Forum Post: What Happened To "Buy American"? Why Aren't You "Patriots" Buying American Made Products?
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 14, 2011, 4:30 p.m. EST by MotorCityMadMan
(62)
from Wyandotte, MI
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Just a thought. I welcome your abuse and comments. Bring it on. I'm mad as hell that Americans don't support Americans with the only thing that seems to matter to many of them, MONEY. Did you drive a Japanese or Korean car to the protest, or to get your unemployment checks? Forget about Cadillacs and Lincolns, They're not as good enough, or exclusive enough to attract many of the 1%. Those are just for the so-called middle and upper-middle class that can't afford six or seven figure autos.
I agree with you. I agreed with you so much I ordered an American-made car, a 2012 Ford Fiesta, thinking I was giving some Americans employment. A few weeks later when I asked about its arrival, I was told it hadn't come to the dock yet. I didn't know there would be a dock involved in a car coming from Detroit to California. I don't know where it was made. I asked the salesman. He didn't seem sure. When I told him I had thought I was employing Americans, he laughed! He said he would find out where it was made and later told me it was made in Detroit, but I think was was just trying to appease me. Does anyone know how to find out where a car is manufactured? Are Fiestas made in America?
Yeah, with companies like this, why wouldn't you buy American?
http://www.occupywallst.org/forum/make-a-stand-join-the-clan/
The Revolution starts here!
Here are two concepts you should read about. When your done let me know if you still feel the same way. Comparative advantage, and division of labor.
According to the federal government, a vehicle with a 75-percent or more domestic parts rating is classified as a domestic vehicle. The web-based resource site Cars.com has compiled the 'American Made Index' that lists the top ten vehicles made in the U.S. according to where their parts came from, where they were finally assembled, and even how many were sold in the U.S.
The ten vehicles and where they're assembled are: Ford F-Series - Dearborn, Mich.; Kansas City, Mo.; Louisville, Ky.; Norfolk, Va. (Except Ford F-650, F-750) Chevrolet Silverado - Fort Wayne, Ind.; Pontiac, Mich. Toyota Camry; Camry Solara - Georgetown, Ky. (Except hybrid Camry) Ford E-Series - Lorain, Ohio Chevrolet Cobalt - Lordstown, Ohio (pictured) Ford Explorer - Louisville, Ky.; St. Louis, Mo. Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx - Kansas City, Kan. Ford Escape - Kansas City, Mo. Toyota Sienna - Princeton, Ind. Chevrolet TrailBlazer - Moraine, Ohio (Except now discontinued TrailBlazer EXT)
Oh, and I drive a Camry. :-)
There's Toyota plants all over the US. People can bash America all they want, but when a company wants a quality product they put the creation in the hands of Americans.
There are Toyota plants here, but where does the real money go? - Back to Japan. The rich Toyota execs don't trickle down any money into the american economy because they don't live here.
Its not just about where the product was man'tured but also where the corporate headquarters is located THAT IS WHERE THE PROFITS GO...
manufactured in america
and
headquarters in america
IS AMERICAN MADE
I was just attempting to give a positive light toward American quality.
not only americans do not buy american products, compnies like microsoft, ibm, hp, accenture, all retails strores out souce work to india and american lose more jobs, shame shame american companies
Because only people in America should have jobs? What gives the US people the audacity to think that corporations should only hire within our borders?
the trade wars and trade agreements favoring the rich over the blue collar is what gives us the audacity...
the question is what gives the corporations the audacity to think they can keep bending the rules and disregarding ethics without getting slapped.
So you make the restrictions tighter, what will the companies do? They will leave America, plain and simple. The arrogance of some people within the US clouds their judgement; companies don't HAVE to be here providing what jobs they do provide us now.
read the plan I support BEFORE you judge me.
we can tax imported goods at a higher rate then domestic goods.
http://alchemicalreaction.blogspot.com/2011/10/2011-occupy-america-peoples-official.html
So you WANT them to leave?!
so american companies will leave america, u have the nerve to think, ha ha where will they go india, china? with out dollar where will these countries be
No abuse here - I'm sympathetic. But what's the percent of components in a Big Three car that are U.S. made? Or even North American made (let's include Canada for the sake of argument, you're from Detroit, you know our manufacturing industries have long been integrated)? So when you buy that Chrysler, are you really buying something that's "Imported from Detroit" - or are you just buying the marketing?
Most U.S. companies are multinationals that source their manufacturing wherever it's cheapest. They may have factories in the U.S., but most of what they assemble was made somewhere else.
For your information the American is not 100% American has Japanese parts in it wake up you have been with blinders in America too long nothing is made in America anymore it is all made in China now!
"BUY", "BUY" and "BUY", but.....it's the 99%'s fault that the economy is the way it is, we bought way beyond our means???? Now, we are told to live within our means...funny in a very sad way and many of us are, yet there are still constant advertisements to keep pushing the "BUY" syndrome mentality. Seems when everyone was "BUYING", it was/is is the cause of this Recession/Depression, and NOT "BUYING" is the cause of this Recession/Depression. Which is it? Really, which is it? I think the 1% need to put down their champagne bottles/glasses, take the snear off their faces and stop seeing the world thru their "bubbly" . Buying American isn't what it use to be, nothing is completely made in America as it once was, no one is fool enough to believe it is. But, that being said, if the USA had more products MADE IN THE USA, instead of made in another Country, and affordable, we would be using them. Keep moving OWS, and all Occupiers, keep your message moving.
