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

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

[Texas_Dawg]

A group of American makers of wood bedroom furniture is preparing to seek protection from the U.S. government to stem a surge of imports from China that the companies say has ravaged their industry.

John Bassett, president and chief executive of Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., Galax, Va., and a spokesman for the group of 14 furniture makers, said the American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade intends to file an antidumping petition this fall with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

[jpsb]

Exactly correct, it should be noted that almost the entire history of human societies, have been two tier systems. Only the USA and few post WW2 nations have ever been able to build a large middle class.

There was no large middle class in pre 1880 USA. up until T.R. became president unrestrained capitalism was the model. In an unrestrained capitalist state only a small middle class can develope, (rich merchants and skilled professionals) that serve the ruling ultra rich.

Our rulers are returnning us, via globalism, to an unrestrained capitalist environment. It is deliberate and calculated attempt at destroying the American middle class. The ruling class does not like a middle class. A middle class is demanding, dificult to control pain in the butt. Now poor people are easy, throw them some crums and they will kiss your a$$.

[Texas_Dawg]

Then you must not know anything about how many people feel the effects of tariffs and how a small a percentage they really help. That's what unions are all about. That's why they love tariffs.

[Texas_Dawg]

I actually do feel that welfare per se is a waste of money but I am hardly as upset by that as I am about Federal dollars being used to build Chinese manufacturing capacity to compete with American businesses.

They are doing this?!? Sweet. They must have finally read all my e-mails. You see, harpseal, this just goes to show you that persistence pays.

[Jim Cane]

You give me a choice between buying the same product at the same price from my neighbor or a chinaman, I'll pick my neighbor everytime.

What if the Chinese version is pennies cheaper?

[harpseal]

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

At last you got something right. The tarigff and capital flow structure agravates this situation.

Wage and price controls (minimum wage), huge amounts of regulations and union thugs who keep wages artifically high are just some of the reasons people move production overseas. Blame your government, not someone else.

These are hardly the primary cause. if you really wish to live in such a paradise without all the regulations might I suggest relocating to the People's Republic of China which you seem to so dearly love. Getting ridf of all Federal regulations is not politicaly feasable we need to fic the econopmy now tariffs are the one tool available in this case yet you call them tyranical. not even John C. Calhoun in fighting against the so called "Tariff of abominations" went so far. Please learn some American historyt it will serve you well.

[EagleMamaMT]

Oh, Great God Protagoras! Forgive your foul servent that I had the audacity to say such things to you! To think, a lowly working-class person like myself should DARE to even come into your presence with such rhetoric. I forgot that we lowly workers only exist to serve you of the god-like elite class of ruling lords. A thousand lashes be upon my back! I await your forgiveness with baited breath! NOT!!!!

[Protagoras]

Time to go, it's been fun exposing all you "conservatives" as the big government, anti freedom, command and control liberals you really are. Protectionism and trade wars have caused much of the murder and mayhem throughout history.

"If goods do not cross borders, armies will."

[maui_hawaii]

What does that have to do with making me pay more for my furniture?

Absolutely nothing. You don't pay less for most of the goods made in China, including furniture.

[Texas_Dawg]

You don't pay less for most of the goods made in China, including furniture.

Uhhh... yeah. Because of the tariffs, genius.

[Protagoras]

Please learn some American historyt it will serve you well.

LOL, one of the things I do is teach history. Buh bye.

[EagleMamaMT]

Well, well, well! Not only are you a "free traitor" but now you're talking like an anti-Semite as well!

[oceanview]

Say what you will, we are actually the folks advocating policies to hold the line against the Dems, because we understand the factors going on regarding employment in the real economy, and the effects of dis-employment on peoples voting habits.

[Texas_Dawg]

What if the Chinese version is pennies cheaper?

If the Chinese version of Product X is exactly identical in utility to the American version, and is pennies cheaper, I will buy the Chinese version. So will the rational consumer in a free market, ceteris parabus.

[Protagoras]

What if the Chinese version is pennies cheaper?

No, it has to be substantial to make up for the lost opportunity to have my supplier close to my dog. :^}

[AngryJawa]

Do you know of a good list of American-made products?

Check out madeinusa.org for a pretty good list from autos to shoes. Someone, somewhere on a similar thread mentioned that New Balance has part of its line of running shoes still made here. I figured that shoe manufacturing was completely offshore by now.

[Texas_Dawg]

Haha. I was just filling in the next step to your conspiracy theory. (I'm not Jewish. I work with a lot of them though. Don't worry, I've got my eye on 'em. U-S-A! U-S-A!)

[Jim Cane]

Protectionism and trade wars have caused much of the murder and mayhem throughout history.

Like what the U.S. did to the Japs before WWII?

[Protagoras]

Say what you will, we are actually the folks advocating policies to hold the line against the Dems,

Holding the line against the Dems would mean more if they weren't so close to what the Republicans have become.

I deal in concepts and ideas, I leave the agressive pursuit of power to you guys. Have fun.

[EagleMamaMT]

Uh, Dawg, when did I EVER in any of my posts say anything about some government conspiracy? Another "free traitor" tactic. Scream "conspiracy nut" at anyone who disagrees with "free" trade. Yep, you're following the script real well. I'll bet your handlers are really proud of you! You're a credit to the "free traitor" agenda!

[harpseal]

Now take you namecalling and other liberal tactics to someone who cares what you think.

for one who has done nothing but call names and has refused to discuss issues you are very quick to accuse others of that for once will you start adressing the issues you have been given references by Jim cain about tariffs that clearly show your definition of them as only taxes that have no use as except as tyranny when talking about protecting domestic consumption has been shown to be in dirtect contradiction to Alexander Hamilton and Adam Smith start dealing with issues.