In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

No jobs in America.. wonder why?????????

n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
Regarding job layoffs in AMERICA. Joe Smith started the day early
> having
> set
> > his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6 a.m. While his coffeepot (MADE
> IN
> > CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG
> KONG).
> > He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN
> SING
> > APORE) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA).
> >
> > After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN
> INDIA) he
> > sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could
>
> spend
> > today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN
> INDIA)
> > he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY) and continued his search for a
> good
> > paying AMERICAN JOB.
> >
> > At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided
> to
> > relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured
> himself a
> > glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN
> INDONESIA),
> and
> > then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in ....AMERICA.....

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
«1

Comments

  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Say this poor slug has a job. Then he'd be griping about how he can't afford good wine and nice shoes. Somebody take a stinking college-level Economics course please.

    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY
  • adminadmin Member, Administrator Posts: 1,079 admin
    edited November -1
    If he spent all his money on foreign-made junk then he has no cause to complaint. Go out of your way to buy American. I do.
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Me too. Cost be-damned.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    ...guess I should feel guilty owning my Belgium Brownings, SKS, Colt Sauer, and Swarovski glass and a few others...anyone out there shoot Wolf, Lapua, Eley, or forgien made ammo?....
  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My father, born blind in 1889 taught his children that there would allways be work for those knowing the meaning of the word, and matching work ethic. In good times and bad I have never been out of work. Blame the foreign products on those that are almost wholly responsible, the mob backed afl-cio they opened the door to the outsiders by raising American prices so terribley high that the average consumer had no choice but to look elsewhere as a matter of survival.
  • beachmaster73beachmaster73 Member Posts: 3,011 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Patrick....X-Ring! Beach
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It was not just that though Patrick, the American business took their work where ever labor was cheap. Look at where your American company shirts are actually made. Costa Rica, Honduras, Indonesia, China. It was largely about keeping a larger percentage of the income for the owners. There are no televisions sets made in the U.S. For years Sony, Panasonic and others dumped t.v.'s on the American market below cost. They literally drove the American television makers out of business or into Asian manufacture. I buy American whenever I can, but sadly, many things are simply not made here anymore. We have become largely a "service based economy." When a society no longer creates value or wealth, it is in trouble.
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    Isn't the Curtis Mathis TV still made in America?

    AlleninAlaska aglore@gci.net

    How would you rather die, 10,000 foot pounds of muzzle energy in the BUTT or a sharp knife in the HEART?
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It was the last, as far as I can tell Curtis Mathis is down the tubes.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Lets Face it!!!!!! Corperate America has become a money Hungry, self serving , To hell with the american people entity,

    Every thing you buy comes from a different country, Some things are just assembled here. and stamped MADE IN USA.

    Craftsman Tools,, MADE IN CHINA

    Black And Decker. HACHO EN MEXICO

    Even the fruits and veggies ya buy, are imported.

    I live in Florida and bought a bag of oranges, not until I got home with them and read the label, did I discover they were from Hondurus

    CHEAP LABOR MORE PROFIT FOR THE CEO.

    LR
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    #1 rule of going into business: Make a profit.

    Shareholders demand profits.

    My stock portfolio is worthless without profits.

    Americans will not take the jobs that these illegals are supposedly stealing. Americans feel that it is their god given right to start at the top of the Totem Pole instead of the bottom. Nobody wants to hire an arrogant little SOB that just got out of college and think he should be the CEO of the company.

    AlleninAlaska aglore@gci.net

    How would you rather die, 10,000 foot pounds of muzzle energy in the BUTT or a sharp knife in the HEART?
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This guy has the luxury of kicking back and drinking wine. My grandfather passed away as a millionaire and he came to this country with nothing, lived through the depression, farmed before there were farming subsidies and still died a very wealthy man. Boo Hoo Hoo for Mr. Birkenstocks.

    This guy's problem stems from the fact that he turns down the jobs that are "beneath" him. Ask any self-made millionaire out there that had to start from rock bottom and they will tell you that they worked any and every job they could just to maintain cash flow. No job is too menial for a success-minded individual. Work nights at McDonald's and job search during the day. That's life. There are too many idiots out there living on the lamb because they are too good to get dirt under their nails. This guy's problem isn't that he buys foreign goods. His problem is that he is a wannabe-yuppie snob sipping wine while he is unemployed when he should be out busting his tail. Yeah, peruse the want ads. Be re-active. Why not go and find that company you want to work for (who doesn't list in the want ads or, God forbid, the internet) and prove how bad you want to work for them and how you can be an asset. Sell yourself moron. I just love these people who call want ads and apply for jobs online. Most employers go to online applications LAST because the people submitting those applications don't have the gumption to put on a suit and handle themselves in an interview type setting. Rejection is easy when you don't have to leave the comfort of your own home.

