This country's move into big-time debt exports began with the big-time government deficits of the early 1980s--which had to be financed by somebody. "The Reagan Revolution was essentially an experiment in seeing how much money America could borrow from overseas," says Murphy, who at the time was an investment banker in Tokyo. The answer was lots.

This ties in to my observation of some weeks ago.

I said, I can't see a single made-in-America product anywhere anymore. And neither can many people in other Asian countries (I had asked around).

Made-in-China is everywhere.

Some American took offense to what I said... too bad. You can't change the fact that America is becoming irrelevant.

Or rather, relevant... but only as a nuisance for the world.

America's No. 1 Export

That's easy -- it's our tax dollars.

They go everywhere else but here at home to help us in our own country.

"I can't see a single made-in-America product anywhere anymore."

Here ya go.

And what is that?

I don't drink.... though I am proud of the lager that Pakistan makes and exports.

I said, I can't see a single made-in-America product anywhere anymore.

You are correct, Tosser

Bush has single-handedly help to destroy America's entire manufacturing base. He pushed for globalism and unlimited free trade deals allowing corporations to go overseas and use slave labor for manufacturing in order to gain obscene profits for the corporate CEOs. Meanwhile it cost Americans more than 4 million jobs here at home and because of stinking one-sided free trade deals we now have the largest trade deficit under Bush than we had with ALL previous Presidents combined.

We make almost nothing here anymore. "Made in the USA" used to be a label of pride. Bush and the free traders who worship him have now made sure that label appears on nothing anymore.

Just add it in as one more thing to add to the Bush legacy of how and the Republicans these last eight years have helped destroy our once might nation.

And what is that?

That is a bottle of "Makers Mark" -- Zat's favorite brand of booze. lol

The picture was taken on Zat's back porch in Texas.

"The picture was taken on Zat's back porch in Texas."

Posted by CalifChris

Actually that's from the pool gazebo.

This is from the back porch.

ZAT

Is that chopper doing a 'Twinkie Drop' to lower killings?

'Twinkie Drop'

Another shot from my back porch.

Foggy dawn ...

There are still lots of american made items. They are the top-shelf kind of things. high-quality, very high priced. harleys, for example, caterpillar, for another.

One reason I like Obama is that he wants to refocus some of our manufacturing back in this country.

After he gets elected, we need to focus our attention on him and force his admin to close the tax loopholes that allowed our manufacturers to export jobs.

Zat-the photo in #10 above

YIKES!

Frankf55

Controlled burn.

Nice job!

Thanks

Ummmmm the Democrats didn't get the majoity unti January 09 2007. Oh and You really can not say they hold the majority in the Senate. Please do try again.

Larry

One of the best things still made in America that anyone could buy and use is a pair of Red Wing boots or shoes. Gold Toe socks, made in North Carolina, the best there is, available at JC Penney. Still a lot of excellent guns, knives, and ammunition made in USA (roll eyes). Scott tissue. Kleenex. All other kinds of paper. A great deal of the medical supplies and equipment used in America are made in USA. Books and magazines. Newspapers. I admit it is not easy to think of stuff still made in USA besides the high-end products.

Why is the economy tanking the democrats have been in charge of congress since 2006?

#21 | Posted by obamacrackshack

This guy is trying to take the title of 'the dumbest person in america away from takeashitski.

Larry, actually democrats do have the majority in the senate!

With the brainpan injury and Lieberman it effectively works out to be a 50/50 split you maroon.

Be Well.

49 Democrats
49 Republicans
2 Independents.

#13 | Posted by Lipzoidial

"There are still lots of american made items. They are the top-shelf kind of things. high-quality, very high priced. harleys..."

Perhaps more assembled in the US than manufactured. How many of the parts that comprise an HD are made in the US? Once in a while I take stroll though the Harley stores and look at parts and manufacturing labels. Far too may are stamped Made in China or Hecho en Mexico.

"One reason I like Obama is that he wants to refocus some of our manufacturing back in this country.

After he gets elected, we need to focus our attention on him and force his admin to close the tax loopholes that allowed our manufacturers to export jobs."

Okay... What sort of products and/or jobs are you talking about here? Manufacturing of what? Be specific.

While everybody likes to bleat about China, it is Japan that holds a larger share of US Treasury securities, followed by China, the UK, a consortium of oil export nations, Brazil (??!!!), and a consortium of Caribbean banks.

Source:

The world's biggest debtor nation also runs a trade deficit that was called unsupportable 10 years ago.

