Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Making Things in America


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Dungeon of Political and Religious Discussion >> Making Things in America Page: [1]
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Making Things in America - 5/20/2011 8:17:59 PM   
Brain


Posts: 3792
Joined: 2/14/2007
Status: offline
Republicans are irresponsible, incompetent have no business running the country or managing the economy. In a nutshell, Republicans are not qualified to lead politically. They ruined the economy because they were brainwashed by ideology and have done their darndest to prevent the present recovery because of ideology and politicking.

Making Things in America
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: May 19, 2011

Manufacturing is one of the bright spots of a generally disappointing recovery, and there are signs that a sustained comeback may be under way. And there’s something else you should know: If right-wing critics of efforts to rescue the economy had gotten their way, this comeback wouldn’t be happening. Crucially, the manufacturing trade deficit seems to be coming down. At this point, it’s only about half as large as a share of G.D.P. as it was at the peak of the housing bubble, and further improvements are in the pipeline. The Boston Consulting Group, which is now predicting a U.S. “manufacturing renaissance,” points to major U.S. firms like Caterpillar that once shifted production abroad but are now moving it back. At the same time, companies from other countries, especially European firms, are moving production to America.

America’s industrial heartland is now leading the economic recovery.


Which brings me to those right-wing critics. First, what’s driving the turnaround in our manufacturing trade? The main answer is that the U.S. dollar has fallen against other currencies, helping give U.S.-based manufacturing a cost advantage. A weaker dollar, it turns out, was just what U.S. industry needed. Yet the Federal Reserve finds itself under intense pressure from the right to make the dollar stronger, not weaker. A few months ago, Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, berated Ben Bernanke for failing to tighten monetary policy, declaring: “There is nothing more insidious that a country can do to its citizens than debase its currency.” If Mr. Bernanke had given in to that kind of pressure, manufacturing would have continued its relentless decline.

So while we still have a deeply troubled economy, one piece of good news is that Americans are, once again, starting to actually make things. And we’re doing that thanks, in large part, to the fact that the Fed and the Obama administration ignored very bad advice from right-wingers — ideologues who still, in the face of all the evidence, claim to know something about creating prosperity.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/20/opinion/20krugman.html?_r=1

Paul Krugman




Attachment (1)
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Making Things in America - 5/20/2011 11:35:52 PM   
Fellow


Posts: 1486
Joined: 9/21/2009
Status: offline
quote:

So while we still have a deeply troubled economy, one piece of good news is that Americans are, once again, starting to actually make things. And we’re doing that thanks, in large part, to the fact that the Fed and the Obama administration ignored very bad advice from right-wingers — ideologues who still, in the face of all the evidence, claim to know something about creating prosperity.


I wish P. Krugman would do some work and operate with real numbers. He has turned into an ideologue. There is no sign Obama administration offers real support for manufacturing. In fact, they push "free trade" agreement with Korea (estimated job loss 149,000), GM used bailout money to move some production abroad, increased health care cost etc. I heard nothing about increasing tariffs on foreign goods. Krugman mention of GM profits ignores the fact the profits come mostly from China (and contribute very little to the US, they also do not pay corporate tax).
It is early to speak about major "renaissance".  Eventually it will happen. Obama/Fed part in this will be destroying the dollar, so that imports will be mostly impossible.

(in reply to Brain)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 12:06:59 AM   
rulemylife


Posts: 14614
Joined: 8/23/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Fellow

I wish P. Krugman would do some work and operate with real numbers. He has turned into an ideologue. There is no sign Obama administration offers real support for manufacturing. In fact, they push "free trade" agreement with Korea (estimated job loss 149,000), GM used bailout money to move some production abroad, increased health care cost etc. I heard nothing about increasing tariffs on foreign goods. Krugman mention of GM profits ignores the fact the profits come mostly from China (and contribute very little to the US, they also do not pay corporate tax).
It is early to speak about major "renaissance".  Eventually it will happen. Obama/Fed part in this will be destroying the dollar, so that imports will be mostly impossible.



Is it also too early for you to substantiate anything you have just said?

