Forging a case for U.S. jobs in manufacturing

The Arizona Republic ^ | August 24, 2003 | Jon Talton

[sarcasm]

Does it matter if Americans make stuff?

I'm using Alan Greenspan's brushoff term for American manufacturing. He used it last month during his congressional testimony, when asked about the loss of 2.7 million jobs over the past two years, most in factories and they're likely gone for good.

[Dane]

You need to re-read the history books.
Reagan slapped tariffs on the japs when they were dumping motorcycles here

Huh and GW Bush did the same thing for the steel industry, but the way the rhetoric is slung around here by you doom and gloomers(covert democrats, IMO), you consider him akin to the anti-Christ.

[Jeff Head]

The problem is that the market has become conceptual...too conceptual as far as I am concerned, as in smoke and mirrors.

On the other hand, cars, computer hardware, steel to build buildings, dams and other things with, wood for homes, fruit that we eat to feed ourselves, clothes that we wear ... all of this "stuff" is not conceptual. It is real.

[A. Pole]

The Federal Reserve chairman said, "Well, just remember that the nature of the economy is becoming increasingly conceptual, as distinct from physical . . .

Very disapointing, one would expect more insight from the leading financist. Maybe we have what we deserve.

[riri]

that the nature of the economy is becoming increasingly conceptual

I wonder if that will fly down at the back when one can't meet the mortgage.

Well, the nature of my payments are becoming increasingly conceptual...

[riri]

back s/b bank

[A. Pole]

Even more questionable is the notion that our economy can rest purely on "concepts."

Being a concept/banking center is not enough to support 300 million people. Even Switzerland export watches, cheese, chocolate and other material goods. If Mr. Greenspan thinks that his job can be typical he is dreaming.

[Ed_in_NJ]

How's this for a concept: "The American worker is being disassociated from the American economy."

The economy (i.e., the way the feds measure) can be 'doing great' (US companies get all their goods from overseas and sell globally) while the US worker gets lowballed out of employment.

[A. Pole]

The problem is that the market has become conceptual...too conceptual as far as I am concerned, as in smoke and mirrors. On the other hand, cars, computer hardware, steel to build buildings, dams and other things with, wood for homes, fruit that we eat to feed ourselves, clothes that we wear ... all of this "stuff" is not conceptual. It is real.

Fed said: "let them eat the conceptual".

[William Terrell]

But who and what will pay the taxes to support those bureauocracies?

With all the jobs going overseas, taxing at the income level will mean increasingly lower levels of revenue. There has been a lot of behind the scenes work on a consumption tax. If that is implimented, we are lost, but I think that answers your question.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Will our military with stuff made Someplace Else be able to defend us? Will we be us? Isn't Globalism a wonderful utopia in a perfect world full of kind and peaceful inhabitants...

Is there a mandated age of retirement for the Federal Reserve Chairman?

[Jorge]

For your information, blue collar workers, people without college educations, have never recovered from the end of manufacturing. They have gone steadily downhill since the 70's. For them, it most definitely has been gloom and doom as they have nothing like the standard of living their parents did. Look at the cities of the Northeast, none of whom recovered from the collapse of manufacturing.

I'm one of those Northeasterners who lost his job when manufacturing left.
I took some classes at a Community College and got a 2 year degree, and ended up in a much better line of work.

Oh, I'm sorry. My story doesn't fit your doom and gloom scenario, does it.

[1rudeboy]

If not, Harley would not be around any longer.

And tens of thousands, if not millions of households, would not have oil-stains in the driveway.

[A. Pole]

Will our military with stuff made Someplace Else be able to defend us?

Do not worry. We will have conceptual and visual military produced in Hollywood. Just imagine how fast the special operation team containing Schwarzenegger, Stallone and others would solve the Iraqi problem!

[A. Pole]

Oh, I'm sorry. My story doesn't fit your doom and gloom scenario, does it.

Congratulations! I guess so long as you and me are doing fine the rest can go to hell?

[cp124]

The Free Traitiors will continue to buy thier cheap junk at The Great Wall Mart.

[CedarDave]

Thanks for the PING. Bookmarked because of Race Bannons great list of thread references in post #40.

[William Terrell]

In the economy it's services --not manufacturing that matters. Services account for 60 percent of the GDP, 75 percent of employment, and 90 percent of all new jobs. Sure, we all miss the loss of our smokestack factories but those lifestyles went the way of the old agricultural and 'hunting-and-gathering' patterns of less advanced societies.

Unfortunately, all those service jobs which have become the backbone of our economy depend totally on physical objects, which are manufactured somewhere. It would be better if that somewhere were here.

[cp124]

Got to go. I have to go mow my neighbors yard so I can buy dinner. This this service economy is great.

[jpsb]

" am a registered democrat"

I am going to bookmark this thread am I am going to let everyone know that Dane is a register democrat. I always knew you were a fake but I can't believe you were so foolish to admit to being a RAT.