Why can"t we make anything in this country ???? I went to Lowes Home Improvement today..I needed a new bricklayers hammer and string blocks for a winter project I"ve got coming up..The only brick hammers were Kobalt 20 oz. I would prefer a hammer with wooden handle so a person could tap lightly with the end of the handle , and bigger than squat " Made in China" lazered onto the head of the hammer...O.K. Now the string blocks...In a fast glance I saw Wilkesboro N.C. on the label..Hot Dog , I thought...Something made here in the states....Upon closer inspection, I failed to see Made "Made in China" on the label...It"s no wonder we"re in the shape we"re in economically..Does anyone actually know of American Made products in the stores?? How about tractors ?? Any made here ?? Deere used to make some construction equipment here..I don"t know , can"t swear by it now...Has anyone else noticed this or have I just awakened from a 30 year nap????
HENRY E NC
Member
Notice I live in North Carolina, more especially far west NC. and there is a lot of Indian history in this area and in Cherokee, an hour or so from here is the Indian reservation and many shops that sell Indian Memorabilia. If you turn it over it mostly says"made in china" or Taiwan or some other place. How good is that? We as americans have given most of our manufacturing and steel business due to greed of workers and /or companies. The rubber companies moved out because the unions kept wanting more and more. Steel mills same thing. Tractor companies same deal. It will come full circle someday when they control our country and we will be the worker. People shoud be concered that the Chinese an enourmous amount of our bonds. They own more than US citizens do ETC. Wake up and smell the outhouse.
Ed in Northern VA
Member
As soon as Americans are willing to work for the same wages as the Chinese or are willing to pay the prices necessary to cover the wages and benefits of American workers, manufacturing will return to the US.
The Dukester
Well-known Member
Is it the wages workers demand or the profits investors demand or over regulation and excessive taxation of industry....or a combination of all of the above? Where would things be made if cheap foreign labor hadn't been utilized by American opportunistic investors....And how long before the cheap foreign labor starts demanding more wages as has already happened in Japan and some other developed countries?
Take away the productive American worker's wages and you'll eventually take away their buying ability...then they can't even buy the lower priced often poor quality goods the foreign worker produces or the overpriced homes thrown up for them by the real estate robbers in the development businesses. Eliminate the middle class and this country will become a memory in a few short years.
Take away the productive American worker's wages and you'll eventually take away their buying ability...then they can't even buy the lower priced often poor quality goods the foreign worker produces or the overpriced homes thrown up for them by the real estate robbers in the development businesses. Eliminate the middle class and this country will become a memory in a few short years.
Tradititonal Farmer
Member
When you have Union auto 'workers' that are making in total conpensation $81/hr go on strike
it sort of sums up why things are made overseas
it sort of sums up why things are made overseas
Its amazing how cheaply you can produce something when you care very little for worker safety, pay next to nothing, and have a government which never has to answer to its people. There are american made tools and other things, you just have to hunt for them a bit. Most Craftsman HAND tools are still US made. Channel Lock pliers, snap on..they are out there. As far as tractors..a lot of the big models are still US made for Case IH, JD, etc. The smaller utility models usually have Japanese engines, though they are sometimes assembled here too. Much better Japanese than Chinese...Chinese tractors are indeed, junk.
I don't agree with the blame the unions schtick..they certainly bear some blame for more recent demands, but you can thank unions for things like weekends, a 40 hour week, any semblance of benefits (although many are kissing those goodbye now), and worker safety. Again, if you don't mind losing a few workers to injuries each week...we could do it the "Chinese" way too.
I've joined the ranting. Woo!
I don't agree with the blame the unions schtick..they certainly bear some blame for more recent demands, but you can thank unions for things like weekends, a 40 hour week, any semblance of benefits (although many are kissing those goodbye now), and worker safety. Again, if you don't mind losing a few workers to injuries each week...we could do it the "Chinese" way too.
I've joined the ranting. Woo!
I wanna Farmall/Lanse
Member
Yes, Craftsman tools are allmade there in the US of A and they are VERY good quality. Get them at sears. I think they have wooden bricklayers handle hammers. I buy ALL my tools from them, affordable and are gurinteed forever. They cost about as much as kobalt tools (22 screwdrivers of all sizes=$30) and are amazing quality. The perfact tools.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
YOU BETTER LOOK AGAIN lots of crapmans tools are now CHINA
I wanna Farmall/Lanse
Member
Mowers, power tools, etc are forein. My tool chests, wonderful wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers are all americian.
