U.S. Furniture Makers to Seek Protection From China Imports

Wall Street Journal ^ | 7/15/03 | Dan Morse

[oceanview]

You might be able to make that case for low skilled labor. But now, when you go for an XRAY and its read by a tech in India, is your XRAY fee any cheaper? Of course not, US corporate executives have "wised up"; they can offshore the jobs, dis-employ the Americans, and pocket the extra profits for themselves. Why is Microsoft, with $50 billion in cash, offshoring US jobs to "save money"?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

It is your very own government that renders you vulnerable to foreign competition.

Don't agree at all.

[Protagoras]

Don't agree at all.

It never occurred to me that you would.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Well aren't you special.

[Protagoras]

Of course not, US corporate executives have "wised up";

Yes, they have discovered the age old idea that you should keep your expenses as low as possible and your prices as high as possible. A brand new idea.

they can offshore the jobs, dis-employ the Americans, and pocket the extra profits for themselves.

Translation in unemotional english=
They can seek the lowest cost provider and hire them instead of their higher priced competition and increase profits. Which of course is the purpose of being in business in the first place.

Why is Microsoft, with $50 billion in cash, offshoring US jobs to "save money"?

For a rainy day? So they can make more money? Good ideas.

The idea that business is a jobs program or owes anyone anything is incorrect.

[Protagoras]

Well aren't you special.

Lots of people think so. I don't agree with them though. I'm glad you think so even though you disagree with me.

I'm just a guy who understands basic economics and freedom.

[EagleMamaMT]

What kind of job, Texas_Dawg? That's what you and the other "free traitors" refuse to see. WHOLE CATEGORIES of jobs are being exported offshore. I guess these displaced factory workers and IT workers can work for McDonald's and Wal-Mart. Fine. There's only one thing wrong with that scenario: Neither of those jobs are in any way, shape or form comparable to lost factory jobs or lost IT jobs. For one thing, Wal-Mart and McDonald's only hire part-time help (except for management) so they don't have to offer health insurance. That means, if these displaced workers have a family and they take a job at Wal-Mart or McDonald's, they're STILL going to be on the public dole for healthcare and most probably food stamps, even if they take on two or three of these part-time jobs!

Why is it you "free traitors" can't understand this simple principle: It is insane to outsource good-paying jobs to foreign countries and have only crap jobs left here to employ Americans. It's going to bring down every one's standard of living eventually. Just from increased taxes alone. Unless, perhaps, you and the other "free traitors" can get your pet congressmen to authorize a few large ovens, located in the appropriate parts of the country where the most unemployed reside.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Lots of people think so. I don't agree with them though. I'm glad you think so even though you disagree with me.

Well of course I really don't.

I'm just a guy who understands basic economics and freedom.

I hope you understand the basic economics and freedoms of our decision in the furniture indutry to do our best to try to protect ourselves against what we consider to be unfair competition.

[Texas_Dawg]

I don't pay anyone directly for welfare, I would assume that you are referring to my paying taxes.

Fine... Do you feel that being forced to pay higher taxes to support a federal welfare program is a waste of your money?

[Texas_Dawg]

Lots of people think so. I don't agree with them though. I'm glad you think so even though you disagree with me. I'm just a guy who understands basic economics and freedom.

Haha. Awesome.

[Texas_Dawg]

Why is it you "free traitors" can't understand this simple principle: It is insane to outsource good-paying jobs to foreign countries and have only crap jobs left here to employ Americans.

Ummm... maybe because we know enough about economics to know that when you don't waste money on inefficient products and markets, there is money left to create new spending and jobs?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Fine... Do you feel that being forced to pay higher taxes to support a federal welfare program is a waste of your money?

Not if it keeps someone from starving. For the second time what industry are you in and do you face foreign competition?

[oceanview]

what good are US corporations if they don't employ Americans? At some point, that is the crux of the decision. Microsoft could function with say, 200 US employees, with everyone else employed in India or China. At that point, why should I care if the tax rate on Microsoft is 90%? Who cares, what are they doing for us. If they are making profits here, and dis-employing Americans, causing our tax base to implode, what value are they adding to our country?

[Protagoras]

More namecalling and emotionalism from your side of the aisle.

You seem to think that Americans are entitled to a certain standard of living. And that the answer to wasteful and unconstitutional government spending is to make enough money to support it instead of getting rid of the problem at it's source.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

And that the answer to wasteful and unconstitutional government spending is to make enough money to support it instead of getting rid of the problem at it's source.

Are you talking gas ovens?

[Texas_Dawg]

Not if it keeps someone from starving.

So you support federal welfare programs as well? Well, at least you're consistent. Not very conservative, of course, but I admire the consistency.

I work in finance. I guess I face competition from all over the world (my firm operates in about 20 countries).

[Protagoras]

what good are US corporations if they don't employ Americans?

Companies exist to make profits for the owners, not to further the interests of others. These things are fundamental to life. Why do Americans today need these basic things explained to them? Democrats and other social engineers have sold you a bill of goods.

At some point, that is the crux of the decision.

No it's not.

Microsoft could function with say, 200 US employees, with everyone else employed in India or China.

So?

At that point, why should I care if the tax rate on Microsoft is 90%? Who cares, what are they doing for us.

In other words, the whole reason for business is to make money for others? In other words you don't mind if someone has their money stolen as long as they aren't "doing anything" for you. What a moral, principled position.

If they are making profits here, and dis-employing Americans, causing our tax base to implode, what value are they adding to our country?

Ah, the real agenda, a liberal one, more taxes. LOL

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Fine... Do you feel that being forced to pay higher taxes to support a federal welfare program is a waste of your money?

Not in the case where they are forced to take federal welfare money because they can't compete against someone who virtually uses slave labor.

[oceanview]

the simple answer is usually correct - its greed. The owners of that XRAY lab who send the technician's job to India, pocket the cost savings for themselves. American capitalism cannot suvive with the kind of corporate culture we have now, it's a straight track to a two tiered socio-economic structure, the wealthy and the working poor, with no private sector middle class, the middle class will consist mostly of government employees. That's where we are headed if current trends continue.

[Protagoras]

Are you talking gas ovens?

Huh? What the hell is that supposed to mean?