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This Article Explains Why Apple Makes iPhones In China And Why The U.S. Is Screwed
Business Insider ^ | 01/22/12 | Henry Blodget

Posted on 01/22/2012 4:49:53 AM PST by TigerLikesRooster

This Article Explains Why Apple Makes iPhones In China And Why The U.S. Is Screwed

Henry Blodget | Jan. 22, 2012, 5:30 AM | 3,191 |

The manufacturing processes of Apple and other electronics companies have come into sharp focus of late, with the revelation of more details about what life is like for the Chinese workers who make the world's gadgets.

When one reads about these working conditions--12-16 hour shifts, pay of ~$1 per hour or less, dormitories with 15 beds in 12x12 rooms--the obvious assumption is that it's all about money:

Greedy manufacturers want to make bigger profits, so they make their products in places with labor practices that would be illegal in America.

And money is certainly part of it.

But an amazing new article by Charles Duhigg and Keith Bradsher of the New York Times reveals that there's a lot more to it than that.

The article illustrates just how big a challenge the U.S. faces in trying stop the "hollowing out" process that has sent middle-class jobs overseas--and, with it, the extreme inequality that has developed in recent years.

The reason Apple makes iPhones and iPads in China, the article shows, is not just about money.

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


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: apologiaforobama; apologists; apple; china; economy; foxconn; freetrade; jobs; obamanation; outsourcing
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To: central_va
been there done that... i switched careers at 50 so it could never happen again
81 posted on 01/22/2012 7:09:13 AM PST by Chode (American Hedonist - *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

I can think of a few really compelling reasons as to why a business would NOT want to manufacture in the US....

Unions
Taxes
EPA regulations
OSHA regulations
EEOC regulations
Poor education system
Entitlement mentality
Broken Tort legal system

There’s plenty more, these are just the ones that come to mind immediately. And they all center around our government. Government is the cause of the demise of our country, not free trade, not competition from abroad. Our government’s meddling has made it near impossible to compete with the world and we are now reaping what we’ve sewn for so many years.

Get government off our backs and out of our wallets and you’ll see America flourish again.


82 posted on 01/22/2012 7:10:21 AM PST by meyer (We will not sit down and shut up.)
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To: 1rudeboy

Duh. Of course prices will rise - on imports.

That is EXACTLY the point.

Rocket scientist much?


83 posted on 01/22/2012 7:10:30 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
Duh. Of course prices will rise - on imports.

What rude is saying is that domestic manufacturers of widget A will will raise prices if the imported widget A is tariffed. What rude forgets is that NOBODY makes widget A in the USA anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So demand goes down for widget A. Now the manufacturer has a widget A factory in China running at 50% capacity. What to do? Well they could blow the dust off of the mothballed widget A factory in Alabama and start producing widget A's in the USA again, what a concept!

84 posted on 01/22/2012 7:21:04 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: central_va

+1

Precisely.


85 posted on 01/22/2012 7:26:46 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: Eureka_Lead

“See how long CHINA lasts when a tariff is placed on their goods so they equal the cost of production in the USA...”

Red China is already losing some manufacturing business to darker, poorer people to the south who will work for $.25 an hour. Southeast Asia is the new Red China (as Red China’s growing middle class wants an “American” lifestyle).


86 posted on 01/22/2012 7:27:07 AM PST by kearnyirish2
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To: meyer
I don't like it and you don't like it but we actually DO live in a welfare state. You have to accept that reality even if you don't like it.

If a doctor tells you you have cancer you wouldn't like that either. If the doctor says "well we can euthanize you and that will cure the cancer" you would naturally look at him like he was crazy, right?

Well, the country has cancer it is called socialism and off-shoring is like killing the patient instead of trying to cure the cancer.

87 posted on 01/22/2012 7:28:02 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: kearnyirish2

There is no bottom. Africa is next. Like a junkie the new slavers will never be satisfied.


88 posted on 01/22/2012 7:29:28 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: Mister Da

“I guess the money was more important than the family.”

In an increasing number of cases, the money is necessary for the family (and not a luxurious lifestyle). If I was divorced the first thing I’d do is quit my job, and looking for something less stressful - I’m going to lose a chunk of pay either way, but no reason to sacrifice what would be left of my happiness for a job.


89 posted on 01/22/2012 7:30:32 AM PST by kearnyirish2
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To: Wolfie

“We just have to accept Chinese-labor living standards”

That is exactly what is happening; the slow death of private home ownership is just one step.