(in reply to Fellow)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 5:46:44 AM   
DarkSteven


Posts: 28072
Joined: 5/2/2008
Status: offline
Hard to understand the context.  A strong dollar is a cause of a weaker economy, but also the symptom of a stronger one.  So saying it's good or bad really needs context.

That said, I have read (I don't know how true it is) that some companies have begun moving operations from Mexico because of employee safety concerns in the wake of the drug was over there.  Other low wage countries have political instability, and Japan ain't gonna gt to full production capacity any time soon.  And you can guarantee that if you have manufacturing facilities in China, you will have to turn a blind eye to child labor, pirating of intellectual property, etc.

In other words, I'm wondering if non-financial issues played a decision in going American.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fellow
There is no sign Obama administration offers real support for manufacturing.



While I agree with that statement, it's not just the Obama administration.  The Clinton and Bush administrations (both of them)  showed no love for manufacturing either.  Reagan supported manufacturing only through the military buildup under his tenure. And Nixon paved the way to commerce with China.


_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

(in reply to rulemylife)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 3:06:33 PM   
Fellow


Posts: 1486
Joined: 9/21/2009
Status: offline
quote:

While I agree with that statement, it's not just the Obama administration. The Clinton and Bush administrations (both of them) showed no love for manufacturing either. Reagan supported manufacturing only through the military buildup under his tenure. And Nixon paved the way to commerce with China.


It is true, but I responded to Krugman's suggestion Obama administration has done something substantial. In fact, Obamas's previous adviser L. Summers specifically said that manufacturing is not a perspective area of interest. Krugman, of course, thinks in Keynesian terms. Does he think a little "dead cat" bounce in manufacturing justifies Obama administration massive borrowing, money inflation and bailouts?
US exports to China are increasing, but  major articles exported are scrap metal and recycled materials. At the same time general trade deficit picture is worsening. See for example:
[ http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/11/0517/atp.html ] "The first quarter trade deficit in goods and services is 23.5 percent worse than during the first quarter of 2010 and is 20.4 percent worse than during the last quarter of 2010."

(in reply to DarkSteven)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 8:18:25 PM   
SternSkipper


Posts: 7546
Joined: 3/7/2004
Status: offline
quote:

quote:

While I agree with that statement, it's not just the Obama administration. The Clinton and Bush administrations (both of them) showed no love for manufacturing either. Reagan supported manufacturing only through the military buildup under his tenure. And Nixon paved the way to commerce with China.



It is true, but I responded to Krugman's suggestion Obama administration has done something substantial. In fact, Obamas's previous adviser L. Summers specifically said that manufacturing is not a perspective area of interest. Krugman, of course, thinks in Keynesian terms. Does he think a little "dead cat" bounce in manufacturing justifies Obama administration massive borrowing, money inflation and bailouts?
US exports to China are increasing, but major articles exported are scrap metal and recycled materials. At the same time general trade deficit picture is worsening. See for example:
[ http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/11/0517/atp.html ] "The first quarter trade deficit in goods and services is 23.5 percent worse than during the first quarter of 2010 and is 20.4 percent worse than during the last quarter of 2010."
quote:

ORIGINAL: Fellow

quote:

While I agree with that statement, it's not just the Obama administration. The Clinton and Bush administrations (both of them) showed no love for manufacturing either. Reagan supported manufacturing only through the military buildup under his tenure. And Nixon paved the way to commerce with China.


It is true, but I responded to Krugman's suggestion Obama administration has done something substantial. In fact, Obamas's previous adviser L. Summers specifically said that manufacturing is not a perspective area of interest. Krugman, of course, thinks in Keynesian terms. Does he think a little "dead cat" bounce in manufacturing justifies Obama administration massive borrowing, money inflation and bailouts?
US exports to China are increasing, but  major articles exported are scrap metal and recycled materials. At the same time general trade deficit picture is worsening. See for example:
[ http://www.manufacturingnews.com/news/11/0517/atp.html ] "The first quarter trade deficit in goods and services is 23.5 percent worse than during the first quarter of 2010 and is 20.4 percent worse than during the last quarter of 2010."


Wow that's so weird... the US Department of Commerce apparently has nowhere near as much information as you have. The don't even mention dead cats...