Yeah, sure because the fact that the money goes to people on your side of an imaginary line is so important. Buy American or Buy Australian or whatever only raises the exchange rate which penalises your exporters. All you're effectively doing is taking money from the most productive sectors (which can export) to the least effective (which can't even compete with imports without rediculous propaganda).
When the flux of products in the USA stores are made outside of our own Country, say like "MADE IN CHINA", isn't the money going to their side of the imaginary line? And making all other products made within one's Country least effective? There are no longer many Businesses/Stores, here in the USA that carry any made in the USA products, and if they do, it is maybe one product, against 100's of products made in other Countries and mostly "MADE IN CHINA", so as long as we continue to buy this influx of products "MADE IN CHINA" and don't consider putting our own products on our own shelves, causes issues with the exchange rates? Then change these rates for exporters/importers, and the laws that make it so difficult.
So the money is going to the other side of the imaginary line? So what?
The American cars are made in foreign countries now. Japanese cars are made here. The currencies of those countries are owned by the same private banks that own our currency. Euro, Yen, Dollar, Won etc. are all just brand names of the same International Banking Cartel. So, until we get our money back from them, it makes no difference where a product is made. It belongs to the banks. We are bank property too.
Oil is how we live. There is enough oil for the next 100 years easy. The reason big oil rules the world is because we need it. We don;t have electric ships, trains and 18 wheel trucks. The world needs oil. The world will fight for oil. Oil is everything. From gas in our cars to the our toothbrush. Tires on everything. Even guitar picks. Everything. Big oil rules the world. There is no replacement. Not the sun. Not a windmill. That stuff is cute but will not power a huge ship. Only oil will.
How about my Honda built in Indiana? (At a zero waste-to-landfill facility.) Where does that fit in with your "America is Great" ideology?
Besides, many "non-American made" items are made by Americal companies who have outsourced.
What about your corduroy jacket that is "made in America" but has materials from all over the world?
O, you are a product of an "American Education" so I forgive your naivety.
Corduroy?! Please sir/maam, I am a hippie with Style. Wouldn't be caught dead in corduroy, Hemp Rules!! (and not the kind you smoke)
just because trade agreements exist does mean we had a say in them or agree with their stipulations. your argument is invalid.
And furthermore:
[-] HowdyDoodyTime 0 points 2 hours ago I like Nissan, Toyota, Toshiba and Sony. what's good from USA, Idaho potatoes? ↥like ↧dislike reply permalink
[-] MotorCityMadMan (Wyandotte, MI) 1 points 2 hours ago Good one, why don't you look farther than your nose next time and maybe test drive an American car at least before you buy. They've come along ways since they actually produced crap. Oh, BTW, guess where most of the advances that they reverse-engineered came from first. Got me on the electronics only because there isn't much choice (except for VERY expensive "audiophile" A/V equipment). I remember Polaroid, Kodak, Curtis Mathis, and Emerson. Too bad they couldn't compete with unfair trade practices, price fixing, currency devaluation (on purpose to gain market share), and the had to cut in essential areas just to try and stave off the inevitable?
BTW- Last August I parked my gas guzzling full sized cargo van and bought a new Chevy HHR Panel (no windows). I drive it like I just stole it, maintain it well, and already have about 45,000 miles on it. It hasn't even so much as farted yet. My Chevy van (which I still own) has 245,000 miles on it, and I drove it the same way. I only paid $14,900 for the HHR, and $!9,900 for the G3500 van (brand new). I think that's a great deal.
I understand about how manufacturers "re-badge" things. It's done everywhere now. Mazda pick-ups are really Ford Rangers, Mitsubishi made cars for Chrysler, etc. I defer to my point about where the dollars go. My van was assembled in Canada, and I think the HHR was assembled in Mexico. I haven't got much of a problem with that either. They are a couple of our strongest trading partners and best customers. and they don't impose a 30% Tariff on our products like China. I don't know what the tariffs are in other countries, but I'm sure they're there. Thanks for your reply, and please consider Ford or Chevy (or their subsidiaries) for your next purchase. Maybe test drive one, they're really not made out of crap. Peace.
I try to buy only us wherever i can
That's great, there's websites for this purpose, and sometimes all you have to do is read a label. Thanks for you support.
I understand and feel your frustration. But this should make you feel much better. I know it's hard to believe but you have to: “WE ARE FREE!!!” (Take off the blinders) Isn't that why we're here? http://WeAreFree.osixs.org Wake----Up! It's time to throw off the chains...
FIGHT THE CAUSE - NOT THE SYMPTOM Free people shouldn't act or live like slaves...
Does the subway count as made in America?
It depends, in NYC, the R160, from Kawasaki Heavy Industries, are built in Hornell, NY and Yonkers NY, while some of the 142's and 143's are made in Yonkers NY, others in Japan. Now the exact location parts are made is another story. What type of cars are on your line? Do you know the make and model?
