Originally posted by DanB:
Have any of you guys actually worked in industry?
Are you aware of the many obstacles that US companies face such as OSHA, EPA and other federal and state regs that are non-existent in most third world countries? Not that these are totally bad, but they represent financial burdens that most foreign factories do not have to deal with. Does that Mexican autoworker get 2 weeks paid vacation, good health insurance and a savings and pension plan? How about liability insurance and litigation costs? Got a complaint about a product in China and you probably be sent to the labor camp.
The bottom line? The playing ground is far from level for US based companies.
Ok,
So we have problems. However,
WE created these problems. The very people of this nation elected officials that choose to place these "constraints" on our businesses.
So if we cannot compete, we have to take much of the blame ourselves.
It is easy to sit and blame others for difficulty in entering other markets.
It is harder to say, hey didn't we do a lot of this to ourselves?
I don't like the idea that other nations protect their industries with tarrifs. On that part I agree with you.
However, the solution is not for us to close our doors, but to convince others that free and open trade is in the best interest for all involved.
TB
Qualifications: I got A's in all the econ courses I took in college