    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY

    Edited by - idsman75 on 05/10/2002 12:58:18
  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here we sit in a nice chair, in air conditioned comfort, banging away on a PC, hooked the internet, with time on our hands and * about how bad the economy is.

    Clouder..
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Hey Classic: I don't know which Craftsman tools you're talking about, but their hand tools (wrenches, ratchets, sockets, etc.) are made in the USA.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Hey Lowrider..When was the last time you bought an electic Craftsman Tool like a drill or table saw? Read the label.. MADE IN CHINA..
    Also Sears has a line of hand tools not warranted stamped Made IN JAPAN.....
  • adminadmin Member, Administrator Posts: 1,079 admin
    edited November -1
    idsman and aglore both hit on something that is a definite problem in the US: some people think certain jobs are beneath them. Just because you were born here does not mean that you are guaranteed a high-paying glamor job. Smart folks work their way up from the ground floor.

    I read an article recently that talked about overseas call centers. According to the article a bunch of companies have moved their call centers to countries like India. When you call your credit card company to ask about your bill some companies transfer you overseas to an operator in a country like India and that person will answer your questions, often in a very American accent. The reason companies are doing this is not direct cost savings, but employee retention. Employees may only work these jobs a few months on average in the US, whereas they will work these jobs for years outside the US.

    Aside from a very small number of notable exceptions, I do not buy the theory of American Corporate greed. Publicly-traded corporations work for their shareholders, which are largely YOU and ME via our 401Ks, pension funds, and stock portfolios. Who among you wants your 401K to decline in value because the underlying stocks are sinking due to an inability to remain competitive?

    The USSR tried the no-profit thing and it went nowhere. Capitalism is driven through the absolute requirement of generating a profit. More profitable companies tend to dominate less profitable ones.

    Lastly, although I buy American at every opportunity and go out of my way to do so, I do not see the global economy as an evil thing. Let the Japanese and Koreans make all of the low-margin commodity junk. The US still owns the hi-tech space and our human and capital infrastructure makes the continuation of that domination extremely likely. So the Japanese and Koreans have 100% of the TV manufacturing capability. Is their standard of living better than ours, or vice-versa?
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Admin nothing personal but B*LLS*IT
    I've been working skilled trades all my life (non-union)
    I've heard management tell us we were overpaid, making 2/3 of the national average for that job, with a benefit package that McDonalds would be embarrassed to offer. At the same time the top brass are making 4.5 Million / yr and whining about only getting one new $50,000 car a year bought for them. I've seen managers divert repair / improvement money to hide their actual production costs (he's one of top corperates darlings), so what if the plant is now closing due to lack of maintance on critical equipment, he got his and the * with the workers.
    This is typical of american companys and their corperate @ss kissing attitude, if you don't think so get out of your chair and grab a shovel because the view is a lot different from down in the trenches.

    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    AMEN !!!!! Tailgunner
  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    Craftsman hand tools are made in America, power tools are a different story.


    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Quote Admin "Aside from a very small number of notable exceptions, I do not buy the theory of American Corporate greed. Publicly-traded corporations work for their shareholders, which are largely YOU and ME via our 401Ks, pension funds, and stock portfolios."

    Admin is absolutely correct, many Americans do not fully understand how Corporate business works. They only see the exec's home, vehicles, and pay bonus but fail to see the others who reap the profits..."The Stockholders". These company's are held accountable to the shareholders....of which I am one. If my stocks fail to perform for a period of time....I'll sell my shares and go elsewhere. Guess what happens when enough people do the same....the company dries up and those jobs will go else where. For most Corporate Exec's, pay is based on performance...the better your company does...the bigger your bonus. (there are exceptions; such as corporate raiders...rare and not the norm).

    Good Corporate Exec's are as rare as good NFL or College Football Coach's...the best have winning records and command a premium for their services. If you produce loosing season's...your days are numbered.

    The great thing about this country and the freedoms we enjoy...if you don't like your job, start your own business....read the book "Sharing the Wealth : My Story"-- by Alex Spanos; Hardcover
    $19.57. He made his Billion dollar empire by selling baloney sandwichs to immigrant farm workers. Most people's limitations to achieve in this country...are place on themselves by themselves.

    I'm always amazed at how first generation Imigrants know how to use their new found freedoms to prosper...while second and third generation American's whine about bad things are stacked against them....guess it depends if your glass is half full...or half empty...
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used to buy Porter-Cable because they printed right on the tool "Proudly Made In The U.S.A." Not anymore.

    Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm kicking back with a glass of Italian Merlot right now. Damn it sure was hard walking into a recruiting station and making at least $10K more than the average college graduate in this city less than 5 years later.