The chickens are coming home to roost and partisan blame may make you feel better but there are a lot of guilty parties here.

Citigroup to buy Wachovia banking operations

Citigroup will absorb up to $42 billion of losses in the deal, with the FDIC covering any remaining losses, the government agency said Monday. Citigroup also will grant the FDIC $12 billion in preferred stock and warrants.

.....we're number one.....we're number one.....

......or more accurately......

......were number one.......

Okay... What sort of products and/or jobs are you talking about here? Manufacturing of what? Be specific.

#29 | Posted by ZOT

Yes, manufacturing. Making the products we use here.

And the imports from other countries should carry whatever taxes, tariff, whatever, the same that that country charges us when the products are going the other way.

Since the US cares about human rights and fairness, and that costs extra money, every product coming from a country that doesn't should have a 100% tax. Then all that money goes to pay the treasury notes off.

"Bush has single-handedly help to destroy America's entire manufacturing base. He pushed for globalism and unlimited free trade deals allowing corporations to go overseas and use slave labor for manufacturing in order to gain obscene profits for the corporate CEOs." #6 | Posted by CalifChris

Single handedly ????

"Speculation about Obama, Clinton attending Bilderberger meeting"

Did you actually read the article? The author suggests they MIGHT have attended a Bilderberg event because...get this...they met, and WorldNutDaily didn't know where they met, so they concluded it was Bilderburg!

The article even goes on to say--
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told Fox News the two candidates met at her house in Washington. Feinstein said she was working upstairs while Clinton and Obama sat by her fireplace.

So the author flings a theory then admits it's wrong.

"You can't change the fact that America is becoming irrelevant."

If you were the product of a better educational system, you would know how absurd you are being.

Easy to have this chicken-or-egg argument, depending on which side of the thesis you care to support.

Yes, America is the world's number one importer. We're also the number one exporter. When foreign capital comes into the US, it's because they consider the United States the best investment for THEM. And why shouldn't this be true? What are the alternatives? China?--down 40%. Russia?--down 50%. The dollar and Treasuries rally suggests that much of the scared money from overseas is coming back here, just as in times past.

And that means that Americans must use this capital to send overseas. That's the way the Balance-of-payments equation works. For every $50 billion pulled out of Russia or China to buy t-bills, Americans must spend $50 billion on overseas stocks, or bonds, or products--oil, cars, stereos, TV's. I've always said it's better to run a trade deficit than a capital accounts deficit. And as bad as it is here in the United States' markets, they're getting absolutely annihilated overseas.

Count your blessings, wherever you can find them. Foreign investors are rational, too. And they're sending everything they can our way, and outta there.

How did anyone ever think these economic policies or strategies would remain relevant in the mid to long term? It's like committing suicide for christ's sake.

Borrowed money = borrowed time.

This ties in to my observation of some weeks ago.

I said, I can't see a single made-in-America product anywhere anymore. And neither can many people in other Asian countries (I had asked around).

* * * *

Then that means the people you're asking are as stupid as you are. If memory serves, you're in the Middle East. I advise you to get in your car--assuming you have one; or a healthy camel will do--and visit some of the thousands of oil fields that dot your landscape. You'll find drill bits, generators, power equipment, steel, imagery technology, and hundreds of millions of spare parts all with a "Made In The USA" logo, along with thousands of Americans working with Haliburton, Schlumberger, as well as all the major integrateds. Then you can visit your city centers, where you'll find American banks, American restaurants, and American car dealerships. Is it possible you live in a corner of the world that doesn't have Coke or Pepsi? Or Playtex or diapers or medicines or cough drops or styrofoam coolers or John Deere or any of the products of thousands of US companies, operating in every nook and cranny on planet Earth? For that matter, who built the microprocessor that powers the computer you're using?

Try again.

"Yes, manufacturing. Making the products we use here.

And the imports from other countries should carry whatever taxes, tariff, whatever, the same that that country charges us when the products are going the other way.

Since the US cares about human rights and fairness, and that costs extra money, every product coming from a country that doesn't should have a 100% tax. Then all that money goes to pay the treasury notes off."

#35 | Posted by Lipzoidial

I asked you to be specific for a reason.

What products are you willing to pay much more for?

- Shoes?

- Shirts?

- Pants?

- Various replacement car parts such as tires, alternators, fuel pumps, etc.?

- Electronics? Audio/video equipment (home, car, portable), computer equipment, personal comm (cell phones of infinite variety and cost), etc.?

