You've also fallen for this notion that the wages historically paid to American workers have kept companies from competing in the marketplace. We have countless corporations move manufacturing to countries that supply workers at slave labor wages yet the so-called savings have never been passed on to American consumers. Look at the escalation in prices we've seen over the last couple decades for shoes, shirts, pants, food etc. all now produced in these low wage countries yet the price tag is now a multiple of what it was back in the 70's and 80's. Free trade was nothing more than a scam to de-industrialize America and decimate the middle-class in order to further line the pockets of the multinationals, pure and simple.
You do have several good points but what we're seeing is a colonization of this country by a foreign power, with the assistance of our own gov't. for the benefit of faceless, godless, nationless corporations who only worship the almighty dollar. I hope someday that you truly understand the reality of our situation and the savage price we'll all pay in the future.
That's a point that is seldom brought up by the free traders who want the cheap labor. Nike sneakers used to be made here, with the cost of them high, about $100.00, but the workers made a decent wage.
They moved the company to Asia, paying the child labor about 50 cents an hour, but the price of the sneaker is still, if not more, than it was here. Someone's getting rich, and it's not the workers.
The same thing is going on with illegal immigrants into this country. The corporations are using them to cut costs, but the prices don't come down, and the executives get their 20 million dollar Christmas bonuses.
Free enterprise is one thing, but if these companies don't have a strong, middle class with buying power to purchase their goods, then how do they plan to stay in business? Henry Ford, for all his imperfections understood that, which is why he began offering his workers a livable wage. Now Ford is like the rest of them...screw the American worker, it's only the green for themselves that matters.
Eventually it's all going to come crashing down on them.
Hogwash. There aren't "millions" of illegal immigrants in this Nation,
nor does this Nation spend "billions of dollars" for any programs in
their behalf.
re:
"....We have countless corporations move manufacturing to countries
that supply workers at slave labor wages yet the so-called savings
have never been passed on to American consumers. Look at the
escalation in prices we've seen over the last couple decades for shoes,
shirts, pants, food etc. all now produced in these low wage countries
yet the price tag is now a multiple of what it was back in the 70's and 80's......"
Oh really?
In the 70s-80s, my telephone ancillary devices cost four times as much,
prices of all electronic ware were astronomical compared to now.
WalMart sells shoes for $3 per pair on clearance; normal pricing of
their shoes are $15-$30. I can remember paying $75 for a pair of
Florsheim shoes in the 60s and having to have the sole repaired two
months later.
Stores buy clothing at a small fraction of the price you pay. Haven't
you noticed 50% sales at the end of season? They make money even
at 50%. One client of ours pays under $2.00 for shirts she sells for
$85.00 [and up] in her shop. Amazing, isn't it? They have you believing
it's the "multinationals" that are doing it? I have news for you my friend,
it's American greed, not outside forces. We are our own worst enemy.
The imports, imported labor, and foreign manufacturing have provided
this Nation's businesses with higher profits, higher American wages and
the ability for the American to buy products falling within their budgets.
re:
"..we're seeing is a colonization of this country by a foreign power...."
Radio City Music Hall in NYC was bankrupt and about to be a memory,
when it was purchased by those of a foreign Nation. It stands and operates
today stronger than before, thanks to that purchase. Money from those
in foreign Nations are supporting many, many businesses that would otherwise
have failed. Rather than shudder at the investments into our Nation, we
should welcome it.
Actors and actresses that live in foreign nations make their great wealth
here and take it back to their nation's banks. Yet the plight of some Mexican
working for pennies to your dollar, who is taking the cash back to support
his family until they can afford to move here and become citizens, is denounced?
We at one time welcomed immigration, now the "conservatives" appear to
hate the notion that we offer anything to foreigners.
In my opinion, that's either a setup by the liberals to cast "conservatism" in
the darkest light, or just plain ignorance by those falling for the propaganda.
Maybe it's time the "conservatives" tear down that foolish statue in NY,
it's words have become meaningless.