Obama: Buy American

[guyser]

I don't think anyone here wants to waste the time educating you. Do it yourself. .

Geez, we do it for you all the time! Why be a hater when you get the same, even right here in this thread!

Hello pot !

[Bonam]

Stuff gets assembled in the USA, no denying that, and yes there is some manufacturing still remianing in the USA, but compare that to 20-30 years ago. It definitely is a lot less than what the USA used to manufacture. Same here in Canada.

My 'Canadian' made Blackberry is ... made in Mexico.

I can barely find clothes made in Canada. Mostly the clothes are from, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, Malaysia.

Stuff gets made in Canada if its worth being made in Canada. A $10 T-shirt is not going to be made in Canada, because the #1 consideration there is cutting costs, so of course it will be done where the wages are lower. On the other hand, products that are produced to a higher standard but in a lower volume may be worth producing in Canada. For example, a $500 jacket is more likely to be made in Canada, because the #1 considerations there are quality and reputation, rather than cost. Different countries are better at different things. It is pointless for nations like Canada to try to compete with nations like China for cheap mass-manufacturing.

[Sir Bandelot]

It is pointless for nations like Canada to try to compete with nations like China for cheap mass-manufacturing.

Does not exactly the same apply to America?

[Bonam]

Does not exactly the same apply to America?

Of course.

[Sir Bandelot]

Ok then, Obama is full of crap.

Shall we move on?

[Topaz]

As it was pointed out on one of the political shows today, Harper won't rock the boat on "Buy America" until the pipeline is officially signed on the dotted line. Harper's government already gave away 1 Bil to the US forestry, so how much will he sacrifice for Alberta pipeline?

[Guest American Woman]

Haven't heard of anyone in Canada getting upset about it.

Evidently your government is.

Ottawa says it will fight Buy American measures

[bush_cheney2004]

Ok then, Obama is full of crap.

Shall we move on?

No...."perhaps" you still don't understand. Several posters here have implied that US manufacturing is waning or dead, when that is not the case. The Chicago Fed explains this very well:

Manufacturing

employment

as a share of total employment in the United States has been declining over the past 60 years. In 1950, nearly 31% of nonfarm workers were employed in manufacturing. Since then, the share has been dropping three or four percentage points per decade, falling to 28.4% in 1960, 25.1% in 1970, 20.7% in 1980, 16.2% in 1990, 13.1% in 2000, and 9.1% in 2009. Even with this downward trend in manufacturing’s share of jobs, employment in manufacturing has on average been fairly stable over the past 60 years, averaging a decline of –0.1% per year. In contrast, the growth of nonfarm employment averaged 1.9% per year, and this led to the reduction in manufacturing’s share of jobs.[2]

By 2006, the U.S. economy employed about as many workers in manufacturing as in 1950, just over 14 million. And so, looking at manufacturing employment alone leads one to believe that the sector is in decline or at best stagnant.

However, a very different conclusion emerges if you focus on the amount of goods being produced by the manufacturing sector. While employment has changed very little over the past 60 years,[3] output in manufacturing has increased at an annual rate of 3.4%. Manufacturing output in 2007 (the recent peak in manufacturing output) was over 600% higher than in 1950.

http://midwest.chicagofedblogs.org/archives/2010/08/bill_strauss_mf.html

US manufacturing alone is about the same as the entire GDP of Canada, with fewer workers, because of higher productivity. Obama is fighting an uphill battle because America can/has produced more with fewer and fewer workers, regardless of what happens in other nations with cheaper labor or lax environmental regulation.

[Sir Bandelot]

Evidently your government is.

Ottawa says it will fight Buy American measures

Posted today. Good luck with that, boys.

Actually it's a very informative article. Sounds to me like they will have to find common ground on many issues.

It also states something quite interesting that I wasn't aware of-

"In his talk at this week’s Canada-U.S. manufacturing summit in Montreal, Doer stressed that Canadian officials in the U.S. are taking the gloves off to drive home to American political leaders the importance of trade with Canada, which is the biggest export market for 34 of the 50 U.S. states. It works best when Canadian companies can bluntly show American legislators how much business and how many jobs in their districts are tied to export sales in Canada."