They are silver or red.
No subways in Dania Steve, lots of French Canadians spending money though (even if they have a reputation of being cheap).
They don't take showers either!
Remember, the French invented perfume. LOL
Are they going to fork over a little bit of their money to support me?
No thanks, I'll buy the best value at a lower cost, because I care about myself. Seems to be the mentality running rampant on their side.
Cheap isn't always the best "value". Cheap doesn't equate to value. You get what you pay for.
Hence me saying best value.
You are right, I misunderstood, my bad. You can probably see how I got that confused though.
Oh no I do, I threw "lower cost" in there too which I suppose isn't always true. No biggie.
Personally, I bought my Japanese car because I liked the exterior style, and interior design better than any American car. It's a 2009 honda Civic. I just love how the digitial display lights up when i insert the key, and I'm washed in a sea of blue light. Feels so high tech, and futuristic :) Meanwhile, when I rent a Ford Escort on business trips, I feel like I'm just driving a box with wheels. It's just...meh.
The rental companies buy as cheap as possible, who thought one made here could be cheaper than one made in Korea, but I digress. Some folks here won't be happy till all the cars are made in China. Peace.
Make nicer looking cars and I'll buy them. I just love how Hyuandai is styling their cars these days.
They are sharp. I like looking too, but won't buy one. American companies keep the money closer to home, even if it's assembled elsewhere. Thanks for the comment, and for keeping it civil.
We have american made products?
MissBirdy: "the chinese stuff is the same and way cheaper."
MotorCityMadMan (Wyandotte, MI) 1 points 0 minutes ago
Remember the poison pet food, contaminated toothpaste, lead paint on children's toys, Chinese Drywall Anybody? I rest my case.
Can anyone help me out on this one? I think I forgot a few (dozen).
Millions of pounds of recalled bad meat. Like that one? Oops, American.
Go here for more "great" American products: http://www.recalls.gov/recent.html
Never said we're perfect, but we need to stick together. United We Stand.....
[Deleted]
imagine: if you were walking down a street with your dog and child when suddenly your child was snatched and your dog was poisoned while you were squeezed like tainted toothpaste by a group of thugs. Then, when you went to the police, he told you, "a smart person would have earned enough money to have owned a car and enough common sense to have researched his route."
Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one
You should cite your work, or it is just stealing. and when there isn't a country (republic) to defend copyright, any yahoo can go around sounding all profound like John Lennon.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/imagine-lyrics-john-lennon.html
[Deleted]
Or Mississippi
ask Michael Schwerner and James Chaney: or any of the hundreds of other victims of southern bigotry
[Deleted]
Believe it or not, I'm trying to inspire people here. Thanks for the reply. Have a nice day (before someone like me ruins it, Ha, Ha. (imagine Nelson from the Simpon's). Oops, I just mentioned an American Icon that is produced in Korea. DOOH!! (Homer)
Such anger, sounds like you know a lot about battered women.
[Deleted]
Recycling is cool
Motorcity I have a web site that address's this I'm not a nut I started this idea 2 years ago could you check out www.nationalday911.org and at least read the summary if you think there's something there, read the entire site I think I did a decent job of collecting facts. It would be an amazing start to harnessing the finances in this country for everyone...thank you
Will do, thanks for the support!, got some errands to run, I'll be back and check it out later.
did you ever check it out?
I have a '94 Cadillac. I got a very good deal on it, too.
But I don't kid myself into thinking that it was all "Made in USA".
Global supply chains make it difficult and extremely cost-inefficient to buy things that are strictly made domestic.
I'd buy american if there was anything that was made in America that wasn't car and weapons.
Actually there still is, you just have to look.
Americans had a choice to buy American in the late 70's and early 80's. Now they feel can't afford to because their union job is gone, they have a lot less buying power and a lot less money to go around. And in many things, there isn't even a choice to be had in the market place what so ever. I believe people could get together and have boycotts and shop in local stores and change how they spend and make winners and losers in the market place.
Finally, a friendly comment, Thanks. Just check out labels. There's still some things around.
Do you like abuse??? :-)
I won't buy a piece of crap from a company that pays its CEO 400 times what the average employee makes to prop up a failing company, even if it is an American company.
They are part of the problem.
Please Sir May I Have Another ("Animal House"). LMFAO
I thought it was appropriate and funny when I wrote it.
Yeah, just playin'. Thanks for the civil reply, appreciate it. Some folks here are getting nasty. I knew my comment would "bring it" from both sides (as it was intended).
How do you feel about a nationwide boycott of Christmas?
What crapware on this forum. Every time I try to post I get the following error. please wait 0 minutes before making another post Read the Rules
I would bet my house that the vast majority of your possessions were made in factories where the CEO gets paid hundreds of times more than their average employees, regardless of country.
You can tell yourself that if it brings you comfort. Would I have to bet one of my houses?
I guess you are just part of the 1% then.
You can tell yourself that if it brings you comfort.
Much comfort. I think I even felt it move.
