I’m not going to wax political — I’m not that crazy – but it seems to me if we want more jobs in this country we need to make more stuff in this country. Where has all the common sense gone? We threw billions at the Wall Street fat cats who colluded with investors to offer impossible loans to people who had no business getting them. We threw billions at the automobile industry with the Cash for Clunkers program, we’ve spent $4 trillion on wars, and we’ve thrown hundreds of billions of dollars around with various bailouts.
I have an idea. Why don’t we start making things here? Why don’t we spend less on war and more on people. How about subsidizing industry instead of throwing it around? How about we pay Dell, Apple, Microsoft, and other companies who outsource their manufacturing to China, Mexico, and other countries to bring the work home to American workers.
Not everyone can afford to go to college; not everyone wants to. But just because they don’t want to go college or cannot afford it shouldn’t condemn them to a life flipping burgers, should it.
What if the government subsidized each computer, TV, cell phone, tablet, appliance, Blu-Ray Player, etc. — just enough to make it worthwhile to the manufacturer? Wouldn’t that be a good investment? The government would get their money back through income taxes paid by the employees – many of them people who are working minimum wage jobs right now or not working at all.
Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and the rest would have to pay their workers a living wage – not minimum wage.
Look around – not a single one of the billions of cell phones you see everywhere were made in the USA. Not a single computer, not a single flat panel TV, not a single computer monitor, and not a single tablet computer is made in the USA. Think how many jobs would be created if we made all those things here – millions – maybe tens of millions.
And by bringing the jobs back home, we’d no longer be subsidizing the Chinese government’s military and space programs. They’d actually have to innovate. develop and produce original products – not rip offs of other people’s ideas.
If we’re going to throw money around maybe we should throw it where we a decent chance of getting back more than we spent.
If you’re saying the government needs to stay out of our lives — good luck with that – it’s not going to happen no matter what party occupies the White House. So as long as were going to throw money around — how about throwing it where it will help the average person — the average family? Good jobs that pay a living wage and don’t require college degrees are almost non-existent. Isn’t it time we brought the jobs back home?
Would you pay a bit more to buy a quality product made in the USA over one made in China? I think I would. How about you?
Hear, hear! Totally agree! For some now I’ve looked for goods made or grown in the USA, and get those products when it’s an option. I especially try to avoid ‘made in China’, and often just do without some items if there isn’t a USA or other comparable. Our country is way too dependent on the rest of the world–and not just for oil!
Same sentiments apply in our neck of the woods (Australia)
How to achieve it is the problem, the populace will agree to this in principle but politics will probably apply.
It is not in the interests of the unelected PTB. If it served their purposes then the jobs would return. The question is why making all the electronic products you listed in the USA no longer suits their aims. But what are they exactly? One needs to look in the alternative press not the ‘lamestream’ media.
We in Canada feel the same way as you do. I am getting to the point when I see something with “Made in China” I do not buy it. I would rather do without. We need to look after our own people first.
I totally agree; I always try to buy items that are made in USA. I also prefer service to be in the USA. I don’t care what the person’s nationality is, I just want them to work and pay taxes here as do I. I was able to find furniture made here from LaZBoy.
We’ve been saying this for years! I check all the labels when shopping, trying very hard NOT to buy China made products unless it’s an absolute necessity and many times will go without it. Yes I would pay more for an AMERICAN MADE product!
Thie really says it all in a nut shell , I try not to purchase any products made in China, Look at what the dry wall,s did to us.
Washington ware up and start thinking about America and the people
I live in UK and last year made my first visit to Washington State U$A. Everything I bought was made in China and when I looked at some Native American items I was told the necklaces were made in China, Geronimo must have turned in his grave.
I second everything said here, and said the same thing about Canada, we need to create more jobs in our countries, it’s good to care about helping people in poor countries, but we also have poor people in our own countries, ones who are losing homes due to no work. Not everyone does want to attend university, but many would like to have an apprenticeship and learn a good trade, or skill, give everyone a chance and the country will bound back.Give them nothing, and we’re in trouble.
If one wants the jobs to come back to this country, they need to get rid of the unions. The unions are the reason these companies have gone over seas – cause of the high salaries and even higher benefits. A company cannot survive long on what it has to pay those workers who demand and get higher and higher each time and if they dont get their demands, they will strike. This is the main reason all companies have moved out of the country.
USA made is what I search for! This began several years ago; celebrating the 4th of July I discovered many US flags were made in China. May God Bless the USA!
I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had it with the made in China stuff, which in most cases is the only option available to us.
Two pieces of furniture I bought recently from the Brick came in flat packs, there was no visible damage to the Cartons but inside some of the parts were very damaged. This tells me they are now packing the defective parts as well.
We have to stop buying this made in China crap as there appears to be no quality control.
It’s the only way we can bring it home…
I agree that there should be computer, ipads, cell phone, etc made in America. Also sure would be nice to have the tech support you call for help be american so you could understand what they are saying.
I agree also. A way to do this is look at every item one buys. If it is made in China don’t buy it. Look at labels in grocery stores. The store brand is usually made in America. It only takes a few extra minutes. If everybody did this it wouldn’t take long for the stores to get the message.
Absolutely correct!! we are Americans, we need to support our own . YES!!!!! buy American! I do.
I have been living in South America for the last 6 months, and it is so refreshing to find items for sale NOT made in China. Almost all countries, but China. I recently bought a beautiful pocket knife with wood inserts and a nice heft to it, for only $3.80 total. Once I opened the blade and saw “Made in the USA’ I was shocked. I probably couldn’t buy this same knife IN the US, let alone for that price.
Absolutely I would pay more for a computer made in the USA. I am a big proponent of buying USA made items whenever possible. Many, many times I have paid a bit more and gotten a USA made item and will continue to do so. We all need to be more vocal about our wish for USA items…..just recently I asked the manager of a store I frequent to try and get USA light bulbs for me……and she did!! Look at the labels before you buy!! I recently bought USA made dryer sheets that were cheaper than the ones made elsewhere. Look!!! Ask!!!
I’m from Quebec next to the Vermont border and when I cross over to buy I do not buy “made in China” either. Why not pay companies to bring back their products to be made in the US or Canada, create those jobs we so dearly need, and people working pay income taxes instead of getting social benefits and so on and so on. Very good article TC and good answers from all of you. Irene