Quote:
Originally posted by marichiko
How can we think that its a good idea to have the steel girders for our bridges and buildings be made in Mexico or Taiwan? ...
A nation that can't make steel, can't manufactor industrial items, can't produce electronic components or write good programming code is going to be a second rate nation.
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Steel is a perfect example of both what is wrong in some American industries and why 'buy American' only makes it worse.
The PBS show called Skyscraper followed construction of a Manhatten building from planning to occupancy. Once NYC was built on steel from Bethlehem Steel in Bethlehem PA and US Steel in Fairless Hills PA. But it was now cheaper to have the steel made in Luxembourg, shipped to Houston for cutting, then shipped to NYC; rather than to have all work done in either eastern PA town. Why? Both US Steel and Bethlehem Steel were long dominated by the MBAs. They had stifled electric arc furnaces (and so many other technologies) because that is what MBA managers do - cost controls. They kept goning to the government for protection. Skyscraper was an early 1990s building. But even in 2000s, both companies still would not use a 1964 technology. 40 years later and we still did not remove the problem.
So what did we do? We foolishly provide government protection for anti-American industries. As a result, in 2003, the George Jr administration hurt productive (patriotic) American businesses again by raising steel tarriffs. Promote the anti-free market and anti-American concept called 'Buy American'. Don't force them to eliminate THE problem. Instead punish productive Americans to save those grossly overpaid MBA mentalities who created the problem. Same people who then make those big campaign contributions.
The airlines called United, American, Delta, and US Air, etc are classic anti-Americans. So what did George Jr do? Gave them $1billion+ with no strings attached. As a result, and due to classic anti-American management, those same airlines lost $7.4billion last year. We put them on welfare which only protected the problem - the enemies of America - top management - who are also big campaign contributors.
How did we save Chrylser? We refused to protect them. As a result Chrysler removed the enemy of America. Replaced its MBA trained top management Townsend and Richardo (who did not even have a driver's license) with a car guy named Lee Iacocca. Threat of bankruptcy will only fix the real problem - and save jobs.
NYC was on the verge of bankruptcy under Mayor A Beam. In response to federal government protection, instead, the front page of the NY tabloid was "Ford to NYC Drop Dead". Pres Ford therefore saved NYC. NYC elected Ed Koch - eliminated the problem. NYC created a finance oversight board that forced city council to be fiscally responsible - ie. no more free stadiums for the Yankees, etc.
If jobs are being lost, well, that problem existed four and more years ago. Job loss is a lagging indicator of more serious problems. Problems are directly traceable to top management - the real anti-Americans. (Anti-Americans are those who stifle innovation - the only source of American jobs, growth, strength, markets, and advancement of mankind). If the problem is not removed today, then jobs must be lost four years later. The sooner we threaten those companies with bankruptcy, etc, then the sooner all American workers will be wealthier; will have jobs.
Lately, those anti-Americans found new ways to gouge themselves on America - the 'big 5' fraudulent accounting fiirms - KPMG, Aruthur Andersen, etc. And they got Republican congressman to starve the SEC for funds. Permit accounting fraud to protect top management's income and bonuses while not fixing the company's only problem. Do you think Tyco, Enron, Ivan Boseky and Waste Management did not enrich top management at your expense - and job losses?
Trying to save jobs is too little too late. If making a bad product, then buy the Chinese product. It is the only way to fix the problem in America. Alternative will only be more GM cars so bad and so expensive as to not be exportable. Patriots bought Hondas and Toyota in 1981 and therefore saved Ford Motor - kicked out the anti-American Henry Ford. Anti-Americans said "Buy American"; keep that anti-American management in power to make more inferior products.
Its called free market economics. To make American industries profitable, the consumer must always buy nothing but the best - regardless of where it is made. If not made in America, then top management (people who don't come from where the work gets done) is a major reason. Buy American only means job losses will occur later with even more devestating consequences. Attack the reason for those job losses - anti-American management who (by definintion) stifle what made America great.
The PBS show Skyscraper 10 years ago demonstrates why America no ranks top 5 (and maybe not in the top ten) in making steel.