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Keep the jobs here
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EDITOR:
One thing I don’t understand about this Cash for Clunkers deal is, why wasn’t there a clause that stated that you could only put these clunkers towards cars that are produced by Ford, GM, or Chrysler? If the Japanese, Koreans, Germans, etc. want this deal, let them kick in their own money and don’t rely on the American taxpayer to do so. I thought that we are trying to bring American car companies back from the brink. Well, this is not the way to do it.
In my opinion, I think that a tariff should be slapped on every foreign car dumped in this country. If the price of a Toyota Corolla was $30,000 compared to $16,000 or $17,000 for a Chevy Cobalt or Ford Focus, I think the American car buyer would think twice about buying a foreign car. It would mean more cars being produced, which adds up to more “jobs”.
Our problems are not only in the car business; it’s in every aspect of our lives. For instance, why in the world do we let all of these foreign countries eat our lunch when it comes to trade? A couple of things we can do to get some of our jobs back are to repeal NAFTA and get out of the WTO. We have to get back to controlling our own trade and not letting some tribunal sit back and tell us what we can do and can’t do when it comes to trade. Also, American companies that move their operations overseas or to Mexico should have a huge tariff tacked on to every product they try to send back to the United States. This would halt the job losses caused by these greedy moves.
Think about the future generations, step up and write or call your Congress people about repealing NAFTA and keeping jobs in America, because apparently they don’t seem to get it when it comes to keeping jobs on our soil.
BUD McKELVEY
Hermitage, Pa.
We believe in second chances
EDITOR:
The United States of America, since the Declaration of independence, the American Revolution, and the U.S. Constitution, has promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to every American citizen, regardless of race, creed, color, religion or sex. This has been the case for 233 years, through two World Wars and from our first president, George Washington, to now our 44th president, Barack Obama.
As a U.S. citizen, taxpayer, and voter, I believe, like all Americans, that America is a great country because it is a country of freedom, opportunity, redemption, forgiveness and second chances, especially once you have paid your debt to society and the American people, as Congressman Jim Traficant and NFL football player Michael Vick have.
The truth is Traficant and Vick have already paid their debts to our society by spending years in prison for their criminal activities.
In a country of second chances, they should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, just like all Americans have.
WILLIE JAMES RICHARDS
Youngstown
Comments
You can buy or trade in both domestic and foreign vehicles so not just the US made cars.
Jimhenry
Blogger
www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.info
Sounds like Bud needs to be paying attention to where these cars are made. The Corolla is made in a plant that was shared by Gm and Toyota. The Civic is made Indiana and the Accord in Marysville.
Most "foreign" branded manufacturers have been moving their production facilities here, which is good. Most of the American brands have been moving out of the country.
Toyota currently is working on moving production of the prius here. VW reportedly is also planning on producing here.
I have no idea what this man thinks is American if Chrysler is partially owned by Fiat and GM is partly owned by Canada.
I think foreign companies that invest in production facilities should be rewarded with our business because they understand that it is both good for them and us to produce here. They tend to introduce a car, built up its brand, and then move production here.
If anyone needs to be criticize it is GM for only making 1 vehicle (soon only the cruze) at the Lordstown plant and operating at 1 shift. Not only is that harming the valley, it also is hurting GM to have to ship parts around the world while their plants sit largely idle operating at very low utilization rates.
It's not the foreign companies that are hurting us, its the domestics that have turned their backs on manufacturing here.
Bud,
Jobs do not stay here because the motivating factor in business is to make money!! When other countries provide a less expensive workforce, good businesses are going to adapt. I am sure American companies would prefer to keep jobs in the US, but certain variables(union contracts, lower costs) force companies to outsource.
If Company A in Hermitage is charging you $30 to mow your lawn per week, but Company B from Youngstown is willing to provide the same service for $20, who are you going to choose? I am sure you would certainly love to continue using the hometown company, but it sure would be nice to have an extra $10 in your pocket each week!! The same principles apply to outsourcing jobs.
Unions were fantastic for their memberships when the United States was the only 'big dog' on the block of manufacturing. Developing countries realize there is a demand for inexpensive labor and they are capitalizing on it. Examples are India and China, whose population growth in recent years has exploded.
We have the advantage of living in a country with free markets, which allow our citizens to innovate. Instead of relying on government, we need to find new ways to decrease the cost of doing business and keep jobs in this country. Let's be honest, if the majority of folks working inside the beltway in DC were savvy business minds, they would be in that industry. To depend on 'Joe Congressman' to improve our economy is a ridiculous notion.
The bottom line in this debate is for the us to take a look in the mirror and realize we need to make some tough decisions. Does it mean motivating employees with a profit-sharing model? As the company grows and profits, so do the employees. I think this would provide an incentive for the workers to figure out ways to decrease costs and share them with management. Quality leaders are going to listen to the people who are on the front lines, and both sides will have skin in the game. This is one business model to keep jobs in the US, and provide citizens with quality paying careers.
I am all for buying US made products and services, but if there are less expensive alternatives in the marketplace, I would prefer to keep more of my money.
Regards,
PS
I agree with putting tariffs on imported goods. Not enough to choke out the imports but enough to make more American goods competitive.
I think there may be quite a few members of congress who would oppose such an idea because so much of their money is held by foreign producers.
I believe the Corolla is made in Freemont, California. So, Bud, the job does stay here if you buy that car.