GOP: The New Nazi Party!
There needs to be a push to support America by bringing jobs back and buying American made goods. We need to get back to American exceptionalism where we’re leaders in technology and innovation.
Obama needs to spread the message just like Reagan restored pride in America and called on Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
Increasing import tariffs wouldn’t be a bad idea, either, to put us on an even footing with China.
Maybe we should focus on making quality products of great value and let the demand take care of itself.
We need to be producers, not just consumers. We consume enough. But we expect others to produce it for some reason.
Mr. Hoffman,
I do not totally disagree with you on doing something about China. I just do not know that tariffs will work. With all of our currency in their hands, they can retaliate effectively.
I personally will pay more, up to a point to buy American. China seems lately to be flooding our markets with dirt cheap AA and AAA batteries. I’ve at least not bought them. But certain electronics, you can’t find anything American. Hand tools are getting harder. Thank God I did not use any of that Chinese drywall they had so much trouble with.
[But certain electronics, you can’t find anything American]
Yep, they’re all made in China.
[Hand tools are getting harder.]
I usually just buy Craftsman, which I believe are all made here. Power tools, I don’t think any are made here any more.
Now this is one I agree with you on Ben, and I don’t think increasing tariffs on imported goods is a bad idea either. I’m sure our exports are taxed beyond belief.
I buy Craftsman as well. And jeez, you’re right about the electronics, which chaps my a$$. (not about you being right … just about where everything is made.)
[Now this is one I agree with you on Ben, and I don’t think increasing tariffs on imported goods is a bad idea either.]
Okay, I’ll be expecting you to post a blog entry pushing for a “buy American” policy. 🙂
My goodness. I think I agree with Ben. I try to buy American, though it’s hard.
Serious question: why cannot our labor market compete? On autos for instance.
[Serious question: why cannot our labor market compete? On autos for instance.]
Who says they can’t compete? The question is, why can’t our auto companies compete? Why can’t we build cars as good as Honda?
It’s because U.S. companies are only interested in satisfying the shareholders, which means short term profits are the goal rather than quality.
I think some it has to do with the way the labor unions in the auto industry hadn’t budged up until the failure of the industry. The compensation package is close to $80 an hour for the U.S. auto workers. Japanese workers is around $45. That in it self could be affecting the competition. But admittedly I haven’t kept up with that stuff too much.
[The compensation package is close to $80 an hour for the U.S. auto workers.]
That’s a lie. It’s closer to $40 an hour, which breaks down to $28 an hour for base wages and the rest in benefits.
And some foreign auto makers pay more than domestic companies:
In at least one case last year, workers for a foreign automaker for the first time averaged more in base pay and bonuses than UAW members working for domestic automakers, according to an economist for the Center for Automotive Research and figures supplied to the Free Press by auto companies.
That’s not a lie Ben, and really I get pretty tired of your lame bullshit of calling everyone a liar that does not agree with you. That’s why I don’t come here often.
Here are the facts of the matter sir.
“The Associated Press reported that, for example, the average United Auto Workers member makes $29.78 per hour at GM, while Toyota pays its workers (most of whom are non-union) about $30 per hour. However, when total benefits (including pensions and health care for workers, retirees and their spouses) is factored in, GM’s total hourly labor costs is about $69, while Toyota’s is about $48.”
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/12/19/business/main4677571.shtml
It would behoove you to distinguish between a lie and perhaps someone making an error, which I did neither.
It was the TOTAL compensation package I was talking about.
Have a nice weekend.
[That’s not a lie Ben, and really I get pretty tired of your lame bullshit of calling everyone a liar that does not agree with you.]
You lied when you said it’s close to $80 an hour. It’s close to $69 an hour factoring in retirement benefits. The retirement packages for newer employees aren’t as generous, if they get them at all.
Repeating right-wing lies makes you a liar.
You’re absolutely right! We do need to see a push to support America by bringing jobs back and buying American-made goods. But I do not think this can happen through government action of any kind. This needs to happen on its own from the American people.
The political bickering is so bad right now that any good-intentioned effort to increase buying American through government action would turn into political mudslinging and ruin the effort.