    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY
  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427
    edited November -1
    Sears Roebuck and Co. have a line of hand tools marked Sears.. not Craftsman made in Japan.. there is no warranty on them either.. want me to mail you one?... *L*
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    Yeah, I know their "Sears" tool line is foreign-made. I buy nothing but Craftsman hand tools. Lifetime warranty, made in USA and a hell of a lot cheaper than SnapOn, Mac, Proto etc.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
  • OtomanOtoman Member Posts: 554
    edited November -1
    The corporate C.E.O.'s are being forced to look at the Chinese and Tiwan Markets for machined parts etc. to keep their costs down and remain competitive in thier market. This is a very viscious cycle. About 10 years ago the Japanese did the same thing on bearings and cleaned the American Manufactures clock on pricing. Then The government stepped in and filed Anti-Dumping law suits to buy American bearing Manufactures time to regroup and renovate and build new bearing plants.

    Today the Japanese Bearing manufactures are about 10% less than domestic manufactures and their quality is equal to or better than what is made in our domestic market. Now it is going to be a cycle with China, Tiwan, Mexico and other companys to go through this same process.

    As far as Electric Tools and Machine tools I think they are probably made in the same factories overseas for most of the Domestic "Marketers" such as Rockwell, Craftsman, Delta, etc. If you look at a lot of these tools close you will see the resemblence.

    I work with several Manufactures in Kansas and they are being forced to get cost out of their products, and the path of least resistance is for them to look at offshore products due to substantial cost savings. So I will end up being part of the downward spiral, Just to survive myself although I do not like it one bit.

    I don't have an answer for this problem, and I an not as concerned that most of the tennis shoes, shirts, and items like that are imported but when they start destroying our Industrial base that could bring America to its Knees in the long run!
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    When it comes to hand tools, there is only one brand by which all others are compared...Snap-On. Yes they are made in the USA, and are more expensive, but they are made for everyday professional use...sure you can get the same job done with Craftsman or cheaper lines...but there is a marked difference in quality. In my experience Snap-On is the Wilson Combat of tools and Craftsman compares to Jennings. Craftsman is made for Sears on contract by the lowest bidder...there may be six different suppliers of these tools to Sears, just depends who got the lowest bid and contract.

    As a youngster, I took my high school graduation money and bought a small set of Sears tools...as I began to use them professionally, I was constantly going to the store to exercise my lifetime warranty. Was introduced to Snap-On by a long time mechanic and never turned back. If you have never owned Snap-On...you won't be able to relate to any of this. Forget the dollar signs and warranties...just look at the features & quality. Over the years probably have accumulated over 50G's in Snap-On Tools...life is too short to own anything but the best.
  • agloreaglore Member Posts: 6,012
    edited November -1
    How many here preaching buy American own Browning or Winchester firearms? If you do, you should practice what you preach and buy Ruger and Remington only. Last I knew Giatt was a European company.

    AlleninAlaska aglore@gci.net

    How would you rather die, 10,000 foot pounds of muzzle energy in the BUTT or a sharp knife in the HEART?
  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Like they said on "Tommy Boy"....anyone can s*** in a box and slap a warantee on it. As long as they sell enough s**** with a high enough mark-up they'll cover the cost of that warantee.

    SSG idsman75, U.S. ARMY
  • MrNathanLeeMrNathanLee Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    First off let me say I know it cant be that hard to get a job if you are just willing to take almost anything (I decided I didnt want to work fast food for my first job so i didnt even apply there) i just got my first job at sears as a "reciever" (thats the person (dang pc world) that loads/unloads the trucks when they get there and helps customers load there new items onto there vehicle for those of you that dont know) although it is only part time and pays minimum ($6.75 an hour here) it is a job and mind you my first job so as most of you have been saying yes i believe those people that are complaining that there are no jobs out there just think themself too good to get there hands dirty. Now about craftsman..I have both used snap-on and craftsman and no name cheap crap tools in auto shop in school and I have split a couple snap-on sockets many of the cheap ones but no craftsman so imho i will go with craftsman over snap on (plus i now get a 20% discount on everything at sears :P )

    well thats my $ free.99
  • Bushy ARBushy AR Member Posts: 564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My tools,because I am an aircraft mechanic and quality is a must,are:Craftsman,Snap-On,and Mac.In light of the recent decision of Stanley(the parent company of Mac)to base their corporate headquarters in Bermuda,I have probably bought my last Stanley/Mac tool.Why should they get out of paying taxes if I have to? I buy American whenever possible including my Ruger,Bushmaster,and Savage guns.I think Perot had it right when he said after N.A.F.T.A. there would be a giant sucking sound of jobs leaving this country.The theory that other countries will buy more of our goods just dosen't work if they are too poor to buy them.I will always pay more to support American companies.That is my choice.
  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am with Admin. I do not believe there is corporate greed. When Chrysler was loosing money Lee Iococa only got an $11,000,000 bonus. I ask you is that greed?