Nationalism goes only as far as the contents of one's bank account.

Buying Made in US of A is all very feel good and patriotic... until the consumer is paying 3, 5, 10 times the price for the same thing brought in from overseas.

What x factor are you willing to pay?

Then that means the people you're asking are as stupid as you are. If memory serves, you're in the Middle East.

I'm not from the Middle East, son.

That makes you stupid right off the bat since you can't even get the basic stuff right. LOL

You'll find drill bits, generators, power equipment, steel, imagery technology, and hundreds of millions of spare parts all with a "Made In The USA" logo

Not here. All either made-in-Pakistan, China or Japan.

Is it possible you live in a corner of the world that doesn't have Coke or Pepsi?

Is it possible you live in a corner of the world that doesn't have Pakola? LOL

For that matter, who built the microprocessor that powers the computer you're using?

China.

If you were the product of a better educational system

Oh Silly-Sully... you know how much better educated I am compared to yourself at least. Every time you make some stupid assertion, I have to end up correcting you.

I am sure America still makes lots of stuff.

But it has stopped exporting much of it.

And this is only the start of a long downward slope.

I went looking for a multi-tool a few days ago... went to a gun shop and did find many Swiss models (not American).

I thought WTF, and got a Chinese multi-tool from the hardware store for less than a quarter of the cost. Fine and tough.

Even European stuff can't go up against China when it comes to price.

What hope have you?

"you know how much better educated I am compared to yourself at least"

Please. You don't even know what is going on in Pakistan, let alone anywhere else. Why don't you tell us all again how Mushie's grip on power is safe? LOL.

Why don't you tell us all again how Mushie's grip on power is safe?

So I was wrong once about one of the most slippery people to walk the Earth... sue me.

One only has to step out of the US and see how much American stuff is out there.

Almost none, these days.

Don't believe me..?... have a look at your own stores and see how much made-in-China has replaced made-in-America. No contest. It is like a thousand times worse for you outside the US.

America has retreated into a shell like a turtle. And you guys don't even realize it.

Tosser - I know our manufacturing stinks and its a big problem. It just doesn't mean the US isn't still a major power in the world. I actually wish we'd mind our own business alot more than we do.

Your love of China is misplaced at best. They don't treat their Muslims very well. And that government is scared shitless of its own people - which is why it has such tight controls over them. They are terrified that their people will learn what is going on in the rest of world and what they are missing out on... They are one of the most powerful countries in the world but they can never be leaders unless they make some fundamental changes. Their current model (rich China/poor Chinese)necessitates isolationism.

Interesting how "made in China" is fast becoming synonomous with "made to fail". But I guess that just shows that you get what you pay for.

They don't treat their Muslims very well.

These days, a Chinese Muslim has more rights in China than the Han do.

They are one of the most powerful countries in the world but they can never be leaders unless they make some fundamental changes.

Believe me when I say this... they don't want to be "no.1". They don't want to be leader of the world. America wants to be leader of the world... let it be. Let America deal with the headaches that go with being No.1.

1.China wants respect.
2.China wants their renegade province back.. Taiwan.
3.China wants to be rich.

This is how they think.

"3.China wants to be rich."

But they don't want their people to be rich. And that is their problem. Sooner of later the regular Chinese people are going to figure out that they are poor in a rich country. And that is going to piss them off.

I know that there is a cultural difference here and that they are more go with the flow but nobody wants to be exploited.

nobody wants to be exploited.

Do you know, they give you free electricity in some parts of China?

That's being exploited? LOL

My friend does tons of business with China (electronic parts and chips). He bought a house in China and lives there for a few months every year. Saves on hotel bills.

I might do something similar too one day. Maybe.

Your love of China is misplaced at best. They don't treat their Muslims very well.

We used to be their best friends when they used to kill their Muslims, when they were hard-core commies.

You think Pakistan would or should give a shit about how China ... or anyone... treats it's own people??? It isn't any of our business.

We will always be friends.

In my case I can see it around my eyes (thanks to Mongol ancestors). Blood is thicker than water. China will always be the mother country ... the center of Asia... for billions of us.

China will become old before she becomes rich. And unless they want to be the first gay superpower since ancient Sparta, their gender imbalances are going to prove most problematic for generations to come.

Now India, on the other hand . . .

"Do you know, they give you free electricity in some parts of China?

That's being exploited? LOL"

The Chinese who drink water contaminated by sewage and industrical waste far outnumber the ones receiving free electricity. Are you really dumb enough to buy into their propoganda?

