For years I've heard people out here preach the concept of adapting to our changing work force or get left behind. While that thought is fine in theory it leaves huge holes in terms of reality.
We are seeing unprecedented job loss, companies folding, government growing, bottomless bailout programs that will only cause more inflation and push us closer to the inevitable collapse of our economy, perhaps the world's economy.
I've been saying for years that wealth is created only through manufacturing - by creating something out of nothing rather than passing the buck around and sending most of our money (and jobs) overseas.
Many also think that we are in a "fair-trade economy", which couldn't be further from reality. This only adds to the complexity of job loss and the value of our dollar declining.
So how does one adapt without industry? Without a place of employment? Are we all going to fix bridges and build new roads?
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We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a civilization, it expects what never was and what never will be.
How do American workers compete with foreign workers with a lower standard of living, and a salary 1/10 of that enjoyed by the American worker ? Is the American labor force supposed to subsist on $400 a month, like the manufacturing employees in India, China and Asia ?
Is the American labor force supposed to subsist on $400 a month, like the manufacturing employees in India, China and Asia ?
No we are not, thats why our trade policies need fixed to benafit our situation. This could never be fixed under the Republican greed. Simple as that bergur.
The world seems to have rejected protectionism. This is not just a Republican/US position. This is clearly the position of the EU and is much talked about right now among EU nations as well as the G8 nations.
If you reject protectionism you are left with the proposition that our manufacturing workers have to compete with "their" manufacturing workers. Sure, there are some unfair trade practices that we are the victim of. Let's suppose that tomorrow those unfair practices were remedied, our workers would still have to compete. Some products may be associated with substantial transportation costs that give local production an advantage. Other products, however, exhibit a cost that is not dominated by transportation costs -- semi-conductors, textiles, clothing. At least in these items, indeed you are confronted by the proposition of a worker in the US competing head-to-head with a guy in China who is quite happy working 80 hours per week for $200/month (the wages pulled out of the air -- don't know what they are paid -- I bet the hours per week are in the ballpark).
So, if you don't reject protectionism, the message is clear, you ARE competing with workers in the third world. What is the answer? You need a skill that distinguishes you and which the marketplace values. Being the best buggy whip craftsman on the planet may be a distinguishing skill, I fear the marketplace does not place a high value on that skill.
Now if you want to revisit and debate protectionism, that is another subject.
US Manufacturing has been growing steady at 4% for the last 6 decades. That beats our GDP growth. What allows us to pay our workers more than China and other parts of the world is productivty. We have been following the same trend that farming followed at during the begining of the 20th century.We once hadaround 40% of our population in farming. Today it's less than 2% but we produce much more with that work force then ever before through automation. Manufacturing has been doing the exact same thing with robots and automated assemblylines. You need to decide if you want higher wages and less people employed in manufacturingthat comes with productivity growth or lower wages with more being employed.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
That beats our GDP growth. What allows us to pay our workers more than China and other parts of the world is productivty.
No, it's called exploitation via capitalism. We're the top dog now. Yeah, that India software engineer with a Ph.D in computer science is really only worth $8 an hour.
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You need to decide if you want higher wages and less people employed in manufacturingthat comes with productivity growth or lower wages with more being employed.
It's already been decided to employ many in the service sector.
That beats our GDP growth. What allows us to pay our workers more than China and other parts of the world is productivty. [/blockquote]
No, it's called exploitation via capitalism. We're the top dog now. Yeah, that India software engineer with a Ph.D in computer science is really only worth $8 an hour.
No, it's called supply and demand. They are cranking out their higher level grads whiles we are producing kids who can't pass high school graduation exams.
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[blockquote]quote:
You need to decide if you want higher wages and less people employed in manufacturingthat comes with productivity growth or lower wages with more being employed.
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It's already been decided to employ many in the service sector.
Nothing wrong with that someone has to fix all these robots and automation lines.
Here is the US manufacturing chart:
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
No, it's called supply and demand. They are cranking out their higher level grads whiles we are producing kids who can't pass high school graduation exams.
Btw, if they're so unproductive and worth very little, then why is there medical tourism?
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Nothing wrong with that someone has to fix all these robots and automation lines.
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Here is the US manufacturing chart:
I won't argue you there. Still, why is manufacturing going down for trivial service jobs?
"Adapt or get left behind"
No we are not, thats why our trade policies need fixed to benafit our situation. This could never be fixed under the Republican greed. Simple as that bergur.
