America..........Not Hiring!

[Blown&Injected]

A friend that does HVAC work told me that most of the parts he uses had Made in America on them until just after NAFTA. Now the packaging says Mexico on most of the parts.

Been looking for a job forever. Kept going to school to try to better myself; earned a Masters three years ago and besides for some side work - nothing going on. I can't figure who is buying all these half million dollar homes they keep building around here.

 

[dhauser]

The hard, cold truth is that American business, with very very few exceptions, cares nothing for the people who put them at the top. We are commodities, plain and simple. Don't ever forget it.

If you want to make any headway in this life, it's going to be all you, baby. No one cares about your future except for you.

My company, Sprint, is offshoring some of it's IT functions. They have all kinds of resources being put into putting a happy face on it, but in reality, at least 500 people will lose their jobs. It's all about the mighty buck, end of story.

Let me know if you want to know how I really feel...hehehe

 

[TwoLaneBlackTop]

Re: Re: America..........Not Hiring!

Originally posted by TT/A1233
Where were you during the 1980's when the American auto industry went to Japan? You can thank your fellow Americans for buying JAP cars. My GM family escaped the tens of thousands of layoffs and recently retired....I'll never own a foreign made vehicle as long as I can help it.

Buy AMERICAN!

I try to buy quality, usualy that means somthing that is American, German, or Japanese made.

But as far as so many Japanese cars of the 80's being sold I understand why after owning a 80's Japanese car. My little beater civic has never has broke on me, on the other hand my Turbo Buick even when it was allmost stock with much less miles on it broke all the time.

And similar with my Porsche, made in 1985 and still is solid, much better quality then pretty much any new american car I have seen and this car is 18 years old now!

Get in a new GM car and it looks like a fisher price playground inside, loaded with cheap plastic. And in a few years the car will rattle like mad on the inside, I know as I have owned many GM cars and it often happens. (My Impala SS held up well though)

I dont think it is because American cant build as good of car, I blame it more on executives not wanting to spend as much money building a good car.

I will buy another GM car, the day they make a car with fit and finish as good as a similar priced import car.

 

[turboscott]

I agree. The USA isn't the greatest country in the world for no reason. Our people make it the greatest country. We certainly have the talent and resources to make the best quality products out there, whether it be a car or a hammer. But, the CEO's and upper management in these big companies care about cutting costs and along with costs they are cutting quality. I was one of those people that always said I would never buy a foriegn car. Well my wife drives a Maxima and I drive a Sentra. Easily the 2 best cars I have ever owned. I even thought about selling my GN and buying a 350Z. American cars are no more American than Honda, Toyota, or Nissan. These companies are assembling their cars over in this country or at least some lines of their cars. They are providing us with jobs. Take a look at article #1. GM made $521 million in profit the 2nd quarter of this year alone. yes, it is down from last year's 1.4 billion profit in the second 1/4. Now if they make this same profit every 1/4 this year they will have made $2 billion in profit this year. this is after all the big execs get their huge bonuses. Would it really be that bad for GM to pay some engineers to put together a good car? Would it hurt them to only make $1.7 billion and use some quality materials to build the cars? Would it kill them to only make $1 billion in profit and bring some jobs back to America?

Article #2 shows just how much these CEO's make. This is about Michael Eisner, the CEO is Disney. Take a look at how much he has made in the last 5 years. These are the types of people that are sending our jobs overseas to save money. He may not be doing it himself but his fellow CEO's are and they make similar money.


http://davenet.userland.com/2002/03/27/eisnerMadeOver700MillionIn5Years


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1443544.stm

Jack Welch the former CEO of General Electric is worth about $3 billion. He was trying to buy the Boston Red Sox when they were for sale 2 years ago so his wealth was discussed alot around this area. He sent many jobs overseas.

Bottom line is, we need to do something to keep these jobs in our country for our people.

 

[1987 GN]

Re: Re: America..........Not Hiring!

Originally posted by TT/A1233
Where were you during the 1980's when the American auto industry went to Japan? You can thank your fellow Americans for buying JAP cars. My GM family escaped the tens of thousands of layoffs and recently retired....I'll never own a foreign made vehicle as long as I can help it.

Buy AMERICAN!

My guess is I was playing outside at recess when all of this was going on as I was about 9 years old.

