NEPA seems to suffer from self esteem issues? WHY? (Republic: universities, wage)

[FlyerNation]

Originally Posted by johnqpublic

The one HUGE gripe I have is the number of people here who complain about it, but arent registered to vote and dont exercise that right!!

Exercise the right to vote for one of two pre-chosen candidates by the two must corrupt political cabals on the planet?

LMFAO. What a right we have to exercise as free citizens of a so-called free society.

[fisheye]

I think that some of our problems are actually national problems. We don’t make anything anymore. Everything is outsourced or goes to the lowest bidder. We are selling all of our natural resources. Many of the jobs available are fluff jobs (entertainment, gambling, sports, etc.) - we really don’t need them to survive. Our politicians seem to favor their own necks. Unions fought for many years for higher pay, better working conditions and safer working environments - because of the economy; they are ineffectual.

This paints a bleak future - we are replaceable.

We need direction and I don’t see any coming.

[johnqpublic]

there are 3rd partys, and also the write in vote.. you have no right to complain if you dont participate.

Originally Posted by FlyerNation

Exercise the right to vote for one of two pre-chosen candidates by the two must corrupt political cabals on the planet?

LMFAO. What a right we have to exercise as free citizens of a so-called free society.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by fisheye

Everything is outsourced or goes to the lowest bidder..

Business's need to do this or they perish, simple as that. Here's the reality of what business's face in this country.

I'm acquainted with the former owner of a small local manufacturing business that makes coal stokers employing a few people in some decent paying skilled jobs. He was approached by a Chinese manufacturer about making his product, they would ship the product here directly to his dealers in a box ready to sell cheaper than he could make them for. He could have sat in a lazy boy and spent a few hours each day running his business, made more sales because of the decreased costs with very little hassles to collect a big check. To his credit he didn't take the offer and has since sold it two other gentleman that have the same ethics as him.

He was able to refuse this only because he's in a niche market competing against other companies in this country laboring under the same laws and regulations as him. Whether that remains that way is another story, if one of those competitors takes that offer or a Chinese manufacture moves directly into the market and starts to significantly undercut their sales cost what do they do then?

[johnqpublic]

Repeal / re write NAFTA, impose higher tariffs, Close tax loopholes such as the double irish.. Theres actually quite a lot that can be done, but nobody elected has the huevos to do it.

[johnqpublic]

The Double Irish
U.S. Companies Dodge $60 Billion in Taxes With Global Odyssey - Bloomberg

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

Business's need to do this or they perish, simple as that. Here's the reality of what business's face in this country.

I'm acquainted with the former owner of a small local manufacturing business that makes coal stokers employing a few people in some decent paying skilled jobs. He was approached by a Chinese manufacturer about making his product, they would ship the product here directly to his dealers in a box ready to sell cheaper than he could make them for. He could have sat in a lazy boy and spent a few hours each day running his business, made more sales because of the decreased costs with very little hassles to collect a big check. To his credit he didn't take the offer and has since sold it two other gentleman that have the same ethics as him.

He was able to refuse this only because he's in a niche market competing against other companies in this country laboring under the same laws and regulations as him. Whether that remains that way is another story, if one of those competitors takes that offer or a Chinese manufacture moves directly into the market and starts to significantly undercut their sales cost what do they do then?

thecoalman,

Your (your friend's) stoker company has to be admired. You can say the same about companies that have had successful employee takeovers. However; they are few and far between.

Old Henry Ford had the idea of paying his employees enough money so they could buy his products. I think that is what made America great - we could all share the wealth. Illegal immigration and outsourcing are destroying the life that we cherished.

Even computers have played a role: Years ago truckers moved loads to the east coast and had to return empty - they could not find the freight. Then computers came along and everybody was originally happy - no more empty miles. Unfortunately; they were a blessing and a curse - competition drove the prices so low that the truckers would have been better off empty.

These are national issues - but they directly affect our area (our jobs and the quality of life and self esteem). I still think that we need the direction or a leader that we can look up to and say - that’s smart!

[varmintblaster]

Coalman - I wonder if the Chinese stoves would be built with the same quality materials as those made with US Steel.

Darn shame that the biggest selling point today for most folks is the lowest price.

I am not endorsing complete protectionism for the US markets (too late anyway - the floodgates are wide open) but this global economy may very well be the death-blow to the US economy - especially when our companies are forced to compete with foreign entities that are not required to abide by the same regulations - fair wage, EP regs, OSHA, etc...

[weluvpa]

Personally I don't think we have any self-esteem issues at all in NEPA.

WE ARE JUST NOT LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU MOVED HERE TO GET AWAY FROM.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by varmintblaster

Coalman - I wonder if the Chinese stoves would be built with the same quality materials as those made with US Steel.

They would have been built to the same specs, have no illusions they can't make quality products. The reason most Chinese products are cheap junk is because that is what the US consumer purchases.

You can get Harman pellet stoves for $2 or $3k or buy a Chinese made one at Lowes for $800. Which one do you think most consumers are going to buy? The difference between the two is you only buy the Harman once. There's so many examples of this, lawnmowers is another one. They buy the hundred dollar model at Wally world and then buy another one 5 to 10 years and keep repeating that process instead of buying a $500 one once.

American consumers want a cheap product and they think they are getting a deal when they buy cheap, long term it cost you more.