Re: Re: not really sure it would help that much
c7sus said:
Do you honestly believe all the manufacturing facilities were set up in SE Asia for 4 cents on the dollar?
You are talking out your ass.
"The rest supports the US economy."
Stupidest comment I have ever read in my life.
Listen to something besides Rush and Ollie North.
actually i dont really get my info from rush or ollie north.
speaking of china a great deal of the manufacturing facilities were set up under the strictly communist govt, and have been retrofitted mostly with party dollars. when US companies have their products manufactured in china the money gets tied into an incredibly complex system that defies any sort of analysis. certainly doesnt end up in many workers hands though.
as for the rest of SE asia, the start up costs for the manufacturing facilities were relatively low, but you are right, perhaps my estimate was off in that it didnt take this into account. but it really doesnt represent very much money. maybe a few more cents on the dollar.
i think the larger problem is that the money that is being aquired by US corporations that have overseas manufacturing facilities is going to a relatively small number of people who live in, say beavertown OR (as well as rich shareholders) as opposed to being dispersed more equally by supporting the US manufacturing sector as well as the corporate sector. it is not that our money is being sent overseas. it is being sent to rich people.
in my view the best advice for a consumer is to try to buy all new products from local companies, who manufacture their goods locally. and try to cut out as many middle men as possible. if you can buy your clothing from the person who sewed it, you are doing a great service to economic health (in terms supporting fair wages and good work conditions). so dont buy from OLD NAVY.
otherwise buy your products on the used market. great for the environment as well as the economy. ($15 vintage shirt money generally goes straight to the person who hunted it down and sold it to you, if it was headed for the landfill you can say that the manufacturing costs to the environment for the shirt is negative)
as for music gear... most of it is tied to the world market. your money will end up in dirty hands. buy used. or how about making your own gear? or buy from people like say.
http://www.seventhcirclestudios.com/N72/N72
designed and built by hand in US all by the same person. you give him $800 for his preamp and he personally walks away with most of the money ($200 or so in parts cost)
god, and never buy a new diamond that passed through antwerp unless you know what "do you want short sleve or long sleve" means to someone who lives near the diamond mines of sierra leone.