"The US department of commerce, the United States - top three trading partners are Canada, Mexico and China. Of these countries the top US exports are machinery, and electrical machinery. Other major exports are vehicles, aircraft and medical instruments. However the US does export high value agricultural goods around the world"

Thanks for your help in 'understanding things'


(in reply to Fellow)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 8:21:25 PM   
Musicmystery


Posts: 30259
Joined: 3/14/2005
Status: offline
quote:

Wow that's so weird... the US Department of Commerce apparently has nowhere near as much information as you have.


(in reply to SternSkipper)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 10:01:59 PM   
Fellow


Posts: 1486
Joined: 9/21/2009
Status: offline
quote:

Wow that's so weird... the US Department of Commerce apparently has nowhere near as much information as you have. The don't even mention dead cats...

"The US department of commerce, the United States - top three trading partners are Canada, Mexico and China. Of these countries the top US exports are machinery, and electrical machinery. Other major exports are vehicles, aircraft and medical instruments. However the US does export high value agricultural goods around the world"

What is the problem?  I am not waging any war here or spreading intentionally lies. Did I say the US does not produce machinery? The link above I relied on uses the government official data. Here are the additional news [ America's Biggest Trade Export To China? Trash. : http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jodie-allen/2010/03/03/americas-biggest-trade-export-to-china-trash ]. It is the trade deficit what matters in macroeconomic sense. Do you suggest the imports accompanied by the increase in debt increasing faster than the exports  (what is the case) is good economic policy?

(in reply to SternSkipper)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 10:13:10 PM   
Real0ne


Posts: 21189
Joined: 10/25/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

Wow that's so weird... the US Department of Commerce apparently has nowhere near as much information as you have.




yeh SNAFU


_____________________________

"We the Borg" of the us imperialists....resistance is futile

Democracy; The 'People' voted on 'which' amendment?

Yesterdays tinfoil is today's reality!

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session

(in reply to Musicmystery)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Making Things in America - 5/21/2011 10:43:53 PM   
popeye1250


Posts: 18104
Joined: 1/27/2006
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: rulemylife

quote:

ORIGINAL: Fellow

I wish P. Krugman would do some work and operate with real numbers. He has turned into an ideologue. There is no sign Obama administration offers real support for manufacturing. In fact, they push "free trade" agreement with Korea (estimated job loss 149,000), GM used bailout money to move some production abroad, increased health care cost etc. I heard nothing about increasing tariffs on foreign goods. Krugman mention of GM profits ignores the fact the profits come mostly from China (and contribute very little to the US, they also do not pay corporate tax).
It is early to speak about major "renaissance".  Eventually it will happen. Obama/Fed part in this will be destroying the dollar, so that imports will be mostly impossible.



Is it also too early for you to substantiate anything you have just said?



I've seen that job loss figure too if we get involved in a "free-trade" agreement with S. Korea but I read so much financial information everyday I can't remember where I saw it.
If that's a govt figure you know they put lipstick on it.

_____________________________

"But Your Honor, this is not a Jury of my Peers, these people are all decent, honest, law-abiding citizens!"

(in reply to rulemylife)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Making Things in America - 5/22/2011 12:11:00 PM   
FirmhandKY


Posts: 8948
Joined: 9/21/2004
Status: offline
 
quote:

ORIGINAL: Brain

Republicans are irresponsible, incompetent have no business running the country or managing the economy. In a nutshell, Republicans are not qualified to lead politically. They ruined the economy because they were brainwashed by ideology and have done their darndest to prevent the present recovery because of ideology and politicking.


Here, let me fix your quote to represent the other ideological biased point of view:

Democrats are irresponsible, incompetent have no business running the country or managing the economy. In a nutshell, Democrats are not qualified to lead politically. They ruined the economy because they were brainwashed by ideology and have done their darndest to prevent the present recovery because of ideology and politicking.

There.

Firm


_____________________________

Some people are just idiots.

(in reply to Brain)
Profile   Post #: 11
Page:   [1]
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Dungeon of Political and Religious Discussion >> Making Things in America Page: [1]
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.078