Re: Forbes: "Budget To Nowhere"

On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 04:34:55 -0600, "John Galt"

<snip>



Yes, if you back out consumer goods from "other" goods, manufacturing has
been dead in the US for almost two decades. A huge portion of the US
manufacturing that remains is either military or business-to-business stuff
like huge construction equipment (Caterpillar, Terex) or airplanes (Boeing).

The worst enemy of US manufacturing is the american consumer, who has always
been willing to buy non US made goods to save a dime. This "battle" has
nothing to do with Bush -- it was decided back in the late 80's when we
ceded consumer electronics to the Japanese. It is a battle long since lost.



Of course people are always going to try to get the best bang
for the buck. That's what people do, that's what I do, that's what
everybody does. No mystery there. How is it then possible for
a rich country to avoid destroying the base of its prosperity by
buying foreign goods made at lower cost in preference to goods
made at home, which cost more exactly because the home
country is rich? Tariffs, of course.

Before 1980 or so, we had protective tariffs. Now the tariffs
are mostly gone. Now the industry is mostly gone, because of
course people want to buy cheaper goods made overseas.

Is this hard to understand, or something?



<snip>


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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Forbes: "Budget To Nowhere"
    ... The worst enemy of US manufacturing is the american consumer, ... been willing to buy non US made goods to save a dime. ... I know they complain about the high cost of rice, ... Tariffs, of course. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Forbes: "Budget To Nowhere"
    ... The worst enemy of US manufacturing is the american consumer, ... been willing to buy non US made goods to save a dime. ... buying foreign goods made at lower cost in preference to goods ... Before 1980 or so, we had protective tariffs. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Forbes: "Budget To Nowhere"
    ... The worst enemy of US manufacturing is the american consumer, ... They have a documented tendency to pay more for Japanese goods. ... I know they complain about the high cost of rice, ... Before 1980 or so, we had protective tariffs. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Joe the Plumber Throws McCain Under the Bus.
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