So you think I need to answer allegations instead of talking about the problems with this country.
I just think that expecting Americans to not buy from a company "that pays its CEO 400 times what the average employee makes" is unrealistic. What kind of cell phone, computer, tv, car, etc... do you have? What kind of food do you eat? What kind of toilet paper?
I would be curious to know how you live your life buying all those things from a company where the CEO is not paid exponentially more than it's average worker.
Parts of most American cars, laptops, cell phones, televisions and so are imported from foreign countries. What was your point again?
You said people shouldn't buy things from companies "that pays its CEO 400 times what the average employee makes." It is unrealistic, for you or anyone else.
Even if those parts are made outside of the US, they are still being made at companies with overpaid CEOs and underpaid workers. If anything it is ever worse in these developing nations. It is basically slave labor.
Personally, I just invest in the slave labor - you can't go wrong. Look at the returns of Asian and South America markets over the past few years.
Boycott Christmas people, send a message to Corporate America and the Government. Ignore the obtuse trolls.
So you admit that pretty much all of your possessions are made by these evil corporations?
Boycott Christmas people, ignore the trolls.
Why are people in the street protesting?
Personally, I have a lot of say in my families financial future. I don't worry about it at all. My wife and I are both dentists and neither of us have an open appointment until the end of January. We make good money and invest it wisely, using options to protect against market crashes and whatnot. We have a house on Cape Cod that provides us with another source of income. We are extremely lucky in that we can retire tomorrow, put our savings into some bonds, and probably live the rest of our lives just off the coupon payments.
I agree that we need to get the money out of politics, but that is about it. Once that happens, a lot of our other problems will take care of themselves through common sense solutions.
Yep, I wrote a Constitutional Amendment for just such an emergency. I have to go do a few repairs on one of our rentals. I just renovated the entire house pretty much. Did the fir floors, about 100 years old, saved them. We are pretty happy about that. The caulking around the tud cracked and is leaking.
I set up three days for various things that need to be done. Should be about an hour a day but have to not interrupt the tenant to much.
I think if the politicians relied on us, the people for election finances it would solve most of the issues.
http://www.nycga.net/groups/political-and-electoral-reform/docs/amendment-28-to-the-constitution-of-the-united-states-of-america
It is pretty clean but still needs a bit of work.
Beats the hell out of me.
How much say do you think you have in your financial future? My and my wife's future is fine. If this all goes south we will sell our houses and leave. I have fought long enough and hard enough to make this country what it was meant to be.
If the people cannot overcome the government and big money then there is little hope this country will ever be anything more than a shadow of what it was supposed to be. One definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result each time.
How can we when we can't afford them? Do you have any ideas? Sometimes buying American could be a status symbol. It would be something I wish to be able to do.
One way would to be buy "slightly" used. If you buy a used foreign car, the money stays here, in your local economy. However parts are another story, but there are used parts too (these are usually what you get when your car gets fixed after a crash, and you pay for new). Thanks for the civil reply.
If you buy anything second hand, it is a local purchase. Even if you buy a second hand Toyota completely built overseas, you are buying it from a local dealer (usually), and the overseas companies have already reaped their benefit. Since an item is only new until the tags are off, I have found lots of good quality things for a fraction of their cost new. Just sayin'
Well, since we can't find hardly anything made here anymore, we can buy them second hand from Goodwill or people placing ads on the internet. If we did not buy news items for a year but brought used this may have an effect on the corporations.
Right on, think Green (in more ways than one). Peace.
My Toyota was built in Tennessee by union labor. My US bank shipped its profits and 30,000 jobs to India. Go figure...
That's Right.
Ummm, right. It is called "Globalization" and it is bigger than you realise.
You think all American products are made in America with American matl. by American Companies? Where is a buzzer when one needs one.
Well sure, there are some, but mostly it is a wordwide, intermixed conglomeration that makes a product, from GAP pants to ACE brooms to automobiles.
I buy based on quality. What good is a $10 Amercian made coffeepot that is cheaply made compared to say a France made coffee pot at $30 that will last me years longer?
Time for you to go back to school.
i dont purposely buy american because american made products are much more expensive. My goal as a low income citizen is to watch my pocketbook and shop smart. To purposely pay more money for a product just for the sake of buying american is not in my interest and i am wasting money that can be saved or used for bills or medical care. There should be no patriotism in shopping. Or you will go broke.
I made that same assumption, but have often found US products are no more, and sometimes they're less, than their imported counterpart We only ask that you compare. Another factor: not all imported food is subject to the same quality controls as US products are, so they may cost more in the long run.
example; as a guitarist an american made fender stratocaster is $1200. I go online, shop around, talk to experts who are older and tell me you can find a made in mexico or made in china stratocaster that is almost the same quality, and at times better, that costs much much less. I go with the foreign made guitar because it is of almost the same quality and much much cheaper. I save the 500 dollars and put it towards gas, groceries, etc.
Then do not buy the guitar ... which will not feed your family or drive your car!
ur telling me i should not buy one guitar which will last me decades? I have enough to buy a guitar...but not just some 1200 dollar one.