    While I am no big fan of Japan, Corporate CEO's there typically make no more than 10-15 times what the average worker is paid.

    Think Michael Eisner would work for say $500,000?
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you HeDog.
    I also wonder how long Admin and Rembrant could live on a 25k wage, and just how much they would add to their 401k and stock portfolio.
    MrNathanLee your 6.75 is 14,040 a year, the poverty level in this country is 16,500 last I heard, how much is your house payment, utilities, grocerys, car payment etc.? Does your wife and children ever need a doctor or dentest?
    Yes I started out at low wages, worked my way thru college delivering pizzas and pumping gas, but that was 30 years ago. Or are you suggestion that I work 80 hours a week just to survive?


    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
  • instrumentofwarinstrumentofwar Member Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Calling Craftsman cheap borders on blasphemy

    Anyone know where DeWalt is made????

    Some people just shouldn't be allowed to breed
  • KX500KX500 Member Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My last Pontiac - Made in Korea
    My last Mercury - Made in Canada
    My last Mazda - Made in Japan, with USA made engine, since Ford owns 1/3 of Mazda
    My Dads' Honda Accord - Made In USA?

    Who bought American made? What is American made?
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    While wealth has different meanings to different people, keep in mind that real wealth is rarely drived from a paycheck...it is obtained through savings over a period of time. Most people do not have the discipline to set aside for their financial future. The percentage of earned money that is put into savings is highest in Europe, Americans lag far behind. Perhaps because of poor training or lack of financial discipline; Americans have a higher amount of credit card debt than any country in the world....everyone should know what those credit card interest rates are, right? In most countries where people save more, they generally buy with cash or do without.

    Let's talk about living on $25,000 a year income....if you are in that range, you pay little to no taxes and qualify for numerous social benefits that the higher wage earner can't have. That's were I come in by choosing to work 50-70 hours each week...because my income rises, I now pay more taxes which in turn pays for the lack of taxes and additional benefits those making less get from me. Last week I put in 85 hours, Mrs Rembrandt put in 65 hours....we work more because we want more....but we also pay an ungodly amount of taxes which goes to those who "choose" to work less.

    I don't mean to offend anyone or cast dispersions on those that are handicapped or unable to do what we do. We have a freedom in this country to work or create a business of our choosing...there are opportunities beyond our wildest dreams...the only thing holding most back is the limitations they have placed upon themselves. Once again, read Alex Spanos book "Sharing the wealth..my story"....if you haven't seen the light by then...chances are you never will.
  • varmit huntervarmit hunter Member Posts: 1,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My John Deere tractor was made in Japan.Now that is as bad as it gets.To us country boy's John Deere was a sacred name.

    A unarmed man is a subject.A armed man is a citizen.
  • Bushy ARBushy AR Member Posts: 564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rembrandt...please don't patronize me by telling me about "social programs"and how low wage earners pay "little or no taxes"!I earned $35,000 last year and payed $4,500 Federal and State taxes combined. I am not eligible for those "social programs" because I am a white male.I do not make enough to afford a tax shelter and am fortunate to put a little in a 401K to add to a pension when I retire.So when you talk about us "little people" please keep in mind that all of us are not "social program material". Oh,by the way,I am a helicopter mechanic working on a Federal contract and if it wasn't for the Union I belong to,I wouldn't be making that much!Before you go and tell me that I am a socialist for being a union member,you should know that the contract I work on has been held by 5 different companies in the last 25 years.Being a union member means that someone will represent me to the next company that comes along.And that could change at ANY time the U.S.Army decides that they will award it to someone else!
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bushy,
    Please re-read my post. I'm refering to those $25,000 and under....I was not refering to those in your income range. Most people are two income "families"....if both income earners are making a total of 25G, then they probably fall into the catagory of social beneficiaries.

    My main point, and I probably have failed to communicate this well...is that there is a lot of envy out there about what the other guy has, and some of it should have been mine attitude...that is socialism in a nut shell.

    P.S. If all you paid was about 13% of your income in taxes, feel lucky....we pay nearly three times that.





    Edited by - Rembrandt on 05/11/2002 16:45:29
  • Bushy ARBushy AR Member Posts: 564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rembrandt...I just get P.O.ed when someone says that low income people don't pay their share.I wish all of us tax-payers could pay less.Maybe a flat rate tax would be better..I don't know.I just keep punching the clock and doing my part.I started this thread to alert all of us to another old American company trying to get out of doing their part.Makes me mad as hell that they can be allowed to do that.
  • Bushy ARBushy AR Member Posts: 564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Let me correct that...I mean another thread...sorry,brain fart..
Sign In or Register to comment.