[Sir Bandelot]

US manufacturing alone is about the same as the entire GDP of Canada, with fewer workers, because of higher productivity. Obama is fighting an uphill battle because America can/has produced more with fewer and fewer workers, regardless of what happens in other nations with cheaper labor or lax environmental regulation.

Well, that's great but we're doing alright, Jack. I think we'll keep our less efficient system that seems to be doing far better weathering the economic "storm" that's affecting your country more severely.

What I read into it is, US companies milk their workers harder, paying out less in wages and pocketing more of the profits. But it seems to be to the detriment of working class. Hence less consumer spending. The US brand of capitalism has created its own problems.

Edited September 14, 2011 by Sir Bandelot

[bush_cheney2004]

Well, that's great but we're doing alright, Jack. I think we'll keep our less efficient system that seems to be doing far better weathering the economic "storm" that's affecting your country more severely.

It's not me complaining about the loss of Canadian (Ontario) manufacturing jobs (from their largely US based corporations). They don't seem to be as optimistic as you are. Sorry...Americans are not buying as many gas guzzling trucks from Oshawa anymore.

What I read into it is, US companies milk their workers harder, paying out less in wages and pocketing more of the profits. But it seems to be to the detriment of working class. Hence less consumer spending. The US brand of capitalism has created its own problems.

First you whine about too much US consumer spending...and when it declines because of shedding personal debt....you whine about not enough consumer spending. If your future is dependent on the US consumer does or doesn't do, you are already screwed.

Edited September 15, 2011 by bush_cheney2004

[Sir Bandelot]

First you whine about too much US consumer spending...and when it declines because of shedding personal debt....you whine about not enough consumer spending. If your future is dependent on the US consumer does or doesn't do, you are already screwed.

I don't "whine". I don't remember complaining that there was too much US consumer spending. But if I did, it would be because I personally don't like the purchase of too much junk. But that's just me. I know the economy as it works now depends on consumer confidence. That's the way the system works, like it or not.

It's not me complaining about the loss of Canadian (Ontario) manufacturing jobs (from their largely US based corporations). They don't seem to be as optimistic as you are. Sorry...Americans are not buying as many gas guzzling trucks from Oshawa anymore.

That's fine, industries must change with the times. Some will fail, and it means hard times fr those people involved. Like the people at NASA. But they will re-tool, get re-trained and make another product. That's normal.

On the whole our economy is doing well, among the top in the world right now which is surprising given the size of our country. But that doesn't happen by accident.

Simpy put, more people in the US need to care about their economy, ned to cooperate and make a few sacrifices. We did that in the 1990's when the PM told Canadians we would have to "tighten our belts" for a while, and he was right. It has paid off.

[bush_cheney2004]

...That's the way the system works, like it or not.

I like it either way....can get action in either direction.

That's fine, industries must change with the times. Some will fail, and it means hard times fr those people involved. Like the people at NASA. But they will re-tool, get re-trained and make another product. That's normal.

Not sure what you mean....NASA still has plenty to do. The global warming faithful here are counting on it.

On the whole our economy is doing well, among the top in the world right now which is surprising given the size of our country. But that doesn't happen by accident.

If you define pretty well as a negative GDP (last quarter), then you will always be pleased no matter what happens to your economy

Simpy put, more people in the US need to care about their economy, ned to cooperate and make a few sacrifices. We did that in the 1990's when the PM told Canadians we would have to "tighten our belts" for a while, and he was right. It has paid off.

Yea..that and huge capital investment by American and other foreign firms.

[Sir Bandelot]

Not sure what you mean....

NASA expects to undergo a big round of layoffs that will significantly reduce the shuttle workforce, which currently stands at about 6,700 people, said John Shannon, NASA's shuttle program officer.

If Atlantis launches on time on July 8, the agency will lay off about 3,200 contractors on July 22, officials said.

Cutbacks for all of NASA's prime contractors will continue through the middle of August, leaving less than 1,000 people to manage the process of conditioning and preparing the vehicles for their future homes on display at museums around the country, Shannon said.