Well I don't understand or know exactly how to say it.---- GM and Ford are supposed to be loosing money and are sending jobs over seas and not building new plants. Toyota it making money and sending jobs overseas, at least to them. They are going from Japan overseas to USA. They have built new plants in USA and hired new American workers. So what gives? I have long heard that the American worker is the most productive in the world. Productive enough that an items labor cost is lower than from overseas. Must be true. At least Toyota thinks so or else they would make their cars over there.
Davis In SC
Well-known Member
I have a machine shop sitting, idle... All the work we once did has gone to China.. Most of the former customers will admit that the quality of Chinese products is terrible, but at the low cost they are paying, they can overlook poor quality... In other words, All that matters is profits.. The values that shaped America are gone, tossed out the window, just to make a few more dollars.. I fear it is now too late to turn the situation around.. It won't be long before the buzzards come to roost...
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
If you think we need to make $4.00 an hour go to Mexico or China for a job. When I see obscene bonus's go to ceo's while they're cutting jobs there's just something not right about that. We cannot compete with China because the playing field is not level.
If you people want to live in a paper shack and have the government looking over your shoulder we could have the same wages and prices here. I don't think so! As you here on the news the chinese are using moe oil so that means their are more people driving cars. Guess what happens when their big population gets caughtup that are a hundred behind. The same thing that happened to Japan-they were buying all the expensive property in th U S. All of a sudden their banks went broke and the are still trying to come out of it. Their whole monetary system just about went under because of their cheap labor.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
You know, 100 years ago and for a considerable time thereafter, having a machine tool type job in an Automotive Factory , or a job in a steel factory or something like that was "leading edge technology requiring high dollar- super skilled craftsmen.
Today, however, those job skills are no longer premium grade high dollar job skills---although the Unions that had these jobs so designated, 80 years ago, still cling to the idea that Their workers are so highly skilled that they DESERVE $81.00/hr!
Today, there are NO jobs of this type requiring a wage of that much, and if the high school dropouts in Detroit who are getting that wage were to suddenly get what they are really worth, based upon the actual VALUE of their services, they'd ALL go on permenant strike!
It isn't ALL their fault, however1 You will notice that housing prices in cities where super-high wage factory jobs are the "Norm" are also Sky-high and getting worse! Housing prices in those cities are just as insane as the "prevailing wages".
What will be interesting is to see what happens when the High $$$$ housing collapses when the High $$$ Manufacturing jobs are finally ALL GONE and there are no longer any High $$$$ wage earners to pay those high $$$$$$$$$ prices for housing!
Today, however, those job skills are no longer premium grade high dollar job skills---although the Unions that had these jobs so designated, 80 years ago, still cling to the idea that Their workers are so highly skilled that they DESERVE $81.00/hr!
Today, there are NO jobs of this type requiring a wage of that much, and if the high school dropouts in Detroit who are getting that wage were to suddenly get what they are really worth, based upon the actual VALUE of their services, they'd ALL go on permenant strike!
It isn't ALL their fault, however1 You will notice that housing prices in cities where super-high wage factory jobs are the "Norm" are also Sky-high and getting worse! Housing prices in those cities are just as insane as the "prevailing wages".
What will be interesting is to see what happens when the High $$$$ housing collapses when the High $$$ Manufacturing jobs are finally ALL GONE and there are no longer any High $$$$ wage earners to pay those high $$$$$$$$$ prices for housing!
It's amazing how things turn out..I had a choice of 4 different machinists that would do work for me..All had the home machine shop in the rear building..Over the years , every one of them has died off..Now it seems like you have to stand over the machinist to get him to do anything for you..I got fed up and bought my own Jet lathe and Bridgeport for my own projects..I built my own Dozer Track Press from scratch..I have to make all the tooling to fit different size machines as I get the jobs in..Eventually I'll have enough apparatus so I won't waste time making tooling..
old fashioned farmer
Member
Howdy,
Well let's see, if memory serves me right the big CaseIH tractors as well as the 88 and 77 series combines are still assembled at least here in the US. One thing that I know is built in the good old US of A...Japanese cars and trucks...ha ha. Pretty good ain't it? God bless.
