So today, while my daughter was having her afternoon nap, instead of watching an episode of the Rockford Files on Netflix or looking at old cars on craigslist, I thought I'd go down my bookmarked links to blogs and see what people have been writing about, thinking about or what "OOTD" they're showcasing.
So I went here, and then here, here and then eventually ended up on this. I am a HUGE fan of buying American made products and an even bigger fan of NOT BUYING "ICONIC AMERICAN" PRODUCTS MADE IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES
Now, I have nothing against 3WC's, nothing at all, I just don't think American companies need to create jobs over there*
*Much of Asia, Middle East, Mexico etc. (just my opinion)
I've often wondered why it is that American (and other) companies send manufacturing jobs overseas yet still tout their "iconic" American-ness. Some of these companies, a few of which I will name soon, sensing a possible backlash or shift in buying priorities decided to have special editions or limited runs of "American Made" goods.
So, lets get into it a little- Levi's. You can get a pair of douchebag rinse American Made Levis for $198 or, you can get their Mexican made Levis for $52. Now, question one is- WHY NOT MAKE ALL THE JEANS IN THE USA? Question two is- WHY ARE THE AMERICAN JEANS FOUR TIMES THE PRICE OF THE MEXICAN JEANS?
Allow me to try to answer these two questions (FOR LEVIS, if I may)... I guess both can be covered in the same answer- Production costs are lower in developing countries, working conditions are less regulated, pollution is less regulated and when COSTS are lower, PROFITS are higher. Now, Levis saw fit to have some jeans made in the US, why? Seriously, WHY? Why just make a tiny fraction of their jeans here in America? Now, this is where I start to sound like some conspiracy nut. IF Levis made all their jeans here in the USA and all had a price tag of $200 a pair, how many people would buy them? How many people pay $200 for a pair of jeans? Not fucking many. Not enough to keep Levis in business. It's the $52 Mexican/Honduras/Philippine made Levis that keeps the lights on. Plus, if you crank out low cost jeans or insert your foreign made "iconic* product here, you can SUPPRESS the wages of the American working masses.
Did American companies send manufacturing jobs overseas to maximize profits OR remain competitive? If you know the answer, please tell me.
Now, if you live in a country that is no longer known as a "manufacturing" country, what is the main industry? SERVICE & HOSPITALITY. Don't get me wrong, America still manufactures some goods- some cars, weapons, planes, chemicals... anything else? Anyway, America is not really a manufacturing country anymore is it?
Check THIS out. Service industry employees don't make shit for wages. If you live in Oklahoma and work for some small business, they can pay you as low as $2.00 an hour. TWO FUCKING DOLLARS PER HOUR! If you live in Georgia, and work at a fast food restaurant (MOST LIKELY PART TIME SO YOUR EMPLOYER DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR MEDICAL INSURANCE) you'll be making $5.15 an hour. Now, how many people in OK. or GA. are buying $200 Levis? Shit, how many people in OK. are buying $52 Levis??? That's 3-4 days pay for a pair of jeans!
Companies like LEVIS do not give a fuck about America or the American Worker, it is a business and a "good" business maximizes profits. Levis are not the only guilty partner. Look at the automobile industry, look at what they did to Detroit for Gods sake. (I recommend watching DETROPIA.) Why have cars made in Mexico or Canada when there are PLENTY of skilled labor right here in the US desperate for work? Why close down MASSIVE plants here in America and build BRAND NEW PLANTS in Mexico??? Is it to maximize profits or stay competitive?
Apple Products, designed in California, assembled in China. Why? Because having a relatively small number of design staff in the US and all manufacturing overseas helps make a SMALLER NUMBER OF PEOPLE (the board) VERY VERY WEALTHY.
To you people that "LOVE" your iPhone I suggest you read THIS, and before you counter with "But that's not Apple, it's a contractor in China!", well, Apple ain't doing much about it are they?
Again, let me state that I do not have a problem with Third World Countries and I know that there may come a day when someone somehow winds up on this blog entry and gets offended that I said Mexico was a 3WC or questions whether or not China is a 3WC when it's economy is so strong but to that person I say- "Look at the living conditions over there!"
Anyway, what started this rant was this blog entry. American made Sperry Topsiders... $300. THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS??? FOR SOME SLIP ON MUCK-A-BOUTS?!
Not that long ago, when I was on this IVY LEAGUE thing, (ok, I still am but that's a whole different blog entry) I bought a pair of authentic Sperry Topsiders. They are MADE IN CHINA and THEY ARE SHIT. The cushioning in the heel collapsed after a month, wearing them now is some form of sick torture.
Flagellants, from a 15th century woodcut wearing MADE IN CHINA Sperry Topsiders.
The sole has also become brittle and crumbly and they are slippier than shit on smooth surfaces. Would I buy them again? No. Would I buy the $300 American Made version? What am I? a Hollywood Movie Star??!!!
Anyway, this rant has gone on long enough and it's time for bed.
Let's finish this some other time maybe?
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