Buy American: What Does That Mean?

It is the Cost of Labor which is playing major role in importing the goods from other low Labor cost countries. Even in India China has closed down many factories mainly toy industry, chemicals, engineering goods.There is heavy subsidiaries paid by Govt, which also plays major role. You have to sacrifice quality in importing goods from cheaper sources.

Canadians have also given a lot of money to the big industries and have seen a large exodus of plants and jobs to other countries. We should have let them choke on their own mis-management...

That is why public money should not be used to support industries in any way. It encourages bad behaviors and keep the un-productive companies alive while better managed ones could have taken over their corpses.

If the trend continues, Americans (including me) will simply demand the best, but not really deserve it, and no one here will work for a living, we will vote ourselves a big, fat welfare check just like in Greece, and become the ultimate democracy - out of existence.

On the other hand, we have entitlement issues already, after all WE are Americans, and we demand more and better of everything without paying a premium price for it.

I think we should go ahead and export the corporate executives that are moving all the jobs overseas to exile on Patmos, or Elba. Maybe then they will listen.

I really hate bean counters. Did I mention I despise bean counters?

"I think we should go ahead and export the corporate executives that are moving all the jobs overseas to exile on..."

I am basically a free market philosophy guy. However, I do think there is a problem with jobs being exported. I completely understand that labor is relatively cheaper in many other countries (China, India, Vietnam, etc.). I have no problem with businesses wanting to take advantage of those lower labor rates. I've been torn as to what is the right thing to do about it in regards to what's best for our citizens.

Common economic belief is that bi-directional free trade is mutually beneficial for both countries and even uni-directional free trade (i.e. one country restricting the imports far less than it's trading partner does) beneficial to both . However, I think that theory is based on the countries acting as separate entities - by that I mean that businesses within those countries are within those countries. The way the global economy is structured now allows businesses to not be solely in one country. I'm fine with businesses moving to lower tax environments or low wage environments, but then they should fully move to those environments.

I guess what I'm saying is that corporations should not be international in the way they are now. They should have some loyalty to a single country. Well businesses are not individuals....they have no soul and thus we can't expect them to make moral decisions. Thus we, society, may need to have restrictions on corporations as a way to ensure businesses in our country are operating with the country's interests in mind.

I've often spoken out (on CR4 and other places) about the need for smaller footprint of government (the bigger the government, the smaller the individual), however, that doesn't mean there isn't a need for government on a federal level.

My view is not as much for the sake of jobs for Americans but from the point of view of national security. How much IP (intellectual property) have corporations allowed to leak out to other countries? I'm not suggesting it was intentional but perhaps through negligence. Yes, there is corporate espionage here within the borders of the USA, but how much easier would that be for a foreign country in their own back yard....supported possibly by their own government?

"But the irony of the whole Ford "Wrap ourselves in the flag while we really export your jobs" marketing is really the "driver" behind this post."

Would you please provide an example for this "Flag Wrapping"?

If I recall correctly, Ford did not receive a "Bailout" as other automakers did.

Ford does not use "Flag Wrapped" slogans such as "The heartbeat of America".

FYI, there is a difference between "Buy American" and "Buy America".

Be a cold day in hell before I ever buy another anything Ford.

I have a slightly different expectation of "made in america". In addition to being built here of mostly american made parts, I expect the profit money to stay here, too.

That would be great if it existed.