I must protest

[BoBn]

my BIL was a little shocked when we all pulled out the weapons we had with us to compare.  he was a good sport.  we even got pics of him holding (unloaded) .45s. 

A good friend from The Republic of China (Taiwan) happened to be visiting us 3 years ago.  She had lots of pictures to send home to her family of Shu Ching (her) with earmuffs shooting clay pigeons, .38 special, muzzle loader, colt woodsman,etc.
In return, I learned much about traditional Chinese culture.


BTW, when we went shopping she saw same products "made in Taiwan".  She said "Oh Export".

She explained that it was always a mystery to many people in Taiwan about "Export".  There are many companies in Taipei (major seaport city) that make export products.  The people in Taiwan do not buy these.  They wonder who would buy these things.

   

 

[kathyp]

They wonder who would buy these things

there is an unintended consequence/benefit to exporting to the US.  i don't know how old you are, but do you remember that "made in Japan" used to mean the thing was a piece of crap?  the same has been true of things made in korea, taiwan, and china.  as those countries exported to the us and us customers complained about quality, the countries have found ways to improve product and keep prices down.  i'm sure that a large part of the motivation has been pride.  even when things were labeled "crap" we still bought them.  

now we look for electronics made in japan.  we know they will be good.  same thing (most of the time) with cars.  the KIA, which was a POS when it came here, is a good car.  we can expect the same adjustments from China.

what might happen if american companies were as concerned about customer and reputation instead of benefits and retirement?  i can not help but think that american products could be great again and affordable if they put the emphasis on what they turned out instead of job perks.

[cidersabuzzin]

what might happen if american companies were as concerned about customer and reputation instead of benefits and retirement?  i can not help but think that american products could be great again and affordable if they put the emphasis on what they turned out instead of job perks.

Will not happen! Until there is real mass unemployment to drive down wage rates and make manufacturing in the US viable on the world stage. Trouble is, revolution would be around the corner.

[buzzbee]

Higher wages are okay if quality and productivity increase. but just raising wages regardless is foolish.

[cidersabuzzin]

Higher wages are okay if quality and productivity increase. but just raising wages regardless is foolish.

just deleted it, found myself repeating what you said!
cider

[kathyp]

higher wages drive costs up.  consider the gold and silver rushes.  because the miners had more money, the merchants charged more for goods.  they controlled the supply and could charge what they wanted.  we have caused some  of the same nationally by imposing artificial min wages. 

it is not higher wage that raises standard of living.  it is quality and quantity of products, and constant inventions of new products.  that comes from productivity, not wage.  it would not matter if you earned more money and all you could do is buy a better horse.  unless it was gaited, there would be no real improvement in your life.