On my 2nd beer and 3rd shot and everything Ive read so far above me I agree with 100%.
Again, this topic started because of my misidentification of a Walmart employee's Halloween costume. WOW.
But I've got to interject now. Yes, Walmart is hands down the best example ever of capitalism at work. As a company, it has done exactly what is necessary to become and remain highly profitable. I don't doubt that every single one of us would strive for the same outcome if the idea was our own. If you disagree, move to Cuba with the communists. If you want to bring politics into this, these protectionism theories are so anti-capitalism that even the staunchest communist would be slightly uncomfortable. Without China, where would we find a labor market suitable enough to turn our American ideas into profitable, marketable products? Don't bother telling me "American workers would do it" because the Apples and HPs and IBMs would never amount to anything if they had to exist solely inside of the American business environment.
The great part is, American success depends on the success of these emerging Markets like China, Korea, and Indonesia. As their economies and standards of living grow, what are they going to begin buying? iPods, computers, and high-tech equipment that, although manufactured overseas, will return the majority of their profits back to American owners. On a side note, what happens when all that cheap stuff gets to America? Freight workers in Anchorage, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, El Paso, and Laredo get to keep their jobs. Logistics firms like J.B. Hunt have to ship those goods all across the country. Shipping that stuff takes fuel, most of which we're going to get from Canada. Canada will make some money off of the sale of those fuels, so they'll spend it here in America. And all along that line, roads and infrastructure have to be built to allow the transit of those goods. Gas stations need to be built and maintained to refuel those trucks. Stores and schools need to be built to provide for the families who relocated to the coasts and borders to obtain the harbor jobs. Sure, there's more to it than that, but every little bit counts. My bet would be that if you jumpstarted the construction of new roads, on an Eisenhower scale, you'd see a change. But then again, where will we get the money to fund an infrastructure project like that???? CHINA. It's all so interconnected that we can't just say, "Oh, **** China, we're doing this the Amurikan way!"
Someone earlier said that the economy has gotten to the point that even doctors and lawyers have to work for wages. In my opinion, that's their own damn fault. Lawyers especially. America has enough lawyers and doctors already. What we don't have enough of (and coincidentally what China is producing like Matchbox Cars) is engineers, technicians, and idea men. The competitive edge going into the next twenty years isn't in manufacturing capacity, it's in intellect and ingenuity. Who can think of the next big product? That's the one thing left that we as individuals can control.
Bare bones situation though... The only reason that China can afford to buy up all of our debt is because of they massive trade surplus they run with us. If we quit buying their goods, they quit financing our debt. Both countries come to a halt. Is that good for America or China?
But I've got to interject now. Yes, Walmart is hands down the best example ever of capitalism at work. As a company, it has done exactly what is necessary to become and remain highly profitable. I don't doubt that every single one of us would strive for the same outcome if the idea was our own. If you disagree, move to Cuba with the communists. If you want to bring politics into this, these protectionism theories are so anti-capitalism that even the staunchest communist would be slightly uncomfortable. Without China, where would we find a labor market suitable enough to turn our American ideas into profitable, marketable products? Don't bother telling me "American workers would do it" because the Apples and HPs and IBMs would never amount to anything if they had to exist solely inside of the American business environment.
The great part is, American success depends on the success of these emerging Markets like China, Korea, and Indonesia. As their economies and standards of living grow, what are they going to begin buying? iPods, computers, and high-tech equipment that, although manufactured overseas, will return the majority of their profits back to American owners. On a side note, what happens when all that cheap stuff gets to America? Freight workers in Anchorage, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, El Paso, and Laredo get to keep their jobs. Logistics firms like J.B. Hunt have to ship those goods all across the country. Shipping that stuff takes fuel, most of which we're going to get from Canada. Canada will make some money off of the sale of those fuels, so they'll spend it here in America. And all along that line, roads and infrastructure have to be built to allow the transit of those goods. Gas stations need to be built and maintained to refuel those trucks. Stores and schools need to be built to provide for the families who relocated to the coasts and borders to obtain the harbor jobs. Sure, there's more to it than that, but every little bit counts. My bet would be that if you jumpstarted the construction of new roads, on an Eisenhower scale, you'd see a change. But then again, where will we get the money to fund an infrastructure project like that???? CHINA. It's all so interconnected that we can't just say, "Oh, **** China, we're doing this the Amurikan way!"