--old fashioned farmer
Well let's see, if memory serves me right the big CaseIH tractors as well as the 88 and 77 series combines are still assembled at least here in the US. One thing that I know is built in the good old US of A...Japanese cars and trucks...ha ha. Pretty good ain't it? God bless.
--old fashioned farmer
Lanse....I've got a whole box of your perfect tools that I use for wrench cut-offs when I need that special wrench..Working on heavy equipment , my tools get a work out..I predominantly buy Snap-On and S-K tools..My heavy use wrenches are Snap-On "plug together" wrenches..My 2" wrench is about 38" long with the 2 ends plugged into the heat treated handle..I'm glad you found your perfect tool supplier , but I'd wear a trail in the asphalt returning stuff to Sears..Same with the Diehard work shoes...I kept breaking the steel shank in the soles..I buy Red Wing and have for the last 15 years with no problems..
You and Muely nailed it. Paying a slug that much to put a car together is one reason why the jobs are going elsewhere. And the guys that have the jobs "overseas" are not in a union hall or bar complaining about their crappy job. When they do, the jobs will move on to another country. Deroit? Flint? Priced out of the market.
My 2 pesos worth.
My 2 pesos worth.
Roy, you already know part of your problem. You went to a big box store. Everything's sold primarily by price. Americans voting with their credit cards. Getting what they deserve.
There still is US manufacturing going on. My wife's an independent sales rep, carries 10-15 companies. She specializes in US produced women's apparel and accessories. None sold to big box stores. Does not (and cannot) compete with Chinese products.
Has your community already closed down Main Street, in favor of big box shopping? Hasn't happened everywhere. I can still go to more than one hardware/tool supplier and speak with the owner. Who is always a US goods promoter.
Needed some grade 70 chain recently. 2 choices for US made. I was happy.
There still is US manufacturing going on. My wife's an independent sales rep, carries 10-15 companies. She specializes in US produced women's apparel and accessories. None sold to big box stores. Does not (and cannot) compete with Chinese products.
Has your community already closed down Main Street, in favor of big box shopping? Hasn't happened everywhere. I can still go to more than one hardware/tool supplier and speak with the owner. Who is always a US goods promoter.
Needed some grade 70 chain recently. 2 choices for US made. I was happy.
sammy the RED
Well-known Member
I can't belive no one has said anything about tires !
How many of you are buying Chink made tires to save $10.00 each ?
When I go to buy tires, I tell 'em I want "Made In USA" tires only ! 8)
GeneMO
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pilot Grove, Mo.
Labor unions and lawyers have done it. Then you can add in high taxes, fees, permits, OSHA, and the lawsuit happy American people who sue for millions everytime the bust their knuckle on a wrench or spill hot coffee on themselves. It's our own damned fault for letting it get in the kinda mess we are in.
You think a China Man worker has workers comp insurance and can take off 6 months at full pay if he "hurts his back" Heck no!!
Gene
You think a China Man worker has workers comp insurance and can take off 6 months at full pay if he "hurts his back" Heck no!!
Gene
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Dunno - I've broken more "Snap-Off" tools then any other brand. It's a good thing they have a warrenty.
Everyone has their favorites, though!
Everyone has their favorites, though!
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Much of our problems has been brought on by American "tight wads" who will seek any way, drive and extra 100 miles, to "save" a nickel. Walmart is the best example. Their buyers keep on and on nickeling their suppliers, until they are forced to buy China crap. Walmart does this because our tight wad society wants to save a nickel. If you notice when you describe a product to Americans, the first question is always "how much". If you discribe something to a German, his question will be something about the technical aspects of the product. In their old country you can still buy all sorts of local made stuff, because they put quality first, cost second, and we put cost first and quality second. Just my rant. Tom
Walt Davies
Well-known Member
Has any of you ever looked at all the stuff made over seas and wondered how many people it would take to make all that stuff.
If we made it here and with full employment like we have now we would have to import millions of people to do the Work. So instead of "Made in China by Chinese" we would have have "Made in USA by Chinese or Mexicans" so what's the difference HUH!!!!!