That is one way of fighting back ... Use the money instead to help someone in need.
i am an artist and i think i deserve a nice guitar to enjoy my talent. Dont i deserve it for all the work i do? Maybe i should break up my band and spend all my free time at homeless shelters?
Everyone deserves happiness ...
Gimme Honda, Gimme Sony So cheap and real phony Hong Kong dollars and Indian cents English pounds and Eskimo pence
By shopping smart as you say you are putting yourself and others out of work down the road and destroying our economy. You are also falling into the trap of buying foreign products that will eliminate the middle class here in America which is exactly what "they" want you to do.
when did i become responsible for all this? i am not responsible. I have to live cheap to survive!!
We are all responsible for this. I hear you when you say that you have to live cheap to survive. Maybe that is something you and all of us should be standing up and fighting for... decent housing, food and the basic staples of life since we are what runs this economy.
but you cant just demand the govt to give them to us.
For 13 years, I drove a Ford. That "Ford" was built in Korea, by KIA motors. When the "Ford" was worn out and it was time to buy another car, Ford no longer sold that car, or anything much like it. As the "Ford" was actually a KIA to begin with, I bought a KIA. Times have changed, and Detroit is producing some smaller, more efficient vehicles that I wouldn't need a 30 year mortgage to buy. They keep that up, and the next ride will be American made.
I buy American whenever I can, but there are so many things that just aren't made here anymore: Television? nope, Telephone? forgeddaboutit! Camera? The Japanese have owned that biz since the 1960s.
BTW- Last August I parked my gas guzzling full sized cargo van and bought a new Chevy HHR Panel (no windows). I drive it like I just stole it, maintain it well, and already have about 45,000 miles on it. It hasn't even so much as farted yet. My Chevy van (which I still own) has 245,000 miles on it, and I drove it the same way. I only paid $14,900 for the HHR, and $!9,900 for the G3500 van (brand new). I think that's a great deal.
I understand about how manufacturers "re-badge" things. It's done everywhere now. Mazda pick-ups are really Ford Rangers, Mitsubishi made cars for Chrysler, etc. I defer to my point about where the dollars go. My van was assembled in Canada, and I think the HHR was assembled in Mexico. I haven't got much of a problem with that either. They are a couple of our strongest trading partners and best customers. and they don't impose a 30% Tariff on our products like China. I don't know what the tariffs are in other countries, but I'm sure they're there.
Thanks for your reply, and please consider Ford or Chevy (or their subsidiaries) for your next purchase. Maybe test drive one, they're really not made out of crap.
Peace.
Sadly, I suspect that the parts are made overseas. Hell, most books are printed in China.
True, but the money for the most part stays here when you buy "American". When you buy foreign owned, but "American Made", the dollars go away.
To say "buy American "is just silly. The computer you are working on right now is made in China along with all of its parts. So is your cell phone. So is most of the stuff in your house. Turn stuff over and see where it is made. My new American name Vacuum is made in China. My printer from Canon is made in China. So is my modem and router from the American name Co Cisco. My TV stand is from China. My computer desk is from China. My Samsung Refridge is made in Japan. My hi end Bose sound system is made in Japan because America does not make a system for my TV
Even the Japanese are making stuff there. What does that say?
It is just business. The American way. If I had a small factory that made vacuums in America but my compitition made theirs in China for $1.00 per hour, I would have to set up there also or I would go away.
I certainly did not vote for this! Why are we supporting a red communist country? Money and nothing else matters.
And the U.S. Goverment owes China trillions in debt. Did you not know that either?
Yes, I know China owns America.
Because they have millions of people who for a thousand years have had nothing. Now they will work very cheap. They come down from the hills and farms and mountain by the millions to work wherever they can in thousands of factories..
By supporting communist are we condoning it?
Yes. If you have a cool cell phone and a flat TV, you are. We are.
But I did not have a say on how I wanted my country run. No, I have a very cheap cell phone with no bell or whistles. I use it just for my safety in case I need to call for help. Yes, I do have a cheap flat screen, but I am thinking seriously about quitting TV. I am down to local with rabbit ears.
Thats very cool but I think you are better than the rest of us. Not to many folks going to give up on their smart phones an flat TV's
I hope you are wrong once they realize the costs to their souls and fellow man.
I am very sorry but when it comes down to money and profit, money always wins. The number 1 reason for a corporation is too make money.
Not the no. 1 reason, the sole reason. The sole reason for a corporation to exist is to make a profit. From your Mom & Pop ice cream store down on Main St. to General Motors.
Yup, that is the American way and it has given us the best living standard in the world. Still, even today. Our very poor people in America are rich compared to some other places I've been to. If you are hungry you can still take some bottles and cans to the store and buy Jack In the Box tacos and a breakfast jack for next to nothing.
Yet, it wasn't always so.
What if we eliminate money and corporations and instead develop communities consisting of people with different skill sets that support each other? There has to be a better road to take ...
Not possible, big oil rules the world. The big corporations rule the world.
