Termyn8or
Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
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Just what is NAFTA ? North American Free Trade Agreement. Although surely a nail in our coffin it has nothing to do with China or India. However no doubt there were similar less publicized agreements which brought down tarriffs and other "barriers" to the unfair trade practices now accepted as commonplace. And the word in paranthesis is used in the same context as one would refer to a prophylactic. Our system worked because of a balance, there was an available pool of labor, and a certain number of jobs. Overpopulation changed this balance over the years, but such "agreements" have shifted the balance with alot more effect.
At one point people took to unionization, because the balance was not quite in their favor, they would be exploited. It actually worked, but as we know has become a nightmare.
Also on the treaty side, why is China exempt from all these "agreements" to reduce pollution etc. ? And if I am not mistaken you could buy foreign made goods before the advent of all these agreements. Since not long after WW2, Tokyo Tse Chung Kogyo changed their name to Sony and you could buy Sony TVs in the US. So what was the problem ? Their products were not necessarily cheap, many were innovative. Back then Sony did not appeal to the lowest common denominator (price).
Now get this. I don't remember the exact year, but I was closely involved with the business so I know this even though they did not make a big thing about it, Sony moved their picture tube plants to the US to manufacture CRTs over 21" diagonal measurement, the reason was no doubt shipping cost. These things are heavy. They had alot of problems with that BTW, but seem to have solved them.
Somewhere in the timeline the CD was invented. It was not invented here, but the first company to produce CDs in the US was Telarc. For the first few years they simply could not produce an error free CD. Advisors came from overseas to show them how to do it. Eventually they got it right. Also note that the US built CRTs from Sony were full of error and difficult to align. I can't really say whether this is because of the advent of the flat square tube, or poorer discipline on the part of the employees.
In other words I don't buy into this flag waving bull about the American (US) worker being the best in the world. Companies have had to open remedial reading classes for safety reasons, reeducate workers and do all kinds of things, even before even thinking about dealing with the monster that unions had grown into. Then they have to fight government regulations tooth and nail to turn a profit.
Now here's the biggie, they have to answer to the shareholders. Now if my company's analysis shows that we can make bigger profits by moving a plant overseas, and I don't do so not only would I be voted out of the big chair next time around, I might find myself facing an investigation for some sort of impropriety. What has changed ?
I don't mean to hijack, but this topic does fit into the whole political/economic realm. Who got rich and how, and for how long ? In other words, it is not only social security that is a big Ponzi scheme, the whole stock market was dependent upon sustained growth, and any farmer can tell you that growth cannot be sustained indefinitely.
So much for the cerebral rant at this time, right now I would simply add a few more items to the spirit of the OP.
BB, could you make it the parts are available for my six month old $3,500 TV set which is still UNDER WARRANTY !? Yes the Ohio atty gen is working on that one. But what they can do against a Chinese company is a bit unclear.
BB, could you make it so we can afford parts for our cars ? Or can you at least make it so we can drive our cars without the check engine light going on because there is a fault in the second gear downshift dump loop, which means almost nothing, but they won't let you have plates with the light on, and they DO check to see if it has been disconnected.
BB, could you make houses the old fashioned way ? I am sick of renailing the vinyl siding to styrofoam every year.
BB, could you possibly curtail your advertising budget ? TV stations used to limit themselves to six minutes of ads in a half hour show. That's twelve minutes per hour which is twenty percent. I don't have to go to the bathroom that often, but of course you are selling me a pill that makes it so I don't have to go as often. Once I buy your pills then I can watch your commercials.
Really, the ads are getting annoying. To me there are only a few things that are logical to buy new. PCs and PC componnts for example, but they are wrecking that with Vista. Dammit microsoft, don't treat me like a twelve year old unless I ask you to.
The whole situation is to the point where I simply don't watch TV, I don't even have a radio. I don't want it. I don't download all my media because I want to steal, I do it because I don't want to be exposed to your "program".
And when I look for vendors for parts or other materials for my business, I don't want to be a partner. I want to buy what I need, make money and move on. I don't need a new data analyser every two weeks, especially when it takes six months to learn how to use the thing.
And above all, if you think that I think that cash back deal on a new car is pennies from heaven, you have alot to learn. I know damn well it is a personal loan, simply written into the contract, same as a rebate. Quit trying to fool us.
Actually pops, I like this thread, it's a good vent for people. However it does nothing to solve the problem. We are part of the problem. From the time we bought that Sankyo TV to save $40 instead of the Zenith they have responded. Profiteering and price fixing has made this quite profitable and I think it is actionable under Sherman. However it is still a matter of who is in whom's pockets. That $3,500 TV should've cost less than half that, but that is called profit.
And if the mess were not compounded enough, those profits are sometimes what supports retirement funds. So to dismantle the system and start from scratch is not really a viable option. It's like that stupid TV show called Dinosaurs, where there is basically one company in the world, the "We Say So" corporation. So many things are interdependant it is ridiculous. In fact current happenings indicate that such interdependence is a threat to the security and well being of the People, and that my friends has very little to do with trade agreements.
I will stop now, this is long enough. I said I was going to try to make shorter posts, but I can't help but saying one more thing :
BB, can you make it so I can buy a decent can opener in the grocery store for a few dollars again ? They are all junk. Do I have to order one from Sweden or some shit ? I am serious and I started a thread about it a long time ago. Things we take for granted, like that a tool won't break. Sears used to Xray all their tools and were here in the city if one actually did break, I don't want a lifetime warranty, I want it not to break. If I am underneath a car with the tranny laying on my chest, I don't need a warranty, I need the tool to work, NOW. Xray the damn thing, I'll pay for it. Oh wait, you have to tell some people everything so : when you Xray it and it reveals faults, DON'T SELL IT TO ME.
Stupid mutha..........
Enough
T
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