I think people started buying cars from Japan because they were a better quality. I have no problem with companies offshoring to get better quality labor. If someone from another country does better work then the company should use them. One of the articles I was reading said hospitals are outsourcing the reading of catscans. The hospitals need the right answer everytime and if offshoring gets them a better quality worker then shame on us Americans for not providing higher quality work. But if the work is outsourced because the companies can get equivalent labor at a cheaper price, now I have a problem with it. I should not be penalized because these companies can save money by not providing 401(k) plans, medical insurance, and reasonable American wages. That is why I agree with turboscott about taxing these companies. Tax them so much that it costs them the same to have an employee outside of the US as it does to have one inside the US so that if they still seek offshore labor, you know it is because of the quality of labor they provide, not the savings that hits the bottom line.

 

[Nashty]

Re: John DEERE

Originally posted by littlesixsteve
Not all JD products are made here. I have a longshoreman friend who works the docks of baltimore. He has seen those BIG AZZED wheat choppers come here from Europe in JD paint.. Apperntly JD imports them here.

Deere does in fact import some equipment into the US. By and large, this stuff comes from companies that we have BOUGHT. You may also be seeing some returning product from Europe that is prototype machinery returning to East Moline, IL.

I can't disclose figures but I will tell you that JD does not import one combine into the US for sale to the public. We EXPORT combines worldwide. We manufacture in Brazil, Germany and China. Shipping a combine is not cheap and some economies simply can't afford a $200,000 combine (like China). Germany is actually much more expensive labor wise for manufacturing.

I know where the money you spend on a combine goes. Direct material is by far the largest expenditure. Direct labor is down the list. What does that mean? It means that even though the Jap car you buy was assembled here, the most profitable components were IMPORTED into the USA. Where do the corporate tax dollars go? USA or Japan? What pays for your federal budget items? Who paid to liberate Iraq and Afghanistan?

Japan? Canada? Mexico?

It DOES matter what country the company is located in. I turned down job a offer for a Japanese job shop in Mattoon, IL. They made brake rotors and subs for Misutbishi in Normal. They offered me a $10,000 signing bonus! BUT, NO OVERTIME and LOTS of problems to be seen just walking around the plant. Workers paid squat and ALL the profit went back to JAPAN.

QUIT BUYING FOREIGN PRODUCT - nobody gets it! Quit going to Wal-Mart for all your goods. Go to the mom and pop store down the street.


------------

The biggest motivator for all this economic shift is the stock option. Look up the CEO salaries and you'll find that 99% of them make MUCH more in stock options than in base salary alone. SOOOOO, the big push is to look sexy to the market. ROA, OROA, SVA. Forcing companies to expense options would have a BIG impact on how many jobs get shipped overseas my friends. Someone in congress was thinking on that one. If it didn't die, it will. That is one law that makes too much sense.

 

[turboscott]

The mom and pop stores down the street are selling most of the same products as Wal-Mart just for more money. We are bascially saying the same thing. We need to quit supporting foreign economies and keep the money and the jobs in this country. Anyone willing to write a letter to their Sentor to make something happen cuz 100 people adapting this practice of only buying American products won't make a bit of difference.

What my plan is, along with 1987 GN, is to do some research on jobs lost to other countries and present this info to our local Senator's Ted Kennedy (crook) and John Kerry (phoney) and have as many people sign a petition as possible. We know nothing will most likely happend because they will just be thinking about how they can present this to their big corporate friends and work it into a payoff for themselves. But, I am tired of seeing nobody make a difference.

 

[dthrock]

Originally posted by dhauser
The hard, cold truth is that American business, with very very few exceptions, cares nothing for the people who put them at the top. We are commodities, plain and simple. Don't ever forget it.

If you want to make any headway in this life, it's going to be all you, baby. No one cares about your future except for you.

My company, Sprint, is offshoring some of it's IT functions. They have all kinds of resources being put into putting a happy face on it, but in reality, at least 500 people will lose their jobs. It's all about the mighty buck, end of story.

Let me know if you want to know how I really feel...hehehe

You are straight on it as usual Doug, if you expect a company to care about you , you are going to go hungry. It means nothing to them to lay you off 2 months before you retire, just means they dont have to pay for all your hard work.

If you are counting on social security when you get old you are probably going to end up eating dog food for a long time.

Make money and put it in the bank. YOU are the only one who will ever care about you when it comes to your future. I found this out the hard way and learned from past mistakes of counting on other people to come thru for you.

Dave

 

[b231v6]

Re: Re: Re: America..........Not Hiring!

Originally posted by TwoLaneBlackTop
I try to buy quality, usualy that means somthing that is American, German, or Japanese made.