Walt
If we made it here and with full employment like we have now we would have to import millions of people to do the Work. So instead of "Made in China by Chinese" we would have have "Made in USA by Chinese or Mexicans" so what's the difference HUH!!!!!
Walt
Back in the 40's and 50's the American car companies promised their workers pension and retiree health insurance, but instead of setting money aside then, they planned to pay out of future profits. That is why their costs are so much higher than Toyota's today. Toyota may be playing the same game, but they have not been here long enough to have retirees. In Japan everyone is in a government run pension plan, the employer does not contribute anything.
Studebaker actually did set aside money to cover future pensions, but did not set the plan up as a vested retirement plan. The New York moneymen decided that looting the pension fund was more profitable than building cars, so they shut down Studebaker, which was turning a profit at the time.
Studebaker actually did set aside money to cover future pensions, but did not set the plan up as a vested retirement plan. The New York moneymen decided that looting the pension fund was more profitable than building cars, so they shut down Studebaker, which was turning a profit at the time.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Kind of like social security, eh?
Yup, long open hours are convenient. Unfortunately they conflict with a local owner having a life.
I'll gladly make the effort to beat the 4:30 closing time of our best local place. Just to ensure that they stay in business. Owner knows and appreciates that, one of the reasons he gave up his previous job to take over when his father died. A really good hardware store is worth supporting. We have 3.
I'll gladly make the effort to beat the 4:30 closing time of our best local place. Just to ensure that they stay in business. Owner knows and appreciates that, one of the reasons he gave up his previous job to take over when his father died. A really good hardware store is worth supporting. We have 3.
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
A few years ago one of my buddies' friends was razzing me about my foreign-made Rodeo, saying he would only buy an American made truck, thus his new Explorer Eddie Bauer edition.
I walked him outside, had him pop the hood on his new patriotic machine and pointed out the Mazda parts therein.
He shut up until a year later he was back, drunk, bragging about his , yup, American made John Deere lawn tractor. A quick visit under the hood though revealed a Kawasaki engine. Haven't heard much from that dork since.
Its a global economy gents, like it or not. I hate the Chineses crap tools, lead painted toys and poison foodstuffs too. I yearn for the older days when we all made our own stuff and traded primarily amongst aourselves, but those days are gone.
Adjust, be vigilant and find a way to thrive. We still have the best place in the world to live. God bless America.
I walked him outside, had him pop the hood on his new patriotic machine and pointed out the Mazda parts therein.
He shut up until a year later he was back, drunk, bragging about his , yup, American made John Deere lawn tractor. A quick visit under the hood though revealed a Kawasaki engine. Haven't heard much from that dork since.
Its a global economy gents, like it or not. I hate the Chineses crap tools, lead painted toys and poison foodstuffs too. I yearn for the older days when we all made our own stuff and traded primarily amongst aourselves, but those days are gone.
Adjust, be vigilant and find a way to thrive. We still have the best place in the world to live. God bless America.
MT in Walford
Member
Reasons for Chinese built stuff:
lower price...why?: no insurance there to pay, no benefits, low wages, no vacation, real low wages, did I say Low Low Wages?, no osha, no unions, and not many lawyers, lots of factories competing against each other, like it was in the US back before WW 2. Another reason is free trade. Isn't it wierd that we won't allow child labor here, but we will gladly buy from places where they allow it?
No manufacturers here much anymore that you can buy from.. No loyalty in American consumers to pay a higher price US made product. Remember this my friends, we are in a deep hurt, you will see the economy here colapse big time, it will make the 30's look like a picnic. If we ever got in another world war, we have no manufacturing to fall back on like we did in WW2. These are sad days for America. My 2 cents worth.
Mike
lower price...why?: no insurance there to pay, no benefits, low wages, no vacation, real low wages, did I say Low Low Wages?, no osha, no unions, and not many lawyers, lots of factories competing against each other, like it was in the US back before WW 2. Another reason is free trade. Isn't it wierd that we won't allow child labor here, but we will gladly buy from places where they allow it?
No manufacturers here much anymore that you can buy from.. No loyalty in American consumers to pay a higher price US made product. Remember this my friends, we are in a deep hurt, you will see the economy here colapse big time, it will make the 30's look like a picnic. If we ever got in another world war, we have no manufacturing to fall back on like we did in WW2. These are sad days for America. My 2 cents worth.
Mike
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