I have often wondered if some of the folks that gripe about jobs going overseas are ones that do not want to evolve with the changing American economy?
Think about it, at one time the US was a great manufacturing country when other countries in the world were not even capable of manufacturing goods, we were among the super powers because of our manufacturing capabilities.
The world has changed now, even third world countries now have manufacturing capabilities, they have evolved!
What has kept the US a Super Power? Technology! As a result the American economy has dictated that in order to live the American dream you have to evolve in one of several directions, either evolve into the technology or service industry, learn a trade/skill in demand, or work at minimum wage jobs because third world countries have taken over the unskilled manufacturing needs of the world.
In America today if you are able to use a computor physically and are willing to apply yourself there is no excuse for being unemployed or even underpaid.
IMO America is still the land of opportunity for those who are willing to EVOLVE with the American economy.
I hate to say this because some folks do not want to hear it, but the American economy has evolved away from manufacturing to a technology, service, skilled trade economy in order to remain a super power, successful manufacturers in the US are few and far between and the ones that are successful are very automated and generally dealing with producing cutting edge technology products.
This is just my opinion, any of you feel differently, if so why?
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
I hate to say this because some folks do not want to hear it, but the American economy has evolved away from manufacturing to a technology, service, skilled trade economy in order to remain a super power, successful manufacturers in the US are few and far between and the ones that are successful are very automated and generally dealing with producing cutting edge technology products.
If all goods and many manufacturing services are purchase elsewhere (hypothetically) what remains of an "economy?"
If all goods and many manufacturing services are purchase elsewhere (hypothetically) what remains of an "economy?"
Notice vc I did say that the way we remain ahead and will remain ahead is due to high tech, services, and skills, in addition to high tech manufacturing.
Face it when a US company automates production someone has to not only make the machinery/robotics to automate, software also has to be written and the machinery/robotics have to be maintained. The point I am trying to make is if someone refuses to adapt to our changing economy as the people in third world countries have adapted to thiers, who is to blame?
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
Face it when a US company automates production someone has to not only make the machinery/robotics to automate, software also has to be written and the machinery/robotics have to be maintained.
And the result is a net loss in jobs. When the net loss gets to a certain point, there is no more "adapting."
Without jobs in sufficient numbers, social and welfare programs come under heavy strain causing an increased need for taxation of those that are lucky enough to still have jobs.
Without jobs in sufficient numbers, social and welfare programs come under heavy strain causing an increased need for taxation of those that are lucky enough to still have jobs.
I do not consider it "luck". I consider it those willing to "evolve".
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
I'd say yes and no. VC has some good points also in that we cannot simply import all manufacturing products. We need to have some manufacturing ability or our country will go downhill also. Your points about technology are right on the money though. Technology will be the driving economical force in the 21st century. However, once you design something, you still need to be able to produce it to make money. having foreign countries produce all of our newly designed products is a great way to get ripped off. Just look at China's trademark and copyright infringements for example.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
cal I never said we should import our manufacturing, but we need to be realistic and realize that times are changing and America remains a super power because we are "the cutting edge" of the world, we will continue to manufacture that which is "the cutting edge", but economics dictate that when something can be manufactured by anyone that it is no longer "cutting edge" and the third world countries will be able to do it for far less money then we can, that is why they are third world and we are a super power, they follow us!
In order to live the American dream people need to stop expecting to do third world work for super power pay, they need to step up to the plate and EVOLVE!
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
I agree, Tazman. Technology, not foreign economies, is responsible for a lot fo the job loss in America today. However, I don't see technology as a bad thing. Every economy is limited by three factors: land, labor, and capital. Technology frees up labor that is being used inefficiently so that it may be redirected to more efficient uses. A lot of people will suffer temporary unemployment as a result. As bad as it probably seems to those workers at the time, it is not permanent to those willing to adopt and learn new skills. Unemployment is simply a transaction cost incurred when shifting labor from inefficient uses to more efficient ones.
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You may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride!
North Texan that is exactly where I am coming from, when I was a young buck I was making big bucks by the sweat of my brow and a strong back, then I saw a co-worker mess up his back, he could no longer make a living to support his family with a strong back! At the time the only thing he had to offer an employer was a high school diploma, he could no longer do manual labor of any type, so his wife and kids suffered. This was in about 1977, I decided that I needed to EVOLVE, I joined the Air Force to learn electonics and computors, I took a huge initial pay cut, but 4 years later I was making more then I was before I joined the Air Force and was out of the Air Force, I can honestly say that I will be gainfully employed as long as I stay up to date with technology and it will not matter what my health is as long as I can still use a computor.
EVOLVE or one will be left behind.
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The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
This is just my opinion, any of you feel differently, if so why?
I agree 100%. I'd much rather spend my time finding new ways to build my resume (and thus actually make more money) than whining about how unfair life is.
Evolving with the Economy.....
