Manufacturing making a comeback?

One of the reasons the country is in such bad financial shape is that we stopped manufacturing our own products.

The only way we will be able to create a sustainable economy, notice I didn't say a "growing" economy, is to include more factory/manufacturing jobs within our own borders.

Do you think this would solve many of our problems?

 

It would provide a greater range of employment choices which, in turn, would move many into a productive like.

Not everyone can go to college, nor should everyone even try!

 

Most economists that seem to have their heads screwed on properly subscribe to the notion that a nation's capacity for diverse and sophisticated manufacturing leaves it less vulnerable to economic blackmail by other countries.

 

It makes total sense.

Why in the world would educators and other leaders, continue to push a college education, knowing that economists see the lack of manufacturing as a real weakness?

Do you think they are hiding another motive behind the college push?

 

I think the concept of having more local manufacturing is a good one. But in practice here's an example of what's happened:

You can buy an American made Fender Stratocaster electric guitar for something like $500 or in the ballpark of that, or you can buy a Fender licensed Chinese made Bullet Stratocaster for about $115. I've auditioned both of them and what very little difference there is between them is not worth the difference in price.

It will still be difficult to compete with countries that have cheap labour.

 

Very true... I think that would solve a huge number of economic problems... BUT... and it's a big but... since we can't do it for as cheaply as other places can manufacture the same item, I fear that greed will win out.

 

It sure will be... no question there. I am always appalled (although I shouldn't be, it's been going on long enough) at the difficulty there is in finding a product that is American or Canadian made.

 

These are the businessesthat need good tax breaks, the ones willing to establish (or bring back to America) manufacturing jobs. Give them a little hand up until they're running and building their business. We'll get it back in taxes, and the boost to the economy with folks buying American durable goods again.

 

I guess years from now it will be easy to see where the bottom of all this is, but right now it seems like it will be tough to recognize when things have gotten as low as they'll get.

I'm afraid that there will be "benchmarks" like GM going bankrupt or merging with Chrysler as a desperate attempt to stay in business.

 

Went to Home Depot thnking about getting a new drill. Looked at Rigid, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Dewalt, Bosch -- nearly all made in China. Exception was Bosch which was made in Malaysia but batteries made in China. Even the Japanese companies have their products made in China. I ended up not buying anything. Maybe when my current 30 year old drill finally is beyond help, there will be something made in this hemisphere.

 

I think that may be coming to an end, but taxing these imports to bring them up beyond the prices of the US made products would be the logical change needed to bring that manufacturing back into the USA.

The tax loopholes companies have been using to maintain their outsourcing habits are supposed to be shut down soon, according to the Obama administration. The trade agreements that have allowed this to happen, are fairly simple to change, IMHO.

If there was aeer a time to end these trade agreements, it's right now.

 

Sad commentary there, vet. Just out of curiosity, may I ask where your 30 year old drill was manufactured? I mean, if it's following the pattern I've noticed myself, it's American (or Canadian) made?

I've had a terrible problem with vacuum cleaners for the same reason. I finally just had to spend more and get one that was going to last and not cheap junk made in China.

 

Well isn't that positively frightening?! If things like that are in the cards to happen (and I agree that they will) then wouldn't that actually mean that the problems are only *beginning?*

 

Someone in another forum was talking about this very problem. Their reply has stuck with me.
Your parents always want you to have a better life than they did. So they push their children for more education or skills than they have. So our society kept getting better jobs until we virtually ran ourselves out of manufacturing. We are now a services country instead of an industrial. And as previously stated, we are extremely vulnerable. So this combined with cheap foreign labor, has left us where we are now. I, like most others, would love to buy American, but when you go to most stores that isn't even an option. I will pay 5 extra bucks for a plain tshirt. But, I am not even given the option. I would think a merchant could put up 2 displays side by side. Label one for 7$ a shirt. Label the next for 12$ a shirt with a sign that says proudly made in USA. I know which shirt I'd buy. It's just disappointing.
Sorry for the rant.

 

It's not a rant, it's the truth. It would be an interesting experiment. Though I do have to admit that I know people who would rather buy 3rd world....to "help those poor people out."

 

Yeah, they might get a raise from 50cents a day to 51. Talk about getting moved into the next tax bracket. lol

 

If they stopped paying CEO's huge bonuses on top of obscene salaries, these businesses might not need tax incentives to bring their operations back inside US borders.

 

I agree. People need to be given the choice with clearly labeled products. If people could understand that they are REALLY helping the economy if they can buy the American made goods, I think a good percentage people would do it if it was feasible for them. Buying American keeps manufacturing here.

 

The governor of Michigan was on CNN this morning, discussing their budget and now schools will have to be closed and teachers laid off.

During the discussion he also talked about the way Michigan, especially Detroit, is too dependent on the auto industry for jobs and revenue.

For some reason, I can't figure out why no one ever stopped to think how allowing one industry to dominate and area could spell death for its economy.

When I see things like this I truly wonder why anyone needs a college education, if it trumps the common sense that says, "don't put all your eggs in one basket"!

 

I have worked in a number of diverse jobs in my life and found one main thing to be true.We are like sheep.We follow trends and try to keep up with the Jones's.We expect to have a lifestyle that is comfortable with all the toys and we spend like it will never end.When there is a recession we blame the CEO's, and whichever government is in power is supposed to help us.
We have to go back to the basics.Common sense does not seem all that common.In the dirty thirties people in worse circumstances made do by believing in themselves and created their own businesses.It all starts with a simple plan.There are a number of free templates for starting a business plan on the net.Of all the people I know,there are about 3 out of a hundred that actually will have a plan.You have to take charge of your life,find the balance of what you need and what you want.Find a hobby you like,become good at it and learn to sell your services.Be an entrepeneur.There will always be foreign ownership of businesses.This has been going on for thousands of years.You do not need college but it helps.Learn what it takes to achieve your, goals follow through and you will be a success.The economy is picking up slowly and we will have to adapt to it with self reliance.There is a good market for well crafted goods at a fair price.
I just built a two story woodworking shop and bought a small cnc router.I have a day job in a local hatchery but will not leave there until my part time business pays as well as it has health benefits.I have enough orders to keep me going steady if i choose but will pick and choose my own timing.Every day brings us new opportunities if we learn what to look for.Never did like being a sheep any ways.Baaaaa.