No one who is aware will deny that the corporations who apparently are running this country are outsourcing our jobs. The rationalization for the mass outsourcing is to provide American consumers with cheaper products. It almost makes sense that consumables should be cheaper since the displaced workers no longer have the higher-paying jobs to afford historically high-quality, American-made products.

The American Dream - the belief that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity - has vanished in the atmosphere of this greed and power driven frenzy.

These days it's looking more like the American Dream is being outsourced in exchange for the American Nightmare which the vast majority of the nation's population is waking up to in this cheaper reality.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Are you talking about Tony Blair, VIP in the Socialist Internationale, and firm advocate of "free trade" and the WTO?

No, just talking about the hedgetrimmer who posts articles which quote leaders of the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, a Communist organization.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

It real dollar amount, not just before taxes and inflation.

[BlackbirdSST]

The American dream has prospered.

The article states that to be the case, for some.

In the past eight years my husband's income has increased by a third, due to his hard work and willingness to be gainfully employed while providing for a family.

That's great, for you, your husband, your family. In the last two years, I've had to take on two jobs, had three but found I needed sleep and had to give one up, my wife of 27 years had to take on a full time job for the first time in our life together, my 26 year old fresh out of the Airforce daughter, who has a full time job, had to move back in with us, and my household income is still off by one third.

We see this as a good pay off.

We don't. Blackbird.

[BlackbirdSST]

Self-pinging for later, when a Dem's in the White House and suddenly the selling out of the American worker becomes a problem again.

...and that's the bottom line. Little else needs to be said. Blackbird.

[Wolfie]

I've had to take on two jobs, had three but found I needed sleep and had to give one up, my wife of 27 years had to take on a full time job for the first time in our life together...

Well now see there? All those added jobs prove the economy is just great!

[LowCountryJoe]

Yes, the sigh is rightfully needed. Using debt for business expansion or to help in the leverage for home ownership is very, very bad.

Say, you should check out the year-over-year GDP growth rates while the U.S. has been in periods where we were exporting more than what we were importing and compare those growth rates to the periods where the opposite was happening. Free trade is the ultimate form of win-win cooperation. If you doubt this than try to make it in life by buying those things produced from just the state which you live in and only producing those things that you will only sell to your fellow residents of your state.

[in hoc signo vinces]

Then...my friend, you're an over the top irrational alarmist who needs to temper his/her comments with fact.

[A. Pole]

That's great, for you, your husband, your family. In the last two years, I've had to take on two jobs, had three but found I needed sleep and had to give one up, my wife of 27 years had to take on a full time job for the first time in our life together, my 26 year old fresh out of the Airforce daughter, who has a full time job, had to move back in with us, and my household income is still off by one third.

You example shows that economy is growing, number of jobs is growing, productivity is growing and labor costs are lower. Excellent news (for some)!

[jpsb]

bump

[hedgetrimmer]

I posted an article by the Brookings Institute too, don't forget that one.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I'm not saying ANY of this was just a walk in the park. My husband had to complete 9 1/2 years in the Navy. But this gave him valuable training. Then, we moved four times in four years. For four months of which my husband was stationed in Hawaii and I was left in KY with a newborn. We moved from VA, to KY, to OH, to GA. My husband was more than happy to seek out jobs, learn his way, make the sacrifice of moving his family around, earn valuable skills, change employers. ALL of this was done with one goal... financial stability for his family.

I'm sorry that you don't see that his risks brought us rewards. I thank him for all of his sacrifices. He puts us first.

[Nowhere Man]

Tai-kong suo-yo de xing-chiou do sai-jin wu di pi-gu!

B-) Well so much for black hole enginmeering and nanotech. B-)

Since the Toddmeister said the magic word, "sugar," (I'm screaming ala Pee-Wee Herman style) I have to post this:

[Toddsterpatriot]

Because expensive sugar is better than cheaper sugar? Would $4 gasoline be better than $2.50 gasoline?

[hedgetrimmer]

(Stop associating with Commies )

Tell it to your friends at the WTO.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Tell it to your friends at the WTO.

How are your buddies at the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador?

[hedgetrimmer]

How are your buddies at the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador?

Sorry, not my buddies. Did you check on them with your friends at the WTO? They should know.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Did you ever find the back up for your $10 billion claim? Or did I catch you in another lie?

[BlackbirdSST]

Sorry, you must have overlooked this in my post to you, "That's great, for you, your husband, your family." I don't begrudge you for your success, nor your husband. I'm just pointing out that it isn't a blanket that can be cast across the land. Everyone isn't enjoying the same results of this economy. Every life obstacle you state you have been able to overcome isn't necessarily news to me and mine. I've been around the block once or twice myself. Blackbird.

[Nowhere Man]

There really ain't such a price difference with sugar that I have seen.

[Nowhere Man]

Sorry, you must have overlooked this in my post to you, "That's great, for you, your husband, your family." I don't begrudge you for your success, nor your husband. I'm just pointing out that it isn't a blanket that can be cast across the land. Everyone isn't enjoying the same results of this economy. Every life obstacle you state you have been able to overcome isn't necessarily news to me and mine. I've been around the block once or twice myself. Blackbird.

Yeah, I hear you, I've been thru the minefield myself, but now I'm on an upswingand hopefully that will be like that for a while. There is something that woke in me and the way I view things is that I ask the question, "is it right or wrong?" instead of asking "it is left/right or liberal/conservative." Also for national policy, I ask another question, "will it be good for America and her people?" It's not good to parrot an ideological line for the sake of the party or philosophy so to speak. One has to think for oneself as well as adding in their own experiences to make up ther own mind.

Back to my story, I was stuck with a low end job, tried like Hell to look for something better, but no luck. Lat July, I was laying in bed, I prayed to God to ask Him and His Son to enter into my heart and life and to help guide me in my career path in the hopes of getting something better. Well, a week later, I got a much better job. I'm still in an economic funk but I do see a path out and again with God's help, He will lead me out. Sorry for the sermon, but I attribute one thing to my good fortune, trusting God. True, He might not get you exactly what you think you'll get and so on, but if you look at it, He will provide in one form or another.

Bjut yeah, it is a sham that there are many who would look upon our misfortunes and call us losers and so on. It is part of that old line Calvinist thinking where we are the cause of our bad karma and/or that idea of "Prosperity Gospel" II'm not even sure if I understand that 100% yet) plays into that too.