'Made in the USA' label becoming harder to find on shoes as plants close

AP | 12/16/01 | David Sharp

[sarcasm]

Opportunity knocks?

[contessa machiaveli]

you can't really believe that. you get what you pay for; the quality coming from off shore factories is abyssmal. it's all a scam to increase profits of opportunistic maufacturers and in the process put many americans out of work. i'm thankful i can be selective although it's increasingly difficult to find clothing made in the US or europe where quality is higher (but i do manage to). my jeans and sweaters are made in the USA, shoes in spain or italy, and suits in italy. i've cut down on my wardrobe and i'm glad.

[jackbill]

The only losers are union thugs and inefficient producers.

I guess that I have a question. Of all of the "manufacturing jobs" that have been lost, were any of them non-union?

I just had an experience (again) with one of my sons who does a particular type of specialized "assembly" on the job site. He is non-union, but pays his employees extremely well. Whenever he does a job in NY or NJ, he puts his life on the line. This past week he had a job in NJ. Before he agreed to do the job he received assurance that there would be no union problems. At the last minute he was told that the "union" guys would unload the truck - a process that would have taken him one hour. Now they are trying to charge him for unloading the truck - four guys for eight hours.

By the way, the job was for a local government and he was required to pay the "prevailing wage". Of course he knew that, and had it in his quote. His employees were overjoyed - but the taxpayers of that town in NJ took it in the shorts.

[jackbill]

Tell your story to the 7+ million unemployed. They won't be buying your products this year - or anyone elses.

Yes they will, because we're going to extend unemployment benefits and also pay for their medical insurance. Why should they work?

[AMERIKA]

OOOOhhhhhhhhh. You are so much smarter than the rest of us here at FreeRepublic.

Why don't you explain all about Eustace Mullins, Jekyl Island in 1913 and the rest of it instead of being an ass and trying to insult eyeryone here.

[RnMomof7]

Free trade..they make everything and we trade our dollars and sovereignity to get it.

A country can not remain a great nation that makes nothing.

The demise of America is at hand..

[Aaron_A]

All I saw today was Made in China or Indonesia...and a lone Portugal.

[XBob]

5 - "Shoes are more affordable then ever. Employment and quality of living are at all-time highs. The only losers are union thugs and inefficient producers. It's a win-win-win for everyone except them. This is truly a great success story. "

Wow, gg, you really said it, and I am glad you agree. I am looking for people who aren't lazy and inefficient and greedy, and who wish to compete.

I work with several personel agencies who specialize in cheap efficient labor for all types of jobs.

Please give me your profession and your company and your boss's name, so I can contact him, as I am sure, I can get a replacement for you, at less than half your salary. You seem so self satisfied, it is obvious you are overpaid. We like to target over paid people with jobs like yours who understand about competetion, and being thrown in the street being so good for the rest of the country. That way, when we take people's jobs, no one gets mad, as the people we put out of work understand.

Please give me your profession, company, and bosses name, and we will try to make your boss very happy.

[XBob]

5 - "Shoes are more affordable then ever. Employment and quality of living are at all-time highs. The only losers are union thugs and inefficient producers. It's a win-win-win for everyone except them. This is truly a great success story. "

Wow, gg, you really said it, and I am glad you agree. I am looking for people who aren't lazy and inefficient and greedy, and who wish to compete.

I work with several personel agencies who specialize in cheap efficient labor for all types of jobs.

Please give me your profession and your company and your boss's name, so I can contact him, as I am sure, I can get a replacement for you, at less than half your salary. You seem so self satisfied, it is obvious you are overpaid. We like to target over paid people with jobs like yours who understand about competetion, and being thrown in the street being so good for the rest of the country. That way, when we take people's jobs, no one gets mad, as the people we put out of work understand.

Please give me your profession, company, and bosses name, and we will try to make your boss very happy.

[broomhilda]

Because the job you save may be your own, or your next door neighbor's, or another American's. I am not willing to pay American prices for foreign made goods. I use American currency. I buy American products. I refuse to buy Easy Spirits made in China with an American price tag. If you haven't noticed and you don't know why you really must be an alien. Have you ever heard of child labor? Who do you think makes those products?

[Clemenza]

Yawn.

The consumer is always right. We live in a knowledge-based economy now. Besides, manufacturing is more complex now. A Ford may be filled with components from other countries and a Toyota will include American made parts.

In other words, "made in the USA" doesn't mean anything nowadays. I myself look for quality, not where a product is made.

[Clemenza]

If you but into that "mase in the USA" crap, you are buying into a scam, as most of these items are assembled from foreign made components.