Doesn’t the United States make anything anymore?

The Buffalo News ^ | 2/17/2009 | Stephen Manning

[BfloGuy]

The U. S. by far remains the world’s leading manufacturer by value of goods produced. It hit a record $1.6 trillion in 2007 — nearly double the $811 billion in 1987. For every $1 of value produced in China’s factories, America generates $2.50.

[nyconse]

Very true...I fail to see how free traders can’t see this...it’s so obvious...is a stupid cheap pair of imported jeans worth this country? Some say yes...more’s the pity.

[thefrankbaum]

The big three aren’t going anywhere - I have family that took buyouts in the last year because things are getting rough, but they’ll still be here in 10 years. They won’t have the same market share, but they’ll be here. They are being destroyed by poor management and unions, not regulation and trade. Foreign automakers operate under the same CAFE standards, and a lot of them have factories here (employing Americans because we HAVE FREE TRADE), and thus work under the same OSHA standards. How do they make it work?

[mysterio]

some 20% of global output.

Looks like we have some ways to go. That 20 percent is made by overpaid American workers! Could be made much cheaper in third world slave labor markets. Outsource all jobs. Import all goods. Print more money!

/freetrader

[nyconse]

Our former housing industry...what will pull us out of this slump...Walmart?

[nyconse]

I agree...Japan has the tools to climb out of the slump...people will buy cars again at some point.

[jveritas]

The trade deficit is due largely to imported raw materials such as oil and not to imported manufactured goods. In fact by dollar value we export more manufactured goods than what we import. Last year we had a total trade deficit of 700 billions dollars but we imported 700 billion dollars in oil.

[nyconse]

You mean the loan packages the small business administration used to offer...why is this not socialism? It’s government giving money to business.

[jveritas]

Please do not show facts. Some people here want to go back to the 19th century style economy where you put 100 people to do a job that one person can do in a 21st century advanced economy.

[nyconse]

I wish I could believe this about the big three, but I heard all over the news today how...these companies are not going to survivie...fox business and CNBC.

[nyconse]

Explain the trade deficit with China...no oil there my friend.

[thefrankbaum]

I’m opposed to it. However, you were the one holding France out as a great model since it was doing so well with manufacturing. I merely demonstrated that we are doing the exact same thing.

[nyconse]

How about we bring jobs back to this country then we have 100 jobs for 100 people and not one job and 99 on some form of welfare.

[thefrankbaum]

Don't fall victim to the 24 hour news cycle. These morons were all clamoring for the stimulus and the bank bailout, and the world would end if they didn't pass.

[hedgetrimmer]

20 percent is made by overpaid American workers!

Yeah, they're so overpaid, only the communist chinese can afford to by real estate here! Everyone knows property ownership is the foundation of freedom, but with everyone in the world buying property here because "free trade" agreements have broken our domestic economy, what do you think is going to happen to this country? I know, that's a rhetorical question for "free traders". We're already deep into their socialist end game.

So, why do you want to favor the chicoms over Americans? Are you a 'global citizen' 'free trader' like Obama?

[nyconse]

You asked about French industry...I supplied the information...they are investing in industry and will be much better of than us in a few years.

[jveritas]

Why are you picking one country to make your argument? We deal with the whole world and not just China. You are against global trade but yet you want to make the argument concerning one single country. In the global trade we export more manufacturing goods in dollar value than what we import.

[nyconse]

free trader= free traitor

[mysterio]

Notice the "/freetrader" at the end of the post. Also, you may find this link helpful.

[hedgetrimmer]

Yup

[nyconse]

I didn’t feel like doing all that research which you could very well do yourself! You don’t want facts...your mind is made up anyway. You are marching towards socialism and refuse to see this.