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Goodbye, Production (and Maybe Innovation)
The New York Times ^ | December 24, 2006 | Louis Uchitelle

Posted on 12/31/2006 6:25:30 AM PST by A. Pole

AMERICAN manufacturers no longer make subway cars. They are imported now, and the skills required to make them are disappearing in the United States. Similarly, imports are an ever-bigger source of refrigerators, household furnishings, auto and aircraft parts, machine tools and a host of everyday consumer products much in demand in America, but increasingly not made here.

[...]

the experts shifted the emphasis from production to design and innovation. Let others produce what Americans think up.

[...]

But over the long run, can invention and design be separated from production? That question is rarely asked today. The debate instead centers on the loss of well-paying factory jobs and on the swelling trade deficit in manufactured goods. When the linkage does come up, the answer is surprisingly affirmative: Yes, invention and production are intertwined.

"Most innovation does not come from some disembodied laboratory," said Stephen S. Cohen, co-director of the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy at the University of California, Berkeley. "In order to innovate in what you make, you have to be pretty good at making it — and we are losing that ability."

[...]

Franklin J. Vargo, the association’s vice president for international economic affairs, sounds even more concerned than Mr. Cohen. "If manufacturing production declines in the United States," he said, "at some point we will go below critical mass and then the center of innovation will shift outside the country and that will really begin a decline in our living standards."

[...]

"It is hard to imagine," Mr. Tonelson said, "how an international economy can remain successful if it jettisons its most technologically advanced components."

[...]

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: alasandalack; depression; despair; doom; dustbowl; freetraitors; grapesofwrath; jobs; manufacturing; market; outsourcing; technology; trade; unions
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To: servantboy777
All too common:

Nardelli Out As Home Depot CEO

Robert Nardelli, the former GE executive who six years ago became the chairman/president/CEO of Home Depot, has been deposed by the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. In leaving the company, according to a late story by Forbes, Nardelli will pocket cash, stock, options and benefits valued at $210 million.

The company said in a press release this morning that the decision was mutual.

Nardelli is being replaced by Frank Blake, who has been serving as vice chairman and executive vice president of the D-I-Y retailer.

Nardelli has come under significant criticism in recent months because of the company’s stagnant stock price, as well as for what some have perceived as an inappropriate compensation package - $18.5 million in salary and options for over 560,000 shares in each of the last three years. In addition, he was roundly criticized for appearing aloof during a recent annual meeting, not taking questions for shareholders and

During an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this year, Nardelli addressed the compensation issue: “The board has been very appreciative of the performance of this company, and I'm very grateful for the compensation they've awarded me, commensurate with the company's performance. They evaluate me on the things I can control, such as top-line growth, which has almost doubled; earnings, which have more than doubled; and other metrics like return on invested capital. I would expect if the performance isn't there, they'll be just as responsive the other way.”

KC's View: Enough, apparently, was enough.

Nardelli can now join another former GE executive – Larry Johnston, who was brought in to fix Albertsons and ended up having to sell the company – in spending their time counting their money.

381 posted on 01/03/2007 9:36:14 AM PST by american colleen
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To: Paul Ross
I bet you believe their claims to only be spending $35 billion on defense.

I bet you believe their claim that their economy grew 10% a year.

You don't even know what conservatives believe in.

You believe in more government interference in trade. I believe that makes you liberal.

382 posted on 01/03/2007 9:37:28 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Toddsterpatriot
It doesn't include 2005 or 2006.

So? You think things suddenly got better? Let's see your proof.

Still waiting for you to post some info that shows my info is wrong.

Wake up and smell the coffee, Todd. Your own "info" showed that YOU are wrong.

383 posted on 01/03/2007 9:41:16 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: 1rudeboy
only need to remember its performance over the past year, which is the figure you provided. Let's review: Paul Ross, "price is up 66%," and 1rudeboy, "price is up 0%."

Wrong. Even for Tropicana, now up 12.5%

384 posted on 01/03/2007 9:43:22 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: Paul Ross
Haven't seen the price increase, but then, according to your article, the 12.5% (what happened to 66%) hike didn't hit until two days ago. In any case, I also find it amusing that, when the price does increase, you fail to consider that folks will buy less o.j., and more apple juice, for example.

Who's holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy o.j?

385 posted on 01/03/2007 9:47:15 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Paul Ross
So? You think things suddenly got better? Let's see your proof.

Net worth only rose $10 trillion. You think things got worse? Let's see your proof.

Your own "info" showed that YOU are wrong.

Does this mean I didn't use average? LOL!

386 posted on 01/03/2007 9:53:12 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: 1rudeboy
Who's holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy o.j?

Alan Greenspan, bastard!

387 posted on 01/03/2007 9:55:10 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Toddsterpatriot
I bet you believe their claim that their economy grew 10% a year.

The 10.7% growth numbers come from Business Week citing the World Bank and a broad number of other International business reports as well. But of course you somehow spout opposite. Totally disregarding the anecdotal evidence before your eyes of U.S. manufacturing shutting down, and being given to China.

You don't even know what conservatives believe in.

You believe in more government interference in trade.

