50 years ago, a lot of the products that you could pick up at your local super market or mall were goods that were produced and manufactured here in the States by union workers and average citizens earning money for their family. There were a lot of warehouses, factories, and assembly lines for such goods.
Now how many of these factories are still in production? Very little, and of the ones that are still operating in the US, some aren't even owned by Americans, so the profit doesn't even stay in America.
When big corporations started looking at their profit margins and they wanted to increase it and save on labor, the unions just didn't work for them anymore. By shipping jobs over seas to smaller countries where the employees will work for far less money an hour, a lot of Americans were headed straight for the unemployment line. The upside was that we as consumers were getting the same goods at a less expensive price. When you think about it though, families were making less money since it was harder to find jobs, and then paying less on the same goods. So was it really cheaper? Lower income equals lower expenses. How much were people really saving as to before? I believe the ratio would stay right about the same. It was a delusion for many since they believed they were saving money since their outgoing monthly cost was lower than before. The real math lies in comparing it to your monthly income.
I think if we were able to produce more goods in America then we would have an export which would create more jobs for Americans and there would be a lot less unemployment. However that will probably never happen. We Americans are so self-centered around making as much money as we can, living the American dream with the single family home, white picket fence, dog and kids in the yard, that no one will be willing to work for $4 a day to produce the kinds of goods they can in China, that we buy everyday. It truly is a game of give and take. And sad to say, but most Americans aren't givers in this aspect. They like their riches, their cars, all their materialistic items that give them status among others in their group.
Honestly, I think we are just approaching the inevitable. Someday we will no longer produce anything in this country, which would give the rest of the world an upper hand to us and we would soon be known as a third world country, unless we make some drastic measures to try and change the direction we are headed.
I think you are right Jessie, in that the greedy corporations were "looking for an out" of having to pay the high american wages and benefits, they were just looking to increase their bottom line. Also, I like that you stated we were "fooled" or in a delusion. While I sincerely hope that we are able to "correct the ship" before we become equivalent to a third world country though. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree Jessie ,it could be a solution if US are able to produce more goods but since the sweatshop have the unbeatable wage and the laborers' are willing to do a lot more than what a average US worker would do out of desperation of money to feed themselves and family. Corporations are only looking for profits they do not care if people in their own country are facing unemployment as long as they are making more money.I think it's just reality that's what corporations are based on.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that we are very selfish, and we would not like to work $4 an hour, when other people are working for us. If we produce more goods, then we would not have the problem of unemployment, but instead we are giving all our jobs overseas, and helping other countries, when instead we really need the help.
ReplyDeleteWow, interesting article. I agree, change should happen before it is too late. In the past, the world was a larger place, but now with technology and the internet, the world became a smaller place. Other products from other countries is in the US market now, people have a choice to buy American or not to. Maybe lowering the margin between American and other countries prices should encourage people to buy American products.
ReplyDeleteIt is alarming to think that one day nothing will be produced or manufactured in America, although that seems like the direction the country is heading. If we allow our country to be 100% dependent on other countries for our goods we are leaving ourselves defenseless as well as selling ourselves short as far as our abilities and our opportunities. I think you have touched on some really good points here.
ReplyDeletenice and very thoughtful..:)
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