)-; Oil is a finite resource. What happens when it runs out? I know that wars are fought for it now. I have also been told that sooner of later different communities would fight each other ... such as human nature is. Maybe there will be what they call a paradigm shift in human nature ... don't really understand this ... or something else
I have to go pick up my wife now, will be back. Good thing one of us is working full-time and has decent insurance for both of us, but I digress again. Look forward to your comments when I get back
You can buy American but it is hard when EVERYTHING is made in Mexico and China. Try and find an American made TV or cell phone. So if you have a cell phone are you anti American?
No, we are Americans that have not had a say on how our country should be run.
Sorry, as long as we buy TV's and Iphones from China, nothing will change. WE just do not build stuff anymore. Most of what we made is gone. From brooms to dustpans, it is all made in China and Mexico.
Well, if you go into a Harbor Fright store you will not find any tools made in America. Many American cars are made in Mexico or many of the main parts are. Many forign cars are made in America like Honda or Hundie. Many of our products are designed in America but built in China. If you want to buy American it is pretty hard. For example, we all have a TV. Every large screen TV sold in America is built in China or some place else. Same with home sound systems. You can still find some good union made clothes to wear but they will cost twice as much. Go to Home Depot or Lowes or Costco. Everything is from China. It is too late. In Mexico , folks who make large items get paid $1.50 per hour. We can not compete.
Buy Sears Craftsman.
They just cost too much. One 3/4 rachet can cost as much as an entire set of tools at Harbor Freight. Low income folks just cannot buy the Sears tools. If I need a single tool like an extension breaker bar, I'll go to Harbor Freight because The Sears bar will cost $23.00. The HF bar will cost $6.00 .
Ha, maybe when they lower our wages to match we can compete. Think elimination of the middle class in America!
I'm sorry, thay cannot match. In Mexico the workers will be paid $1.50 per hour.
Oh, wait and see ...
Why do you assume that "everyone" doesn't try to buy american when possible. I always go with the made in the USA option. I also try to buy products made in my home state and only buy my produce at the farmers market from local farmers. I think many people are doing this now, it sounds like you are the one who feels guilty about not doing the same
I shop at my local HEB and support local farmer's markets too. One point is why do I want to eat food depleted in vitamins that has traveled distances and probably sprayed with chemicals that are outlawed in America? The food you buy local is a lot fresher which means it nourishes your body better which defends against illness.
I can't afford an Abrams tank, unlike Greece.
Evidently they can't either! LOL
They ordered a crap load.
On Credit, I'm sure. Wish I could ROTFL at that one. We're probably gonna be paying for that one too. Sinking tides lower boats.
i'm on strike.
Please!
BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!
I always try and buy American made products even if it costs alittle more.
We must stop importing more than we export!
Everyone needs to wake up and realize we are own worst enemy!!!
BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!
We need to support American companies and they will support the 99%!
Foreign companies just take our money overseas!
Im a OWS supporter that believes we need business as much as business needs us. So support your Mom and pop shops and shift your buying habits to support your local communities!
its easy to do if you have a high income, if you have a low income it is absolutely insane to pay more for something on principle.
I agree, except American companies have not supported us by moving overseas. I say develop communities with different skill sets and support each other and screw big business.
American products have a reputation today, of being overpriced and poorly made. It's an argument that's been going on for decades. People want the most for their dollar. Self centered, greedy, thoughtless, short sighted? Maybe, but that is just the way it is.
Well I'm certainly not going to reward a company for making a crappy product. I buy the product that gives me the best value for my dollar.
I agree, I do the same. I buy what I need and get the most value for my dollar and use my credit cards to have the bank pay me.
How many of those products do you really need?
What does it matter how many do I need? I actually buy very little in the way of consumables. Most of my money is plowed back into real estate investment. But if I do need something, like say a new mini fryer, I'm going to buy the one I think gives me the best value and where it comes from be damned.
Really real estate? Ha, I purchased my house for 120k 10/15 years ago and it is not worth 78k! As far as the rest of your statement goes then do not complain when you lose your job. Fried foods are bad for you anyway. Buy an American made Sun oven and cook with the sun ... food tastes so much better. I say buy just what you need and nothing more as a way of fighting back to bring back American jobs so our economy does not collapse which it is in motion to do now.
Well since I wasn't a fool to buy housing before the collapse, I'm doing just fine with it thank you. And that's really the only non-building material purchase I could think of besides food that we've bought in like the last six months. And I live in Chicago, I don't think a sun stove would be too reliable here.
Oh foreclosures huh? I have lived in Chicago and have a lot of Italian relatives there that I do not know.
All the sun oven needs is the sun with no cloud cover. It does not depend on the ambient temperature. Okay, good luck ...
It's a good place to be right now. Houses are cheap and rents are high. And since we haven't seen the sun in about 4 days, I'm thinking we'll keep our gas stove.
See, I could not be in that place, but to each their own. I love gas cooking, but I am trying to save on our earth resources and you never know when gas or electric will not be available. Peace (-:
Should we raise taxes on foreign products like we did in 1933? How did that workout?
Well I for one would like to see a more level playing field, but I know tariffs are just passed along in the form of higher prices. But wouldn't that level things a bit and perhaps force some to buy what then would be a cheaper or competitive American product? And if mores sales for American companies happened because of this, would that spur more hiring than tax give-a-ways? A good vicious circle for a change. I'm no economist, just thinkin' out loud.
