Was browsing yesterday in a Macy's, and every label in the teen and young womens department read "Made in Vietnam, China, India, Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, etc., and I remember thinking to myself that "Americans wouldn't know good quality fabrics, workmanship or design if they saw it," because we've lived with cheap foreign manufactured clothing and good for so long.
The first piece I pulled off the rack was the "Made in Vietnam" item and I thought of the War and how the guys who died over there in Vietnam would be turning over in their graves if they knew it had come to some shirt that was marked down twice to $12.99. I've long thought that "money talks" and eventually any and all world conflicts involving America will end up in American money paying for the inexpensive goods manufactured by the long ago (twenty-five years tops) enemy.
I guess what really bothered me yesterday was that we are paying our hard earned dollars for product that at best is generic in fabric, style and quality workmanship. Often it is defective in parts or pieces that are suppose to match or fit or be put together. It is frustrating to find that there is "no competition" to buy from, to get the quality one was accustom to or expects.
We are becoming a shoddy living and dressed nation,always looking for the affordable, but having to do with the cheap. I am very thankful and glad that the powers that be in this country are not outsourcing and handing over our military's needs to these "other nations of manufacturers" for then we would then surely be a great nation no more.
Yeah, I'm not sure what is considered "made in the USA" anymore.
The absence of a "made in New York City" label hasn't seemed to reduce it's affluence. The same thing is happening to the entire US. We do other things besides sweat shop labor. And I'm damn glad of it.
Sad day when we can't afford the products we produce.
We have priced our selves out of the market.
The Brooks Brothers suit I'm wearing was made in Israel. I have had it for five years, and it wears like iron. I have repeatedly slept in it on transatlantic flights and worked the next day, and with a bit of ironing it serves later in the week, too. The material is wool, and the construction appears to be traditional, with all the proper interlinings to keep the jacket's shape (unlike the "fashionable" stuff I see at Bananna Republic). Where would I get better, other than a bespoke tailor? (And I would not put a fine custom suit through such abuse.)
When Daimler-Chrysler built a new transmission plant here, they divulged that their cost for an inexperienced new hire, all benefits and taxes included, was $59.00/hour.
A friend of mine hired in and was told the first day by the Union Steward, "forget what the front office told you, forget what your supervisor told you, you do it how WE tell you!
Need I say more.
Otherwise, why pay more if some of my money ends up in union thugs' pockets?
bump
Free trade. Killer of our manufacturing and money that goes to an enemy (China). I buy made in USA products wherever I find them. Not much but at least it is my part.
Bump for a later read.