It's nice to see that I am the only one concerned about our future.
Tim K
Tim,
No, you're not. My dad has been preaching "BUY AMERICAN" to me since I was old enough to understand the English language. He's still doing it, even though I'm 35 years old and agree with him 100%. I will not own a foreign car....... Ever. We are kill ourselves to a slow excruciating death and most don't even realize it. Hell, we even let the foreign manufacturers build plants stateside so we can buy the things we want/need and still satisfy our "Buy American" urges. The Japanese won't let us build anything over there because they've seen how successfully they've pulled the wool over our eyes with the same tactic. Reguardless of what Forbes magazine (or any other financial report) will print, higher gross sales does NOT equate to a better economy. If you're not paying the people you expect to buy the goods to produce those goods, then who are you going to sell them to? It's sure no going to the the 10yo kids in China, Indonesia, Mexico, India, or wherever who are making them. If the people who actually make Nike shoes are getting about $2 a day (which probably isn't far off the mark), do the math: That's 50 days' wages, nearly two months income, to buy the shoes they make. Yet, they're not employing anybody stateside, who are the most likely to buy expensive shoes. This is a very focused example, and obviously nobody only buys goods from their employer, but the point is very clear.
There are obviously exceptions where we must buy goods from other countries, and there is really nothing wrong with foreign competition, but our government has made it all too easy for the foreign competition to force domestic commerce into the state it's in. Yes, the corperations are reporting record profits, making our GNP soar, but in reality the state of our economy should also be gaged by gross national salery, not just profits.
Don't get me started on unions, because you'll never shut me up, but take a look at Delphi. We are about to lose one of our largest domestic automotive manufacturers. Why? Because the unions demanding too much for the employees (WAY, WAY, WWWWAAAAAYYYY too much), and the ease of foreign outsourcing has put the production workers in a no win situation. I will never work in a union shop. Period. The unions had their place at one time, but they've more than worn out their welcome. In fact, if I had may way about it, not only would the welcome mat get jerked, but I'd tear down the front porch as well. Like I said, don't get me started.
If you don't like what you see, and, as Tim K. pointed out, you're concerned about the future for your children, your task is clear: Buy American and anti-union, boycott those who are undermining our economy (regardless of what they are offering or telling you), and vote like you mean it.
Thanks. Brad.
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BlackJack Hydros
