Posted on 09/11/2009 7:17:37 PM PDT by Orange1998
I only buy Michelin. Have you ever tried to cut a Michelin tire in two? The bead was impossible to cut while the Goodyear tire was sliced like butter.
I only buy Michelin. Have you ever tried to cut a Michelin tire in two? The bead was impossible to cut while the Goodyear tire was sliced like butter.
You are correct. Companies didn’t move overseas because they are traitors; they moved because it was either move or die.
I would rather keep the 10% - the management - here, and move 90% of the workforce overseas, than lose 100% of the jobs.
The US Government and the attitude of the general populace is the reason companies outsource. Costs could be equalized if we’d be sane about the requirements placed on our companies. And the current Administration is simply making things worse.
Don’t they realize that most of those “Chinese” tires are made in China ON CONTRACT for companies like Goodyear, Coker, and Cooper? Tariffs on those tires will cost sales of those tires for US companies. Basically killing income to our own companies.
The US will continue to lose manufacturing jobs as long as the US Government and populace continue to consider business as a problem, not the solution. I know, I founded and ran a US manufacturing company in Lynnwood, WA for 7 years before I finally got fed up with the whole nightmare and shut it down. Twenty one employees - all with good pay (well above minimum, even the part-time janitor made $14 per hour), full benefits, and a fun workplace.
But the Government considers small business more-and-more the problem, not the solution. I was evil because I was a business owner (never mind my engineers made more than I did). The general public goes along with it, I must be exploiting people, I must be poisoning the Earth, I must be wrong and should have to pay more.
Enough. It’s gone, the employees were found new jobs, and it’s closed. I now work with companies in Asia (not just China) in countries where business is respected, generation of wealth is something to be pursued.
The US populace and the US Government are the problem. Companies leave not because they hate America, but because they cannot survive in what America has become. The American ideal is gone!.
Protectionists do not understand this, and refuse to admit it. So they will demonize the companies even more, rather than focus on what is the real problem. So much easier that way, you know...
LOL I’ve never actually felt the need, to attempt to cut a tire in two.
I’d say buy the Goodyears.
That stupid Michelin smurf is about as bad as the gecko.
Who do you work for?
And you still refuse to answer about make and model of your cell phone, computer, car, or tires. For the record:
Samsung i760 in the US, Samsung SGH-E898 overseas
Dell Latitude D505
1999 Ford Ranger XLT extended cab, 2.5L engine, manual
Toyo tires bought from Les Schwab
Can you make your list?
Anxious to send my description to the State Security Bureau?
Amen to you, brother. Somehow folks get the idea that government managed trade is patriotic. Plays right into the hands of gov’t motors, gov’t banking, gov’t healthcare, gov’t EVERYTHING. And you certainly have an impressive story!
That was the proven formula for the Big Depression. The new variable this time around is we are now pissing off our biggest debt holder. On Monday China declares war on the dollar and by Tuesday Zero will be begging them to forgive us or else we will be broke on Wednesday. Buy gold and silver!!!
I’m with you.
Just put a set of Michelin Latitude Tour on my Honda Pilot.
Very smooth and much quieter than the original Goodyears.
What brand and model of tires do you use? Are you 100% certain they are not made in China and do not use Chinese materials?
Do you know the number of Firestone, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Cooper, BF Goodrich, and Michelin tires that come out of China every day? And millions run on US streets every day, at speed.
IMO, this is a safety issue first and foremost.
What about the Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall that resulted in deaths, from tires made in Decatur, IL? Should we ban US tires too, since it's a safety issue?
People have to look to the DESIGN of the tire and the QC applied; you have crap engineering and crap QC in the US, Germany, China. You have state-of-the-art engineering and class-leading QC in the US, Germany, and China. You get what you pay for, the "Made In China" label is no guarantee of any quality label.
People need to understand that most of the products shipping from China were designed by US or European engineers, and the QC departments were set up by US or European companies. How well they function is NOT a result of China, but the level of oversight of those same US and European companies. Half my job here is providing QC oversight; yes, it costs my clients a bit more, but they get rock-solid quality products.
Ultimately, the problem isn't where it's made; it's who (which company) makes it, and what they are willing to skimp on. We need look no further than the recall of deadly Firestone/Bridgestone tires made in Decatur, IL for proof-positive of that.
“Good. We should look out for our own.”
Unfortunately, the loudmouth class warriors are allied with the importing interests. But, they’ll proclaim themselves “patriotic” any way.
No, you're a hypocrite who will make trite little statements and denigrate people to puff up your own false patriotism.
You say "stop buying from China" and yet I will guarantee you're a big consumer of Chinese products yourself.
Oh, and about that "State Security Bureau"? China doesn't have a snitch line, like our own US President set up...
My patriotism is not false.
I’d point out though, that there is a name for accepting cash to teach our potential enemies, how to destroy us.
Just saying. Don’t be too quick to accuse.
These were really good points. My company makes products here and we make them there. We have quality issues here and there, like any company would. But it’s OUR design and OUR processes that they employ. And even the wages are comparable, but not to union wages. The high cost/low quality goods that come from so many union shops are one of the main reasons U.S. companies lose, not just cheap labor.
It’s been my experience that those who squeal the loudest about “we need tariffs!” and other protectionist nonsense are usually the ones who have lived the most sheltered (in an economic and political sense) lives. Never started anything of merit, never actually competed on the open market, never had to hustle for the next contract.
It’s so much easier when you can get Big Government to give you a job. After all, it wants to give you health insurance! All we need now is mandatory housing and hey, what’s the difference between the modern USA and the USSR other than two letters?
Companies leave because we force them to, and that force comes from communist dolts like those in charge in Washington, DC and from the hyper-partisan protectionists (the Buchanan wing). On one thing they agree: Government should guarantee you a job here.
Get in line for your job, comrade - er - patriot, I’ll send you pictures and prayers from abroad!
Hopefully not before the end of the month, or at least two weeks. (My AR kit should be in by then, or so they told me today, only ordered it Feb. 22nd)
Then it is misguided. Can you tell us what brand and model of cell phone and computer you use?
I’d point out though, that there is a name for accepting cash to teach our potential enemies, how to destroy us.
Emphasis added. Who is NOT a potential enemy, please? Then I will know who it's OK to set up and work with in the creation of more wealth.
Just saying. Don’t be too quick to accuse.
Sage advice. You should try it some time...
If we go down, the rest of the world probably goes down too, most especially including China.
Might almost be worth it.
Almost.
China is the one nation on earth which can quite literally produce us into oblivion.
Every other adversary America has ever faced, could be out-innovated and out-produced.
China is (as you know) four times our size. We have now made the monumental mistake of sending what used to be the Arsenal of Democracy to COMMUNISTS.
China will not give any of that back.
So we should just stop importing and build it all again here.
We really have no other choice.
The current situation will destroy America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.