Originally Posted by
mstateglfr
I dont know why there are not more price competitive options coming from Honduras or Uganda. My initial guess is because the infrastructure doent exist in either country right now, but thats a total guess. For Taiwan, I am guessing it would be price prohibitive.
So since you know the answer, do tell.
For one, there isn't any infrastructure, so that part, yes. But the other part is that China has made deals with these companies to bring manufacturing over there. But it's a "deal with the devil" kind of thing. They get ownership of the plants, they have access to the technology and there is virtually no protection for the manufacturers. And companies are doing this because China is funding a lot of the costs to relocate and ramp up on the front end, knowing full well they reap the benefits on the back end. Not only do they gain the manufacturing and technology infrastructure they could never build on their own, but they've weakened our ability to compete in the global market and as a global power at the same time. What a deal! If I could strengthen my position and weaken my enemy at the same time, you bet your butt I would do the exact same thing. I don't even fault the ChiComs for doing what they're doing. It's the nature of things. Mosquitoes bite, bees sting, communists steal. But I don't have to be a willing participant in it.
Originally Posted by
chaadster
Federal minimum wage went to $3.35/hr in 1981, so…you’re, like, a 55 year old, unemployed college student? That takes courage. Kudos.
OK, maybe I was off. It's been a while. Maybe it was $3.65/hr. And I'm not 55... yet. But I am on the wrong side of 50. And unemployed college student = second career.
Originally Posted by
wolfchild
You buy a helmet made in Italy online through some European website, you're not supporting your local USA business, .... When you buy a helmet made in China sold through your local LBS at least you're supporting your local business here in North America.
I would support my LBS when I have the opportunity. I currently live in a small community that has no LBS, although when I go into Vegas I try to shop local when I can. But it doesn't change the fact that money I spend on products made in China help them fund their aggression towards their neighbors, steal our technology and corner manufacturing.
Originally Posted by
drlogik
True, but the profits go to China. Given the choice of profits going to China or Italy, I'll choose Italy. I bought my Kask helmet from a small local shop that I've been going to for over 30 years.
Same here. I totally get these high end products offered by German and Italian manufacturers, but why can they not also have a budget line?
Originally Posted by
Rolla
I'll try to clarify this for you:
- Immutable means non-changeable.
- You replied to VegasJen , "you will act on your principles as long as it's not too expensive...Which means that they are not really principles."
- So by your reasoning, because VegasJen can't afford to buy a U.S. helmet, he/she doesn't really hold the principle of buying American products, because according to you, introducing a condition or an exception to a principle changes it to something other than a principle.
- This suggests that in order to remain a principle, that principle must be unchangeable, or immutable.
- This is absurd.
- Just as with a rule or a law, just because they may contain conditions and/or exceptions doesn't change them to something else, or negate them. They still remain principles (or rules, or laws) regardless, and their practitioner still possesses that principle.
Carry on as I'm sure you will, but I'm all done here.
"she", and thank you.
As for trade, I am all for trading with other nations that are fair trading partners. The Chinese have proven themselves time and again to not only be unfair trading partners, but have malevolent intent for us and their neighbors. But make no mistake, I hold no ill will against the Chinese people. They are as much victims here as anybody. It's all about the CCP and their political-military complex. (Ya, I remember Tiennamin Square)