"You think Pakistan would or should give a shit about how China ... or anyone... treats it's own people??? It isn't any of our business."

No. I said the Chinese are going to wake up one day and start caring. This is why the Chinese government is so scared of them.

The Chinese who drink water contaminated by sewage and industrical waste far outnumber the ones receiving free electricity.

Nonsense.

This is why the Chinese government is so scared of them.

It is called Confucianism, which emphasizes respect for authority figures and family.

Who is scared?

The Chinese who drink water contaminated by

Lets not forget all that fluoride and whatnot in American drinking water. Makes Americans go kookoo now and then.

Look what it did to your President. Turned him into War-Chimp.

In a better world, people get hit by gamma radiation and turn into the Hulk.

"China will always be the mother country ... the center of Asia... for billions of us."

#54 | Posted by Tosser

Methinks Tibet would have a big problem with that. Really Big (thanks Ed!)

And India is in direct competition with "mom," in population, industry, and tech. I doubt that India looks to China as the center of Asia.

China is playing the tolerance game, though to a very limited degree, because it too desires to be a on the first string in the world economic game. China, as with India, has a very long way to go being that there is still a significant portion of its population that is stuck in time somewhere around the Middle Ages. (Such the same can be said about some denizens of the US, but at least they have made it as far as the 19th century.)

Most strange that, in the 21st century, there are still millions of people worldwide who have never seen a TV, never spoken on a telephone, never ridden in a car. Are they more or less happy than we who exist in the 21st?

The US has saved many 3rd world countries when they defaulted on their debt, ie Brady bonds.

Feels like the US is going to return the favor!

hmmmmmmmm I remember just a few years ago when Democrats were speaking of this it was called hand wringing. For a $900 in tax rebates over 8 years the Republicans sold the country down the road.

Where can I find more debt? I hear the banks sell it.

Ithink the solution is for americans to give up their number one hobby - shopping. Shopping is not a hobby, it is a necessity, you buy food when you need it, you buy a pair of shoes cause the old ones have worn out, not cause yours are blue and this year everyone is wearing green. Americans needs to get off their addiction to STUFF and quick buying STUFF. Clue - if you live in a standard three bed two bath house and you a) can't get your car in your garage or b) you rent a storage unit, guess what you have too much stuff, QUIT BUYING MORE OF IT!

Methinks Tibet would have a big problem with that.

Considering what China has done with the place, Tibetans ought to get down on their knees and thank China.

They only used to wash themselves 3 times in Tibet... when they were born, when they got married and when they died (this isn't a joke). Now they can shower everyday, many times a day.

And India is in direct competition with "mom," in population, industry, and tech.

Yes, India will exceed China in population.

But in industry and tech??? No... LOL... not in a million years.

However much India likes to think of itself as a competitor to China, they are actually in Pakistan's league, not China's. Same GDP per capita as Pakistan. And as every Indian who visits Pakistan observes "man, you have it much better". They don't have even inter-state highways or giant supermarket chains in India like we do here... among other things. At least catch up to Pakistan, THEN think of catching up to China....

And when was the last time you bought anything "made-in-India"? LOL.

No, India is not in China's league at all.

I doubt that India looks to China as the center of Asia.

True.. very true. India thinks it should be the center of Asia. In fact that is one reason why they had that war with China in 1962. China showed India it's place in the pecking order.

China, as with India, has a very long way to go being that there is still a significant portion of its population that is stuck in time somewhere around the Middle Ages.

China is moving upwards and taking it's people along.

Indians are not taking their people along. Just letting a few billionaires get richer and richer.

No country is in China's league, add 700 million more people to our system and we would look far worse than china by far.

China will and is the next economic power, a gift to them from US.

China is manufacturing and producing which is the avenue to rule the economy. But we have great service.

I doubt that India looks to China as the center of Asia.

You know, you have touched upon something very fascinating which many Westerners don't know about.

China does say, they got the seeds of their civilization from India (India plus Pakistan).

Even the martial arts.. Shaolin temple and all that... were because of India. India started the martial arts. China admits it.

But was it "India"... or was it "that part of India that later became Pakistan"?

For China it seems to be the latter.

India always was a Hindu land... also known as "Bharat" or "Hindustan". The part of India that is today Pakistan... became Buddhist long time ago (before we discovered Islam).