The truth is, individuals choosing to buy American is not a partisan issue. When individual Americans choose to buy goods made in the USA it helps our economy and creates jobs. Buying American also happens to be the one thing that every one of us can do every day to help our country.
Check out my blog, http://www.BuyAmericanChallenge.com, where I talk all about how to buy American, the importance of doing it, and the importance of challenging others to do the same.
We all need to stop talking about doing things to create jobs. We need to stop asking government to create them for us. What we need to do is start creating the jobs ourselves by buying American.
[But I do not think this can happen through government action of any kind.]
I don’t agree. The government can stigmatize the outsourcing of jobs and the import of goods that can be made here. Look at the power of rhetoric during Reagan’s presidency.
But thanks for posting and for promoting “buy American.” I’m going to add your blog to my blogroll. 🙂
Maybe, you’re right. Maybe I have become too jaded about what government can and cannot accomplish. I certainly would like to see our elected leaders talking about buying American (from the standpoint of individual Americans buying goods made in USA), but few are out there actually doing it.
Either way, Americans changing their purchasing behavior has to be a major part of the change. Government’s hands are at least somewhat tied by the powerful current of capital leaving this country because of our reliance on imported goods.
I would actually really like to know who in Congress is out there talking about this issue. Have you seen anyone making it an issue outside of buy American provisions of legislation?
Thanks for putting me on your blogroll. Now you’re on mine.
Obama in France, April 4 2009:
“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.”
Translation:
We all believe we’re special…so really, none of us are.
Or, we are all the same in our ‘uniqueness’.
I’m fairly sure Obama believes in US hubris as a stone cold fact, rather than truly feeling awed by the might (used for good and bad) of our young nation.
It’s probably not relevant here, but I haven’t forgotten the woman on his arm was ‘proud to be an American’ only *after* he was elected. While perhaps not true in actuality, she must’ve FELT that way long enough for that statement to make it into her speech.
Lee
Why is Corporate America afraid ? Whatever could it be ? Could it be that savy business guy in the White House ? All of the billions in Stimulus, all the billions in corporations, yet no one will hire anybody, why? I think this calls for more taxes and another round o Porkulus . Why isn’t Socialism working ?
So why are companies not hiring. Here is an interesting article from that right wing rag, the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/14/AR2010071405960.html?hpid=topnews
Did you even read that article?
When asked why companies are holding back so much, many economists cite broader uncertainty that goes well beyond anything happening in Washington. Firms aren’t sure whether the economy can sustain a strong recovery. And as long as consumer spending remains low, there’s not much incentive for companies to ramp up.
“There’s not a whole lot that you could do to entice companies to hire,” he added. “You could cut taxes on them, but they’re not going to hire just because they have the extra cash, because they already have the extra cash.”
One way to increase hiring is to INCREASE taxes on windfall profits so companies have a choice of paying more in taxes or hiring more people.
[Why isn’t Socialism working ?]
That’s because we don’t have socialism. More socialized countries like Canada are creating far more jobs than we are.
Mr. Hoffman,
” One way to increase hiring is to INCREASE taxes on windfall profits so companies have a choice of paying more in taxes or hiring more people. ”
You continue to spout non–sense. It is the threat of higher taxes, it is the threat of new regulations that is freezing up American business.
The moron YOU put in the White House would be sitting pretty now. Most of the damage to the economy happened at the end of the Bush Administration. A natural rebound was set to take place as Barak strode into office. All the man had to do was not screw it up. Once the banking crisis eased in February-March, things woulds have fixed themselves.
But no, the stupid clown had to constantly attack American Business to satisfy his Socialist political base. Well American workers have paid for your hero’s bravado.
” That’s because we don’t have socialism. More socialized countries like Canada are creating far more jobs than we are. ”
And you do not see the problem ????? That is “because” we have out socialized even Canada !!!!Look at the individual States. The most Socialist ones like California have the highest unemployment. Why doesn’t anything get through your skull ?
[Most of the damage to the economy happened at the end of the Bush Administration.]
The current recession was a long time in the making. Once again your arguments are purely emotional.
DRUDGE RETORT 