If it is cheaper to buy a Korean car, then you should buy it. It helps America to have cheap imports. Why would you want a Government Motors car anyway?
If I'm not mistaken GM has paid back all or some of the loans, and is making good on the rest. At least their are not a foreign owned entity entirely like Chrysler.
shop car companies that did not take the bailout. Buy Ford. Buy toyota. GM should have went under like a failed company should.
Did you post that nonsense using a PC made in Asia?
How about I-Phones? they are all manufactured overseas.
[Removed]
http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2009/04/07/u-s-opts-out-of-purchasing-american-condoms-job-losses-expected.aspx
[Removed]
Actually, YES!
Best product for the best price and I don't care where it comes from.
Sellout!
No, that's what's best for my pocket book and best for the market. You don't want to reward companies for making inferior products do you?
There aren't many.
It's a little expensive. New Balance make some shoes here, but they cost $110-$130 a pair. I don't know about you guys but I've never payed more than $50 for a pair of shoes.
It could be done. I think most Americans could refrain from buying any new product, not made in America for one year. There is a website with some links for products made in USA. Just google that.
I have a pair of NB's. You're right. They are expensive, but last 3-4 times longer and are way more comfy. Have you seen the price of most Nikes lately? They are an American company avoiding taxes, exploiting foreign labor and their customers. Air Jordans-$200 and up, cost pennies to make. All I can say is that if you want cheap shoes at all cost, go to WalMart or Payless. For those that can't afford a good value for the money and have to buy as cheaply as possible I totally understand. I have been a frequent flier at these establishment when I can't afford anything else. Being in the building trade myself, that's more often the case right now for me than I would like to admit. I wish I was working now, and not typing away, but I digress. Thanks for letting me vent a little. Peace.
I do agree with you guys that America needs to make more stuff because we have largely gotten away from manufacturing and gravitated towards a services based economy (financial, technical, etc). However, my feeling for some time on this issue is that we as a society have largely created our own problem in that we want our stuff cheap and of good (not necessarily great) quality. I am just as guilty of this as the next person. Why has Walmart, Target, K-mart and a host of other corporations dominated the retail landscape in our country for decades now? Why are the mom and pop grocery stores out of business? Why are the independent retailers on main street closing their doors? They can't compete with the buying power of large discount, corporations who use their volume to drive down pricing for the same products and the cheap price calls to us like a siren song. I am all for American products but if you look a little closer you will find that many of the so called American products are not even produced in the US but rather in US territories like US Samoa where sweat shops are set up using foreign workers who are duped at the hope of a good job and then trapped on the factory with wages so low that they can't leave the barracks they are living in on the premises. Obviously not all American products fall in this category but I think if you look a little deeper you will find that many "made in America" products will not stand up to this scrutiny.
Thanks for your reply. Another point to be made along this vein is the fact that many companies that you think are American are actually foreign owned entities.
Because GM sucks balls!!!!!!!
your opinion, nothing more, nothing less. Have a Nice Day:)
Its a fact that overpriced Chevy volts are catching fire due to piss poor engineering and construction
Check out a company called "Tesla" in California. 100% electric cars, 300 mile range, 0-60 in about 4.9 seconds. Expensive, but they're releasing a sedan soon for half the price.
And they cost as much as a house
Some houses, true. But like I said they're almost ready to roll out a sedan, seats 4, same range, half the price.
If they hit the sub $30k range then they'll have a viable product.
I like Nissan, Toyota, Toshiba and Sony. what's good from USA, Idaho potatoes?
Good one, why don't you look farther than your nose next time and maybe test drive an American car at least before you buy. They've come along ways since they actually produced crap. Oh, BTW, guess where most of the advances that they reverse-engineered came from first. Got me on the electronics only because there isn't much choice (except for VERY expensive "audiophile" A/V equipment). I remember Polaroid, Kodak, Curtis Mathis, and Emerson. Too bad they couldn't compete with unfair trade practices, price fixing, currency devaluation (on purpose to gain market share), and the had to cut in essential areas just to try and stave off the inevitable?
American cars are really made all over the place. If you bought an "American" PT Cruiser, I bet you did not know that the whole car was made in Mexico. You cannot really say "buy American " cars anymore.
Gimme Honda, Gimme Sony So cheap and real phony Hong Kong dollars and Indian cents English pounds and Eskimo pence
Very nice...hahaha!
Clash lyrics...from album "Sandinista" totally excellent record
"Record"? I remember records. We're showing our age, LOL
Records and cassettes were superior to CD's, 8 tracks too..CD's becoming obsolete any who
Aaah, a poet.
I must give the Clash credit. Lyrics from "magnificent seven"...Sandinista album. Excellent record.. Love the Clash,,Joe Strummer RIP.
I saw them open for the Who's first farewell tour back in '80. Incredible show...blew the Who away that night.
I saw them @ the Paladium around 1979 or 1980 ? London calling tour. one of the greatest bands ever.
This one may apply here.
Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4SKL7f9n58
We don't need no education We dont need no thought control No dark sarcasm in the classroom Teachers leave them kids alone Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone! All in all it's just another brick in the wall. All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
I don't need no arms around me And I dont need no drugs to calm me. I have seen the writing on the wall.
I saw PF @ MSG..during their Animals tour.. Oh no...I'm giving away my age. It musta been around 1978... everybody was high as a kite. Just breathing the air in there got you stoned
my uncle was a roadie for that tour. I saw them in '92, without Waters though. Still AWESOME!!
I remember all the big animal balloons and all the funny cigarettes being passed around. And them singing "pigs"
I dreamed I saw that show once...does that count? hehe
no..really do have to be there... even if you went you will later not remember it..due to mj and beer
hahaha...that explains much. At the time that was definitely my mixture of choice...I only hope I stopped in time to save a few brain cells! hehe
Aaah, the good ol' days
Check this sample out by Roger Waters (lead guitar by Jeff Beck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaGXVU2CbNs
What God wants God gets God help us all What God wants God gets God wants goodness God wants light God wants mayhem God wants a clean fight What God wants God gets Don't look so surprised It's only dogma.....
What God wants God gets God help us all God wants peace God wants war God wants famine God wants chain stories What God wants God gets God wants sedition God wants sex God wants freedom God wants semtex What God wants God gets Don't look so surprised....
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/r/roger_waters/#share
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/r/roger_waters/#share
I like it. I like Pink Floyd. Shine on you crazy diamond
Thanks man, appreciate it.
the chinese stuff is the same and way cheaper.
Remember the poison pet food, contaminated toothpaste, lead paint on children's toys, Chinese Drywall Anybody? I rest my case.
No I dont remember that. Maybe the chinese are putting something in the food that effects my memory and thinking.
just google "Chinese Drywall" and see what comes up, I double-dog dare you.
Just Google "u.s. product recalls" and see what comes up.
Well I guess it won't matter soon, pretty soon We won't manufacture anything, Asia will just buy us out then exploit us like their own.
The 2009 Chinese drywall controversy is a health and safety issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China and imported by the United States starting in 2001. They are trying to kill us.
here you go
2009 Chinese drywall controversy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The 2009 Chinese drywall controversy is a health and safety issue involving defective drywall manufactured in China and imported by the United States starting ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Chinese_drywall_controversy - Cached - Similar
I looked at that. It does not make me happy.
Here is another one you may recall...pun intended...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20254745/ns/business-consumer_news/t/mattel-issues-new-massive-china-toy-recall/#.TsHbdfL4I7U
what are they doing to us? we are so stupid.
I know what you mean. I think we are so focused on our own agendas that we lose perspective on what matters and what is happening around us until it smacks us in the head then we are startled...hehe. Critical thinking is our best hope so that we...(wait for it)...Won't Get Fooled Again!
Ever wonder why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs! Ps. I agree with your ideas...I am trying to think more critically.
hahaha...good point. I have no good explanation for that one...hehe.
There is way more where that came from. Everything I said was true, and it scares me. My two cats died from renal failure due to melamine contamination. And I didn't buy Chinese cat food. It was a component in MANY foods that came from China. Evidently somehow it boosts the test levels for protein. The Chinese killed many of their own baby's with tainted baby food containing melamine. It's true, and verifiable. Thanks for your interest enough to check it out.
No problem. I like Pink Floyd too. Poor Sid Barrett....too much heroin ?? LSD caused his degeneration.
but made for great music!
yeah listening to them was definitely enhanced w/ weed.
Blaze On fellow American, Blaze ON, Peace!
listen. I think I'm a little older than you.. and I'm kinda sober now. But when ever I hear Floyd...I think about getting high.
Someones messing with my page
no way
Good then go take Chinese and move there. But the moral of the American worker has been so shaken because so many have been screwed by companies that they have worked for all their lives by duping them out of pensions, firing them and moving their jobs overseas you can't help but wonder what the quality of American products would/will have.
I understand your anger Karen but are you surprised? For profit corporations have readily demonstrated that there is no level to which they will not go in pursuit of the only thing they are designed to do...make profit. I think a large portion of the blame lies with American for profit corporations not so much with the Chinese (although they certainly have a part in this) and with our own greed for good (not great) cheap stuff. For some folks who are struggling to make ends meet they have to find the best deal they can so I don't fault those who are struggling. But we all do this (including me) and the effects of this practice for the last 50 years are starting to come home to roost. For profit corporations certainly don't care about the loss of American jobs (unless they perceive that it will adversely affect their ability to make profit) as demonstrated by their utter disregard for human life in the BP Gulf of Mexico disaster, the P G & E San Bruno, CA explosion and the Union Carbide chemical disaster in Bhopal, India. If for profit corporations are willing to sacrifice human life to preserve profit what level will they not stoop to?
Hi, no I am not surprised because I have been watching it happen for the last 50 years ... you are right on every count. The American people have been advertised/brainwashed too to buy, buy, buy, keep up with the Jones and preoccupied with stuff they have no mind of their own.
hey I like chicken with broccoli and egg drop soup. lighten up dude.
Reality sweetie ...