But as far as so many Japanese cars of the 80's being sold I understand why after owning a 80's Japanese car. My little beater civic has never has broke on me, on the other hand my Turbo Buick even when it was allmost stock with much less miles on it broke all the time.

And similar with my Porsche, made in 1985 and still is solid, much better quality then pretty much any new american car I have seen and this car is 18 years old now!

Get in a new GM car and it looks like a fisher price playground inside, loaded with cheap plastic. And in a few years the car will rattle like mad on the inside, I know as I have owned many GM cars and it often happens. (My Impala SS held up well though)

I dont think it is because American cant build as good of car, I blame it more on executives not wanting to spend as much money building a good car.

I will buy another GM car, the day they make a car with fit and finish as good as a similar priced import car.

My thoughts exactly! Buy whatever fits your needs. Your free! That's why I support our military. And buy what ever I want.

 

[Matt Weiser]

Re: Re: Re: America..........Not Hiring!

Originally posted by 1987 GN
That is why I agree with turboscott about taxing these companies. Tax them so much that it costs them the same to have an employee outside of the US as it does to have one inside the US so that if they still seek offshore labor, you know it is because of the quality of labor they provide, not the savings that hits the bottom line.

I agree, but come on, will this really ever happen? Not in these times, that's for sure. Instead it's all about deregulation and tax cuts. The FCC just changed the rules to make sure big media companies like Disney, Microsoft and GE can own more of the newspapers we read and the news networks we watch. What does this mean? First, mergers and job cuts. Then it will be harder for all of us to get the truth about corporate corruption when fewer big companies control more of the media. Kind of ironic that this is going on while we liberate Iraq.

It's all about greed. How much money does anybody really need? For some of these corporate bigshots, it's never enough. We should tax the cr*p out of their earnings, too. Instead we're cutting their taxes.

I also used to be one of those guys who said I'd never own a rice burner. But I wouldn't touch a new American car now (OK, maybe a Z06! ) . My company has four fleet cars, all recent American cars, and they all drive like dung carts. The newest is a Cavalier that's just a couple years old and driving that thing is like sitting at a plastic booth at McDonald's. Makes me really miss the fleet of Civics my last company had.

 

[strikeeagle]

Using your argument, I should be bitching that the South and West stole all the Rust Belt's jobs.

I know you guys pay more to preserve our way of life - I can tell by what you offer for cars and parts of this board!!!

 

[1987 GN]

Originally posted by strikeeagle
Using your argument, I should be bitching that the South and West stole all the Rust Belt's jobs.

I know you guys pay more to preserve our way of life - I can tell by what you offer for cars and parts of this board!!!

Who were you writing to? So many of us have responded I was not sure.

 

[Little6pack]

Re: Re: John DEERE

Originally posted by Nashty
Deere does in fact import some equipment into the US. By and large, this stuff comes from companies that we have BOUGHT. You may also be seeing some returning product from Europe that is prototype machinery returning to East Moline, IL.

I can't disclose figures but I will tell you that JD does not import one combine into the US for sale to the public. We EXPORT combines worldwide. We manufacture in Brazil, Germany and China. Shipping a combine is not cheap and some economies simply can't afford a $200,000 combine (like China). Germany is actually much more expensive labor wise for manufacturing.


------------
.

He said these were brand spanking New machines being delivered to the midwest.

Unless some rich dudes just like buying them to play on the farm


BTW The ECONOMY has GONE GLOBAL is a new ball game that won't change unless we shut our doors for good.

The problem here is if we shut our doors the EPA, Labor groups will have a FIT because of conditions to manufacture stuff. Pollution wise, healthwise. That is why the 3rd world & 2nd world countries manufacture stuff.. They are junkies to produce stuff to make $$ & don't care about the risks

 

[Two Lane]

Look under the hood of various John Deere tractors, both gas & diesel...you'll find motors of several Asian manufacturers.

Not much of anything is 100% "Made-In-America", or made with 100% American parts...

Yesterday, sure. Not today.

 

[slow87]

If you are interested in Welding, Assembly or skilled trades, send me a note. Jobs are in the Midwest.

I just INSOURCED 2 jobs to our plant last year.

BUY AMERICAN !!! Get it?

