The reason Walmart thrives is because so many consumers CHOOSE to shop there.
I am making the argument that there is going to be even more shrinkage in the manufacturing labour pool, due to automation. Please re read my post if you did not get this the first time. BTW, crap Asian stuff has ALWAYS been crap Asian stuff. I grew up in the late 60's and early 70's and believe me when I tell you that Asian factories have been selling cheap product for a long, long time. What do you suggest? That we pay more for American crap just because it is American? No thanks. That doesn't help anyone, much less the American worker.
Actually, I feel it's I who should be asking you if you actually read my post. You're arguing that automation is robbing Americans of jobs. I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm simply wondering aloud why it is that automation in China is making our stuff, as opposed to automation in the U.S.
The free market rests on the notion of consumer choice. Obviously. Competition, supply and demand, blah blah blah. Let's not drag these simple terms out - this is several iterations earlier in the argument and we don't need to go there again.
So, we're looking at a few questions here. Why is American stuff crap? Why couldn't we compete? Why did foreign goods win out? The simple answer is that foreigners have a lower standard of living than Americans, meaning they don't need to be paid as much (not to mention being more lax on all kinds of regulations) meaning their products are ultimately cheaper. Cheaper is a strong competitive argument in any market, and so Americans buy foreign stuff instead of domestic stuff. And as domestic sales suffer, so do quality standards. All because Americans don't want to pay another American's higher wages! That's it - that's the central decision. "Do I want to pay an American a higher wage, or a foreigner a cheaper wage?" They seem to be forgetting that they themselves are Americans, wanting to be paid higher wages. Who will fund the standard of living Americans wish to maintain? Who's buying our products?
Someone mentioned unionisation. Why do people unionise? To attempt to secure bargaining power for a higher standard of living. Try telling a union member that they don't deserve a raise, extra vacation time or better healthcare. The money is there, so why don't they deserve it?
Capitalism centers on the idea of mutual self-interest. I'm arguing that it's not in the best interests of the average American to buy foreign goods. Please, if you're arguing against this point, provide some useful insight into why it's in the best interest of an American to buy foreign versus domestic. Saying "cuz it's cheaper!" or "American stuff is overpriced and it sucks!" or observing the simple reality of "the way people are doing business right now" doesn't cut it for me.
North America manufactures fantastic quality musical products that are, IMO, worth the extra expense. Of course you can choose what you buy. I think it would benefit the average consumer to consider where their money goes when they buy things, and how it's going to benefit them in the long run.
