Thread: Crane Cams shuts down, workers laid off

Tweet

Back to what Don and others have said, it has become the norm in this country to outsource labor and goods. 50 years ago it would have been a bit wierd to go to any super market anywhere, and find fresh fruit out of season, or produce. The big three were recovering from ww2 and rolling out cars that went around the world.
What has changed is competition. We now pursue money in different ways. Members here with their own buisnesses have spoken to competing in industries where competetors copy your product and mass produce it in foreign countries where labor and materials cost less. This drives the mom and pop buisnesses out, and makes any survivors outsource to compete too.
Companies like Wallmart (and yes I have shopped there too) take this to an extreme! What they sell that is made in USA, they sell with such a little profit margin, that smaller stores can't compete. They also sell tons of Chinese stuff. People on fixed incomes can't afford to keep up with the Jones by buying this stuff. They can feed their families imported food, for less. This further drives the local buisnesses out of buisness. It is self perpetuating. This economic crisis had to happen. Bob and Dave are right, it's not just the last 8 years, it's been an on going problem.
What also has changed is a sense of loyalty and moral fortitude. We have really tanked in this area. I read an article in the paper by a highschool freshman. He wrote an editorial letter stating how discouraging it is to look at the California college systems raising their fees, and cutting back enrollment. He felt the colleges should offer more scholarships and cutback tuition costs.
What's wrong here! What ever happened to student loans and getting a job. What ever happened to go part time and work! I'm tired of people whinning that everyone else is at fault, for their woes! It is the prevalent talk of the day. "I want more!" "I deserve it." "It wasn't my fault." People are furious at the government for letting corperations take them to the cleaners when they should be mad at themselves for not taking any responsibility!
Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 is BullS#*$T!
I know a wealthy guy across town filing bankrupcy for the second time. No big deal, he even gets to keep his house, loses all his credit card debt, and keeps his new fullsize SUV.
Responsibility starts with us. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. If your 401k is tanking move your money! The people I truely feel sorry for are the workers who have been loyal to their companies who are close to retirement or retired and lost their pensions! Where do they go? Who hires them? How do they pay for health care.
Let's face it folks we've created a messed up society following politicians of both parties. If you cross the border illegally, you've got better health care than, those who are legal citizens and are insured! Hell we'll hire interpreters so you don't have to learn the language. We'll educate your kids for free, give them meals at school, and let them bleed the school systems from teaching the tax paying families' kids, further ruining our public education system. We allowed this, we need to take responsibility. We need to demand higher standards from ourselves! Every choice we make, directs our future. It's not simple, but an economic crisis is what it is going to take to reevaluate our lifestyles. In the mean time whole generations will suffer!