Layoffs Loom for Space Workers

But don't despair, NASA has new plans in the works and will hopefully get back in the game again someday, providing jobs for Americans.

Yea..that and huge capital investment by American and other foreign firms.

Of course! Canada is in a great position financially and is attracting a lot of attention on the markets.

[bush_cheney2004]

NASA expects to undergo a big round of layoffs that will significantly reduce the shuttle workforce, which currently stands at about 6,700 people, said John Shannon, NASA's shuttle program officer.

The shuttle program is over....went on too long as it was. NASA still has an anual budget of nearly $19 billion.

Of course! Canada is in a great position financially and is attracting a lot of attention on the markets.

No....Chretien sold your asses to the highest bidder.

[Sir Bandelot]

The shuttle program is over....went on too long as it was. NASA still has an anual budget of nearly $19 billion.

There is a certain space station that would disagree. The shuttle was getting the job done. Meanwhile, there is nothing to replace it except for unreliable Russian rockets that have a tendency to explode. I hope the folks on the ISS packed some extra underwear. There's even talk of abandoning it completely for a while, if they can't get reliable service within a certain time frame.

If NASA has got so much money, why didn't they build the new design shuttle to replace it? Or even just make another one of the current design. Because they just don't have the money to do it. Economics trumps virtue, it is your nations swan song.

Today they talked about a new rocket that can be used to fly people to Mars. But it's just a drawing on a piece of paper!

NASA hopes to free up money for the rocket by turning over the launching of astronauts to the International Space Station, which orbits the Earth, to private companies and just rent spaces for astronauts like a giant taxi service. NASA officials aren’t sure how much they’ll save because it depends on how much the firms will charge and when they will start flying.

Link

Not sure what's more dependable, derelict Russian rockets or the pipe dreams of bureaucrats.

[Sir Bandelot]

No....Chretien sold your asses to the highest bidder.

Canada is in it's current position thanks to the work of finance minister Paul Martin.

[bush_cheney2004]

Canada is in it's current position thanks to the work of finance minister Paul Martin.

No doubt the same reason why so many Canadian contractors were in Libya!

[bush_cheney2004]

Today they talked about a new rocket that can be used to fly people to Mars. But it's just a drawing on a piece of paper!

How many manned rockets has Canada built and launched?

[Sir Bandelot]

How many manned rockets has Canada built and launched?

Canada has a very active space program.

"Canada's experience in space began in 1962, with the launching of the Alouette 1 research satellite. Canada was the third country in the world after Russia and the United States to design and build its own satellite."

Alouette, gentille Alouette

Alouette, je te plumerai...

Edited September 15, 2011 by Sir Bandelot

[Guest American Woman]

How many manned rockets has Canada built and launched?

I saw a manned launching of the Columbia - courtesy of the U.S. Air Force, Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida. What an awesome experience! And because we were on the base, everything was being broadcast through speakers so we heard everything that was going on. Quite the unforgettable experience.

[bush_cheney2004]

I saw a manned launching of the Columbia - courtesy of the U.S. Air Force, Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida. What an awesome experience! And because we were on the base, everything was being broadcast through speakers so we heard everything that was going on. Quite the unforgettable experience.

Yes...it is an amazing site and sound. Even Canadians come down to watch, except for those who think NASA is doomed.

[bush_cheney2004]

Canada has a very active space program.

Do you know what a man rated program is? Do you know where Canada's best aero engineers went after the AVRO Arrow fiasco? Don't worry about NASA....the US will still give Canada satellite weather data that you can't/won't provide for yourself.

[Sir Bandelot]

The Canadarm was great on that thing. Some of the most important work was done with it. Seeing the Canadian flag emblem on it, so high up in space, always made our little nation feel proud.

They even made a double-jointed one. It was really good, and that's why America bought it...

Edited September 15, 2011 by Sir Bandelot

[bush_cheney2004]

The Canadarm was great on that thing. Some of the most important work was done with it. Seeing the Canadian flag emblem on it, so high up in space, always made our little nation feel proud.

Yea..I wonder how it got there...you know...way up in space.