I believe that China is in fact "governmentally interferring" not just within itself, but manipulatively influencing OUR trade. You don't, or are inherently unwilling to admit it... and are therefore powerless doctrinally to oppose it. So that makes you the dogmatic appeasement liberal.

I believe that makes you liberal.

You believe wrong. As Reagan said, "We are always willing to be trade partners...but never trade patsies." -1987 SOU.

Of course, you probably believe that Reagan was a liberal too.

388 posted on 01/03/2007 10:00:36 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: 1rudeboy; chimera
Haven't seen the price increase, but then, according to your article, the 12.5% (what happened to 66%) hike didn't hit until two days ago.

Warned of a long time ago. So average it out. It's not close to zero. You were wrong.

...you fail to consider that folks will buy less o.j., and more apple juice

Which thoroughly debunks your "all is well" position. Eventually prices get bad enough, and everybody forages for berries and nuts and lives in grass huts too.

But it isn't an improvement. Not in GDP or in terms of "net wealth."

389 posted on 01/03/2007 10:04:24 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: Paul Ross
The 10.7% growth numbers come from Business Week citing the World Bank and a broad number of other International business reports as well. But of course you somehow spout opposite

I wonder if those sources use data provided by the Chinese government? I wonder if those sources have the "real" numbers for the U.S. economy? Maybe you'd provide them for us?

Totally disregarding the anecdotal evidence before your eyes of U.S. manufacturing shutting down, and being given to China.

Yes, I disregard anecdotal evidence, just as you disregard government evidence.

I believe that China is in fact "governmentally interferring" not just within itself, but manipulatively influencing OUR trade. You don't, or are inherently unwilling to admit it...

I've never denied that the Chinese government manipulates trade. Unlike you, I don't want to emulate them.

Of course, you probably believe that Reagan was a liberal too.

No, just you.

390 posted on 01/03/2007 10:05:49 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Paul Ross
So average it out.

The average is not the median.

391 posted on 01/03/2007 10:08:00 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Toddsterpatriot
Net worth rose only $10 trillion...

Oh, really?


392 posted on 01/03/2007 10:10:00 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: Toddsterpatriot
The average is not the median.

Precisely. And in this case the median is demolishing his position. But you are the guys dependent on averages. So average out. Even THEN it demolishes his position. LOL!

393 posted on 01/03/2007 10:11:34 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: Paul Ross

You never did show where I used an average. Were you lying?


394 posted on 01/03/2007 10:14:01 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Paul Ross

You do realize that you got those graphs from someone trying to sell mutual funds titled "Prudent Bear?"


395 posted on 01/03/2007 10:14:10 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Paul Ross

Net worth includes debt, silly. You weren't very good at math in school, were you?


396 posted on 01/03/2007 10:14:59 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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To: Paul Ross
Warned of a long time ago. So average it out. It's not close to zero. You were wrong.

I am well aware of how much I pay for orange juice, and do not need you to explain it to me.

397 posted on 01/03/2007 10:16:09 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Toddsterpatriot

I'm still getting a good chuckle thinking of orange juice as a "basic necessity." But then, I'm not much of a vodka drinker.


398 posted on 01/03/2007 10:17:48 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: Toddsterpatriot
Yes, I disregard anecdotal evidence,

Which confirms you don't even have a clue as to reality, unless a government generated statistic is produced to make you happy.

just as you disregard government evidence.

I look at them. But a healthy skepticism is obviously warranted when they are in fact being politically manipulated to understate adverse facts. I think that my supposed "disregard" can be worn as a badge of honor.

I believe that China is in fact "governmentally interferring" not just within itself, but manipulatively influencing OUR trade. You don't, or are inherently unwilling to admit it...

I've never denied that the Chinese government manipulates trade.

Yes you do. All the time. You don't "believe" the growth rates either.

Unlike you, I don't want to emulate them.

Actually, they are emulating our own former (pre GHWB) historic policies. Only they do so far less openly, and are far more duplicitous about their mercantilism.

Your not wanting to "emulate them" confirms you have absolutely no idea how to oppose them. You are admitting by default that your doctrinaire position robs you of the flexibility to respond effectively. E.g., In kind.

Of course, you probably believe that Reagan was a liberal too.

No, just you.

Well, then you have a contradiction, since my policies are his. He didn't believe in being a trade patsie. You do. You believe in "win-win" irrespective of the manipulations. Reagan didn't.

He was right. You are wrong.

399 posted on 01/03/2007 10:39:45 AM PST by Paul Ross (Ronald Reagan-1987:"We are always willing to be trade partners but never trade patsies.")
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To: Paul Ross
I look at them. But a healthy skepticism is obviously warranted when they are in fact being politically manipulated to understate adverse facts. I think that my supposed "disregard" can be worn as a badge of honor.

I'll be skeptical of your anecdotes and Chinese government statistics. You keep believing the Commies and your little anecdotes.

Yes you do. All the time.

No I don't. Not once. Never.

Your not wanting to "emulate them" confirms you have absolutely no idea how to oppose them.

They hurt their people with their manipulations. I'd prefer not to hurt the American people with your manipulations.

Well, then you have a contradiction, since my policies are his.

Reagan lowered tariffs. Which tariffs do you want to lower?

400 posted on 01/03/2007 10:46:18 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (There is no cause so right that one cannot find a fool following it.)
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