Really? I can't seem to find any other jobs than gas stations and wal-mart. I have made windows, worked wharehouse and I have been unemployed for almost 4 months now. I also have a skill with electronics. Autometer would hire me but that's an hour away. The local electrician's union doesn't want me when they can get some laid off 30 year old with more experience than me. Us younger guys are losing jobs to the older guys who lost their jobs to foreigners. So PLEASE prove me wrong, and tell me there are trade jobs in the mid west. If it keeps up like this my regal will be for sale before the end of the month. BTW our John Deere has a kawasaki motor

 

[UNGN]

Originally posted by slow87
I also have a skill with electronics. Autometer would hire me but that's an hour away.

If you want to work there are jobs out there. You could always move. I have. 4 times. An average distance of 700 miles each move.

A lot of people from the northeast seem to be bitching that its the "greedy corporations" fault they don't have jobs and it's the Federal Governments responsibilty. Curiously those are also the same people that admit to owning foreign cars "American cars aren't made in america anyway" they say. O.K.

My company has both moved jobs into the northeast and moved jobs out of the northeast in the last 5 years. It's all about productivity and profits. If you foreign car philes will pay more car built in Japan by people concerned about quality, think about how the Japanese guy feels buying a $10 million dollar turbine engine made by the same high quality US workforce. If we can have something made in Texas for less than in connecticut, we'll do it. We are competing with the Germans, the French and the British. Profits "DO" matter. Profits are the difference between having a good job and looking for a job.

If you wonder why Jobs are leaving the Northeast ask yourself "why am I taxed so much" and "where does all that money go". You'll be surprised to find A LOT of it goes to corporate welfare to keep jobs in your states that would have left years ago. It's just prolonging the inevitable, though.

Government isn't the solution to the problem of a lack of jobs unless you mean "smaller government". The sooner you all realize this the farther ahead you will be.

 

[typhoon]

I work at a manufacturing facility as the manufacturing engineer.

Here is my observations as to why things are moving to oversees.

1. A fair amount (not all but enough) of the labor force at my facility has an old school mentality. We have people making $17-$20/hr operating a file. They refuse to do anything else. Others operate 1 machine, and if you ask to operate 2 machines at same time they think they deserve double the money. To me while I am at work, the company owns my time. The Union mentallity for the most part is a bit confused. Most of the complex parts that come into our facility I am involved in pricing. A lot of times I don't quote, or will outsource (In US or Canada) purely for the fact I know the job will end up with a lazy person, and the company will lose money. I know for sure we can do it and make money.

2. US companies are slow to make changes in HOW to make parts. In manufacturing world it is and was common for a batching process. Run part A through machine 1, all XXX pieces. Then we go get forklift, move to machine 2, etc. This technique is full of waste. I have also been involved in implementing some Lean Manufacturing techniques and the payoff's are big if done right. Too often people fail at it, don't see the hurdles and give up with it.

The US can compete, people just need to think outside the box and be willing to make changes. We can produce stuff in the US using 1960 techniques and compete with people in other countries making $1 a day. Work smarter not harder US.

 

[salvageV6]

Lean Manufacturing he he

That's a Mexican earning $5 a day.

Anyone ever see a 1985 Porsche 944 with over a 100K on it still running.

Well one that didn't require the owners salary in repairs for about 5 years worth of work.

Carry on and NAFTA sucks.

Just found out I may qualify for a free masters degree in masters benefits. I guess I'd rather have my job however.

Wonder who's gonna pay for it? Doubt it's the Mexican govt.

And people made fun of Ross Perot....

 

[UNGN]

How many people complaining about NAFTA have DVD players or have bought a VCR in the last 5 years?

Pretty cool you can buy a VCR for $49 and spend the other $100 you would have spent on one for food or a car part.

If you have a job that can be done by a $5 a day mexican, maybe you should have studied a little more in school.

Please tell your kids to not be like you. I don't want to have to hear them bitch about their jobs being taken by Indians, peruvians, martians, robots, or fill in the blank.

Thanks for your support.

 

[salvageV6]

Don't own a DVD player and my VCR is over 5 years old. I can fix that myself.

My job didn't go to Mexico our whole factory did. They don't bother with things like engineering support they don't worry too much about quality down there....

They can't design and can barely produce what we made with decent quality without shutting down one of the big three.

Kids? LOL don't have them so they won't be like me, or you for that matter.

NAFTA was a big giant sucking sound and the little chicken farmer Perdue or Perot was dead on right. If he didn't mention that fifty cent gas tax he had planned he might have won.

It will take far too long for companies to realize the mistakes of NAFTA based labor. You can't go back.....

Service jobs will be going next. No reason for banking to be done here or insurance or finance when all that can be done globally at $5 a day.

I guess I'll take the free $$$ degree so I can become smerter.