Chinese have long memories and excellent historical records. They are obsessed by history... specially the history of their own civilization and what influenced Confucianism (the basis of their culture).

That is why for Chinese historians, Pakistan is... in some ways... their mother-country.

I was told this by more than one Chinese. They have a soft spot for many parts of Asia for reasons like that. Including India itself. But India, keeps trying to fuck up the pecking order. And so they are not in favor.

FYI wrote: Interesting how "made in China" is fast becoming synonomous with "made to fail". But I guess that just shows that you get what you pay for.

"Made to fail" is the natural outcome of our "cheaper" disposable economy.

Why bother building products that last? It's better for the economy if you have to replace items frequently.

Isn't it?

Tosser - I have a few garments Made in India.

I work with a bunch of guys from Tata Consultancy Services at a large tech company. Do they count?

:)

Why bother building products that last? It's better for the economy if you have to replace items frequently.

I am sure you believe that, and I can tell just by the auto you drive.

I have a few garments Made in India.

Or you could have a few garment made in Pakistan. Or made in Bangladesh. LOL

Tata Consultancy Services

It's a service firm (from the name). We were talking of the backbone of the economy... manufacturing.

You can see my car in this video I made of me buying chips from a street vendor.

The white car in the background. Made-in-China "Chery QQ".

Goes 80-100 km on 5 kg tank of CNG. Or if you switch the engine to petrol (which I never do) it goes 55 miles to a gallon.

Enjoy the video. I made it meself with me own two hands.

People don't die in stampedes in Pakistan.
#69 | Posted by Tosser at 2008-09-30 07:33 AM

LOL

oops....

Anyway, they don't have stampedes in China. At least not that I can recall.

And they die in stampedes in India like every other day. At least in Pakistan, it happens once in a blue moon.

I don't know why, but getting squished in a stampede is kind of funny. It's pathetic, yes... but funny too.

Outsourcing and paper shuffling is not equivalent to real production

This country is run by the lawyers and accountants of the superrich, commonly called an Oligarchy. While focusing on a quick buck they are destroying our ability to produce which will eventually shrink our markets. Obama shifted to their side after he won the primary. Bush, CLinton, McCain and Pelosi (to name just four) have been there all along.

"The Chinese who drink water contaminated by sewage and industrical waste far outnumber the ones receiving free electricity.

Nonsense."

One of China's most critical environmental problems is water pollution; 300 million people lack access to clean drinking water; over 70 percent of lakes and rivers are polluted; and according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, "factories and cities dump some 40 to 60 billion tons of wastewater and sewage into lakes and rivers each year."

according to an article in the Wall Street Journal

American media garbage.

I think we all know how the American media has it in for China. And we all know how they lie on cue. "WMDs in Iraq!"

Give me a source that isn't American.

The Wall Street Journal (Wall Street... the people who are robbing the American public blind right now) is a tabloid compared to a magazine like the Economist.
Try that source. Thanks.

And even if I am wrong.. even if there is as much horrible pollution as you claim... most of the Ozone layers are still destroyed by American pollution.

Look that up too.

It is the US that refused to cooperate with the rest of the world.

"Shame shame."

Posted by Tosser

Hey!

China's the number one polluter now!

Seas to Rise Faster This Century

By Richard A. Kerr
ScienceNOW Daily News
4 September 2008
Hot on the heels of findings that tropical cyclones have been intensifying over the past few decades (ScienceNOW, 3 September), researchers report tomorrow in Science that global warming will cause sea levels to rise much faster by the end of the century than officially projected. The rising temperatures will cause the oceans to swell with melted glacial ice, the study finds, likely flooding substantial portions of Florida and Bangladesh, as well as many other low-lying, densely populated areas of the world.

I didn't see any mention of China in the article.

Or was that some sort of sarcasm again?

Sometimes the American type of humor is hard to catch for me. I can't tell if you people are joking or being serious.

"Give me a source that isn't American."

LOL. I'm not playing that game with you. It isn't as if you'd admit to being wrong anyway.

I just wanted everyone to see what an ignorant little ass-talking fool you are - assuming they haven't figured it out on their own. I really don't care what you believe as I know what you are.

I really don't care what you believe as I know what you are.

I see you are unable to give me a source that isn't American.

I also want everyone to see what an ass you are by sidestepping the fact that the US is the biggest pollution threat to the world as it produces the most greenhouse gases but won't do anything about it.

I really don't care what you believe

Good boy. Finally growing up, are we? LOL

I know what you are.

I know you know that I know what YOU are.