North Pole Outsourced
My favorite illustrator, John Cox, came up with this illustration that echoes, I think, public sentiment. Many believe we are abandoning our nation’s manufacturing roots in favor of becoming a country that makes nothing and buys everything from abroad but likes to think we’ll be dominant in the development of technology (with any related manufacturing, of course, being outsourced offshore.) Whew! Long sentence!
I think we’re deluding ourselves. We could regain our dominance in manufacturer if we simply uncoupled ourselves from trade unions. Why can’t we compete in auto manufacturing, even against Japanese auto makers who manufacture cars right here in the U.S.A.? Because the Japanese car makers are exempt from our trade unions. Not a level playing field, is it. But what are we doing about it? Nothing.
Anyway, I thought John’s illustration was particularly poignant at this time of year when we’re concerned about unsafe toys from China. Fisher-Price, Mattel - many of this country’s major toy manufacturers - have outsourced the manufacturing of their toys to China, and quality and safety have suffered. Not too many years ago, Americans wouldn’t have accepted poor quality. But we’ve become “sheeple,” too lazy to control our own government. I hope we come to our senses.
Doug
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Reader Comments (6)
Are we in a grumpy mood today?
No. Well, maybe a little. It's just that the concepts of trade unions and "buying from the lowest bidder" are incongruent and the dichotomy between the two occasionally gets under my skin.
But hey, I'm in the Christmas spirit and feeling good about having completed most of our shopping. We'll wrap up the stragglers this afternoon and (yuk!) Saturday, and then I'll be a happy camper.
Doug
Well said, Doug. Too many big words but well said. Our government advocates a "world economy" but it seems to me we are becoming victims of our own doing.
Good that you are "in the Christmas spirit". Now get after those "stragglers", then sit back with a nice cigar and a glass of fine wine and relish in holiday cheer.
Btw, I like the idea of "buying American"!
Kind of looks like you only without a beard :D
And I agree completely. We can't let our "officials" tell us this is all too complicated for us mere "citizens" and that they know best. They are selling our country down the river because they don't want to ruffle the status quo.
You know, I am a union member and supporter, but I am beginning to see your point. The days when we needed unions are over and now they are just businesses trying to make the rank and file believe they are offering value for our dues.
And outsourcing is a product of that. The unions tell us that we need to push to stop outsourcing but it is the unions that have forvd business to go that way to make a profit. I don't know the fix, but maybe if people just quit joining unions, and those who are members quit, maybe things could level out.