Marvin brings up another point that I didn't think to mention regarding the auto industry that also applies to many other American manufacturers and their products, viability, and economic health.
When faced with the obvious need to produce smaller, more efficient cars, American auto manufacturers often (maybe usually) just outsourced the manufacturing to another foreign manufacturer.
Why invest the $$$ in the design, tooling, and assembly line construction for a new vehicle when you can simply enter into a contract with an existing foreign manufacturer who makes a product on which you can simply change a few pieces of chrome on, put your own trademarks/logos on, and sell as a Chevy, Ford, or Chrysler product?
Nevermind what it does to the American workforce, but, as Marty adroitly points out, a myriad of factors complicate the decision of whether to import a Mazda with a Dodge badge on it, or have to build a new vehicle here in the USA with all the labor laws and countless other considerations.
Sooner or later, however, most consumers caught on to the scheme and just bought the foreign car itself, instead of the one wearing the "Buy-American" t-shirt on the outside. Remember the auto dealers with rows of American flags waving overhead?
This whole scenario was preceded by just about the same series of events in the electronics industry, as American TV, stereo, and other electronics manufacturers shut down their American factories and had everything built overseas: first in Japan, then Korea, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Mexico, etc.
Some folks on this site have found the discussions we're having about the Stock Market, Oh Oh (economic developments), and the like unnecessarily depressing and a distraction, but I'm convinced that the events that are happening are leading to a major economic reorganization world-wide, that Americans are going to have to look at their position in the world much differently in terms of economics, politics and militarily, and their pocketbooks and lifestyles are going to have to adjust accordingly.
And I don't want to walk into it blindly, or lead by some self-interested businessman telling me to by whatever he happens to have to sell for his profit.
I happen to believe we've got a a very talented group of people in our extended family here, and I'm anxious to hear from and discuss other folks views on just where we're going. And I'd rather talk it over with a group of mutually interested friends than an investment banker, stock broker, security salesman, or anyone else who is out to use my hard worked for and accumulated investments as a tool to earn commissions for his or her own gain. That's why I asked Bill all those questions above for openers. I trust him and his judgement more than anyone else I know on these matters.
I'm going to Eagle Lake today for a week of trout fishing, but will be back next Saturday evening. Enjoy discussing this topic regardless of which thread it comes up or continues under. It's a far better use of our time than trying to convince each other to vote for one or the other Presidential candidate, which mostly just becomes divisive and changes no on else's mind, anyway. And, on the upside, hopefully, Mike won't have to edit out any of the off the wall parts of the discussion, either!
Joe. :teeth :thup
