Posted on 10/13/2005 9:28:50 AM PDT by Willie Green
What part about only 15% of workers in manufacturing belong to unions don't you understand. Unions didn't bust small manufacturing as much as cheap foreign labor did. Big Labor has moved on to the permanent jobs of government employees, where the taxpayer will become the unions victim and the new "GM".
My guess is that it's American capital (money) which dominates the largest and most powerful multi-nationals...and that the principal function of the United States government is to protect that money and its owners.
I haven't seen any stats to prove or disprove this assertion. But such stats must exist.
Actually, that trend was initiated by post-WWII government policy as part of the Cold War strategy to rebuild our allies and block the spread of communism. Unfortunately, the transnational corporations that helped us successfully pursue that goal have now found it profitable to cooperate with communist nations, and assist them in plundering and undermining our peaceful prosperity.
All unions must die, especially those of government parasites.
I recently read that the average hourly expense for unionized workers at Delphi was $65/hour when you include wages, pensions, and health insurance.
Of course Delphi just went chapter 11.
People say that because it seems to happen in their imaginations. It does not happen in real life. If it did, then we'd see US unemployment rise along with soaring foreign wages. Reality is high US employment with increasing US wages and wealth.
I guess this depends on how you define multinational. I'll assume, for the sake of argument, you are referring to the major multinational corporations that are very large. These companies have offices, factories or branch plants in different countries and have a centralized head office where they coordinate global management.
Now let's look at your statement from the small business perspective. According the the SBA, in 2002 there were 22.9 million small businesses in the U.S. Of that number 17.2 million were sole proprietorships (roughly equivalent to nonemployers) and 5.7 million have employees.
Small businesses, as defined by the SBA, have less than 500 employees. Not exactly what you meant by multinational or transnational corporation is it? Lets look at how important these small businesses are to our economy:
It's bad enough that you characterize American based multinationals as un-American. However, It's requires total ignorance to believe that there are not many American companies left. I think you need to find a new bogeyman.
Our economic success is driven by the search for profits. Any businessman not loyal to making a profit does no one any favors and will not be in business long. To suggest that these millions of business owners would sell out their country for that profit is reprehensible. I know more than a few vets who own these kinds of businesses who would love to give you a quick impersonal lecture on exactly where their loyalties lie.
What is your answer to this "problem" as you see it?
I was trying to describe reality, not theoretical constitutional obligations. Sorry for the lack of clarity.
I understand. I think its important for all of us to say that the principle function of government is to protect individual rights, over and over again, so that Americans won't ever forget.
I was at a loss as to where to begin in the face of all these 'feelings' about the market place. Mushy feelings can be just fine in the bedroom, but in the market we need a hard clear reality.
That's the key.
We can blow off anyone saying "U.S. manufacturing, large and small, is in a deep decline," but when they say "and something needs to be done about it" we want to know just what kind of "something" that we're getting into.
Second Willie's comments in #35. Also redo trade agreements. This problem reached roaring proportions when Bush/Clinton made China permanent favorite trading partner. With this kind of government protection, the multinationals took a fast boat to China. So that's a starting point.
Successful trade relationships have to be reciprocal. We buy from you, you buy from us. This implies a much closer trade differential. And I don't mean exporting factories. If we are not making product for export [and not 'intellectual property'] that's another starting point, let's produce.
Also vote out incumbents who are unwilling to redo these unbalanced trade agreements.
Raise import taxes
Restrict multinational corporate political contributions and lobbying.
Punish businesses that sell overseas.
What information do you have on the effect of law suits on any finished goods?
Levy 10~15% tariff on all imported goods.
Nutso, trade wars will bring about a worldwide depression. Ever hear of Smoot Hawley?
Reduce corporate income tax.
How then do you propose to make it mandatory they pass these savings on to customers?
Reduce government social spending, increase investment in productive infrastructure.
Which party will be able to reduce social spending as necessary to bring about the results you want and remain in power?
Restrict multinational corporate political contributions and lobbying.
So what you are saying here is that the politicians are not corrupt it is the MONEY that is FORCING them to pass these trade deals?
Delphi has just filed for bankruptcy. The average cost per employee including benefits is in the area of $65.00 per hour. Nothing you have mentioned will come close to making this nation competitive with one who pays its workers $1.00 per hour with NO benefits. Some of what you said will bring the world economy to its knees and at that point we won't be concerned about American mfg or any other mfg for that matter because there will be none.
It's just that I get in such a sour mood when I'm looking at higher taxes and big government control. I got feelings too I guess.
Boy, you're sure right on THAT statement!
Here in my little Southern Oregon town of some 17,000, the newly-hired city manager is being paid $110,000 a year, plus he gets two months of sick leave and a $30,000 a year HOUSING allowance!
Plus, for many years, all county managers were automatically given nine weeks vacation a year, after one year's service, and they had the right to sell half the vacation time back to the county.
And we are a supposedly broke county, so much so that the sheriff is talking about halting all sheriff's patrols and keeping only the jail duties.
Incredible...and if you mulitply that extravagent spending on government employees across the country, and you get the idea why government keeps raising taxes and is getting more corrupt...
Ed
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