Someone earlier said that the economy has gotten to the point that even doctors and lawyers have to work for wages. In my opinion, that's their own damn fault. Lawyers especially. America has enough lawyers and doctors already. What we don't have enough of (and coincidentally what China is producing like Matchbox Cars) is engineers, technicians, and idea men. The competitive edge going into the next twenty years isn't in manufacturing capacity, it's in intellect and ingenuity. Who can think of the next big product? That's the one thing left that we as individuals can control.
Bare bones situation though... The only reason that China can afford to buy up all of our debt is because of they massive trade surplus they run with us. If we quit buying their goods, they quit financing our debt. Both countries come to a halt. Is that good for America or China?
Based on the context... I took that as a rather Libertarian declaration.
My first inclination upon meeting an under employed person with a degree usually sets off my "slacker radar"... but when the JOBS move away we get what we get.
"That tells me plenty about a person"... Really. OP noted that the Aisians are turning out all the Techs and Idea men... no foolin! That's were the work is. I guess my son (grad, underemployed, working hard for a break) should just pack up and move to China for a job ....
That's what a libertarian would say... make your own breaks.
As far as the rest of your post... no apology needed. I am glad your breaks have come your way... and your hard work has paid off. I will assure you in good times or bad... by the time you get to be 50 you will have met a lot of folks who fell way down the ladder after years of playing by the rules.
Maybe it's time to shoot the wounded and make progress. Or figure out how to make jobs for out citizens instead of apologetics for the fact we've let the Aisian and Saudis buy our country from under us.
I remember when being a hard working American and buying American made goods was something to be proud of, now we're so self important that were referring to blue collar labor as food for Darwin and attempting to justify our made somewhere else products as adapting to the global economy. 
:finger: the global economy! Who needs it? Oh, China needs it. Obama's current world travels are aimed at finding some third world countries that are willing to purchase American made goods because the largest consumer nation in the world refuses to support its own.
Yeah, we're better off adapting.
:finger: the global economy! Who needs it? Oh, China needs it. Obama's current world travels are aimed at finding some third world countries that are willing to purchase American made goods because the largest consumer nation in the world refuses to support its own.
Yeah, we're better off adapting.
All this talk of walmart, if you've ever visited 
www.peopleofwalmart.com Then it would explain why someone was seen wearing an inmate uniform In the store, Halloween day or not. Simply click the photo tab if you dare.....
Once you take a look at a few of the photos of people who frequent the place then you know why I avoid going there. Aside from 99% of the merchandise being made in China.
www.peopleofwalmart.com Then it would explain why someone was seen wearing an inmate uniform In the store, Halloween day or not. Simply click the photo tab if you dare.....Once you take a look at a few of the photos of people who frequent the place then you know why I avoid going there. Aside from 99% of the merchandise being made in China.
All this talk of walmart, if you've ever visited
Once you take a look at a few of the photos of people who frequent the place then you know why I avoid going there. Aside from 99% of the merchandise being made in China.
I seriously doubt that you avoid going to WalMart. Anywhere you go your buying stuff that's made in China. Anywhere, Target, Sears, or JCPenny. You name it, it's all made in China. So why would you choose to pay more when you can buy it for less at WalMart?? You probably went to WalMart twice this week. Once to buy more .22 ammo and then again to buy beer.
Not good for anybody. We depend on each other. They call in the loans,we go under,and then so does the rest of the civilized world. No other country could survive without us- which 'us' is our economy,our education systems,research&development,technology,etcetc. Even China. China wouldnt be able to sell its own people their cheaply made goods. Not 'cheap' goods,'cheaply' made goods. Their small wages depend on the companies they work for being able to sell their goods to countries like us.
AC or DC power,telephones,Vacuum tubes,cathode ray tubes,printed circuit boards,microchips,LCDs,LEDs,plasma display monitors,etcetc- none were invented and developed by Asians. But some how their electronics companies kick ass world wide. They may be masters at marketing and manufacturing,but definitely not inventing. Or innovations. They depend on us as much or more as we depend on them. As does the rest of the civilized world. Thus the invention of the global economy.
