Why don't we build anything anymore?

SGT Joe Sabedra — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:39:00 -0400

Ever notice that we have become a country on consumers and not builders.
We used to be that largest export country in the world.
Now we sub it all out to other countries.

Here is an idea.
Since the government likes to make restrictions I have one for them.

Every military contract must be built on American Soil with only American made parts.

Now I know this may make things a little more expensive initially but it's trickle down economics.
More Americams are working building widgets and there for More Americans have disposable income.

Maybe it's too simple minded but I have never been accused of being complex.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 4 at 2015 12:46 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 12:46:49 -0400

Really comes down to cost of labor and resources. Sure it would be great to have "Made in USA" on everything but sometimes to do that would drive the cost of goods through the roof.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 4 at 2015 1:19 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 13:19:12 -0400

Bottom line GREED!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 4 at 2015 3:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:05:02 -0400

I can agree with that.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 4 at 2015 3:06 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:06:44 -0400

We don't build anything in this nation because of the cost of labor and the poor craftsmanship. This can almost completely be attributed to unions and the high salaries and poor quality they beget.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 4 at 2015 3:17 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:17:34 -0400

Here's the simplified rules for those that are interested:

http://www.hollandhart.com/pdf/buying-american-country-of-origin-requirements-in-us-government-contracts.pdf

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 4 at 2015 3:47 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:47:21 -0400

Not to mention that quality left the plane w/o a parachute. Quality has been replaced by warranties that make you pay more than you have to in the event it breaks. Then when it breaks, oops, its not covered under the warranty. Had our clothes dryer for only 7 years. The electronic control panel went (nothing mechanically wrong with the dryer) and they want $400 to replace it. Had I paid another $175 2 years ago after my 5 year warranty ran out it would have been fixed. So $400 to fix a 7 year old dryer or $700 to buy a new one - which by the way includes a new fucockta pedestal. Even if you buy the same brand dryer, the new dryer doesn't quite fit on the old pedestal as it's been redesigned and 1/4 inch wider. The fleecing of America at it's best!

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Aug 4 at 2015 3:54 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:54:18 -0400

We do build things, we participate in nation building very often.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2015 4:28 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:28:18 -0400

The private sector has, first and foremost, a profit incentive. Every company wants to maximize how much money they make. Some of them prioritize profits to the point that they outsource labor to other countries in order to reduce costs.

You could, theoretically, compel companies to keep manufacturing by taxing overseas income and penalizing those who outsource labor. However, a less antagonizing way to achieve the same result would be to provide tax incentives to those that keep their business here, as well as import highly skilled foreign talent.

As long as our political-corporate landscape facilitates the overly free market practices that reward outsourcing, that won't happen.