90 posted on 01/22/2012 7:33:34 AM PST by kearnyirish2
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

I would support such tariffs as part of a broad tax reform package, such as a zero tax rate on American manufacturing, as Santorum proposes.


91 posted on 01/22/2012 7:38:42 AM PST by mission9 (It ain't bragging if you can do it.)
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To: TigerLikesRooster

From the expired TJIC.com:


Say that we had first contact with some super (economically) advanced aliens.

…and pretty soon they set up factories here.

…and I was offered a job in one of these factories, doing software engineering.

The pay is $400k/year.

The work week is 20 hours long.

The work environment is far better than I’m used to – great internal decoration, well tended plants, a zen-like water garden near my desk, massages every other day.

…and then left-wing alien “sentient being rights activists” started protesting, because I was being forced to work for less than a quarter of the prevailing wage in Alpha Centauri, and my work hours were twice as long as the legal norms in Alpha Centauri, and I didn’t have every mandatory benefits like “other other year off”, and “free AI musical composition mentoring”.

…and then left-wing alien “sentient being rights activists” wanted to make it illegal for my employer and I to contract with each other at mutually beneficial terms.

…then I would be rip shit that some elitist who had never visited me, or knew of my actual alternatives on the ground presumed to decide that I shouldn’t have this opportunity.

Which brings me to my core point: Chinese factory conditions may not be the exact cup of tea for a San Francisco graphic designer or a Connecticut non-profit ecologist grant writer … but they’re, by definition, better than all the other alternatives available to the Chinese workers (or the factories would find it impossible to staff up).

Butt out, clueless activists.


92 posted on 01/22/2012 7:38:45 AM PST by ctdonath2 ($1 meals: http://abuckaplate.blogspot.com/)
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To: central_va

“Like a junkie the new slavers will never be satisfied.”

That is true, though at that point Beijing will look like Detroit. Eventually the empty shipping containers will stop piling up at our ports, as the unemployed Americans are unable to buy cheap Red Chinese junk.


93 posted on 01/22/2012 7:39:00 AM PST by kearnyirish2
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To: listenhillary

“We don’t have an obligation to solve America’s problems.”

You can bet your ass when their factories overseas are threatened Americans will lose their lives fighting wars to protect them.


94 posted on 01/22/2012 7:43:30 AM PST by kearnyirish2
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To: kearnyirish2
We don’t have an obligation to solve America’s problems.

Hey Apple you should move your ENTIRE operation to China since you are not obligated to the USA anymore. Change your name form apple to cherry, a deeper red hue.

95 posted on 01/22/2012 7:50:17 AM PST by central_va ( I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: Tribune7

Rick Perry endorsed Gingrich, threw his support (and organization) Newt’s way, and may in large part be part of the reason, when Gingrich takes the oath of office.

Gingrich should start thinking now, how Perry can contribute in his administration.

Perry actually could have been a fabulous candidate. I think he choked just a bit, and then couldn’t get his act back together, but he could certainly be groomed as second.

There are a number of very good potential VP running mates for Newt, but Perry definitely earned consideration for that spot.

National security advisor might be a good one, too.

Include economic security as part of that position, and it could have Perry’s name on it.


96 posted on 01/22/2012 7:59:01 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: mission9

Santorum could be a good US trade representative.

Might defuse any possible Donald Trump insurgency to start leaking a Santorum role in US trade policy early.

Heck, maybe even bring Trump on board.

The best defense, as they say...


97 posted on 01/22/2012 8:02:26 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network (ROMNEY / ALINSKY 2012 (sarcasm))
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
I said I support a 100% _import_ tariff.

The cost of anything and everything made, grown, manufactured, mined or drilled out of the ground in America would not change.

Exactly! When imported oil goes to $200, American oil will remain $100. /idiot off

98 posted on 01/22/2012 8:15:22 AM PST by Toddsterpatriot (Math is hard. Harder if you're stupid.)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
I am not Free Trade purist, by any means, but this statement shows a lack of basic economic knowledge.

The cost of anything and everything made, grown, manufactured, mined or drilled out of the ground in America would not change. Only imports.

You really can't be serious, right? Or maybe you mean, the COST will remain the same (to manufacture, etc), but what about the ultimate price the consumer pays?

99 posted on 01/22/2012 8:15:54 AM PST by Paradox (I want Obama defeated. Period.)
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To: impimp

lol....you are a true believer in outdated garbage philosophies. South Koreans and Chinese are smarter than you. They know free trade is BS plus they conduct business with this in mind.


100 posted on 01/22/2012 8:28:19 AM PST by dennisw (A nation of sheep breeds a government of Democrat wolves!)
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