When you buy cheaply made goods at WalMart even if it was manufactured in China the US had something to do with that product in one way or another. It may be a sad state of world manufacturing affairs,but its the way it is. If you dont buy from WalMart or Sams Club or CostCo,etcetc, you will still be buying their cheaply made products from somewhere else at some other time- Best Buy,Guitar Center,Lowes,etcetc.
As a professional musician,music equipment distributer,and music instrument collector; Ive been collecting guitars,amps, and other gear since the 80s. I prefer American made Gibson Les Pauls and British made Marshall amps, but I also love and have quite a few Japanese made ESPs and Ibanez's,and am just now starting to get a pretty good collection of Korean made guitars. Doesnt bother me one bit to give any of them my money- US companies or the Asians.
Ok. Back to the guy in the damn work release uniform. What the hell was he doing there working at WalMart if he was on work release? Ive heard of the sheriff in Benton County being an azz,now the sheriff of Washington county has guys working at WalMart? Weird. I cant imagine that it was 'subsidized' labor. If companies use labor from the county its probably about as expensive as using LaborFinders,which costs way more than minimum wage to the company who hires them. And then there is the security risk to customers. Hmmm. Something stinks in suburbia. This is weird.
Just because you do these things you shouldn't assume everyone does. You seem to think you know all about me but based on your post is evident you prefer using these forums to flame on people you have no clue about other than simply post something relevant to the topic. Find someone else to focus your bs assumptions towards. btw I never said 100% of what I buy is made in USA. That is all but impossible these days. I avoid walmart for many reasons, made in China is merely only one.
I remember when being a hard working American and buying American made goods was something to be proud of, now we're so self important that were referring to blue collar labor as food for Darwin and attempting to justify our made somewhere else products as adapting to the global economy.
:finger: the global economy! Who needs it? Oh, China needs it. Obama's current world travels are aimed at finding some third world countries that are willing to purchase American made goods because the largest consumer nation in the world refuses to support its own.
Yeah, we're better off adapting.
ROFLMAO...
You remember, you remember. Well so do I Shootin' - I imagine we're close to the same age or I'm older.
I'm a poster child for adapt. When I got out of the military I was a technician. Big demand for them in the mid 80's. Went to work for a local TV station as an engineer. After 6 months I decided TV engineer didn't pay enough to feed my family of 5 so I hunted around and found a job as a supervisor at an international medical equip manufacturing firm. I adapted to my needs at the time.
With no college degree I rose to the ranks of Director within 4 1/2 years until 2 1/2 years later I decided the politics that management had to put up with at that level weren't worth the pay. Techs still in high demand so I found an interesting and well paying job at Seagate. I adapted to my new needs. A year later they moved the job offshore. Tech jobs not so easy to find in OKC by then. I could have moved to Dallas or somewhere but chose not to.
DID I CRY AND WHINE BECAUSE MY SKILL SET WASN'T MARKETABLE ANY MORE?
NO!
I adapted.
I went back to college and finished off getting a degree I started on in 1970. A year and a half later I graduated with a degree in finance. Guess who hired me back? That's right Seagate. I adapted and got the education I needed to make myself and my skill set marketable.
5 years later I'd risen to manager level there, got bored and went on to day trading for a year. Fun but stressful. Went back into the marketplace intentionally seeking an analyst position free of BS politics or any possibility of finding myself back in management. 4.5 years later I moved on and have been at my current position for almost 5 years.
I'm no more primed for success than anyone else.
What I am is willing to change with the times.
I adapted. I survived and even thrived.
You can whine and cry about the state of the US economy, its place in the world; you can deride Walmart and blame its success on the present state of the US economy but that's not going to change anything.
The world is changing. The US can change with it or go down. You can change with it or go down.
Adapt or die.
Learn to do it, live it and you'll succeed.
Ignore the lesson and you and those like you will be greeting the dodo at the pearly gates when you pass on.
Adapt or die? We have citizens that do not have the ability or intellect to adapt and change the way that you do. Do we ignore their needs, protect their means of supporting themselves or do we adapt to socialism?
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