Mike Wyatt posted:In the USA, we have turned into (or been turned into) a bunch of "WalMart shoppers"- we want everything cheap.....but a LOT of it.
I teach middle-school kids "Global Economy" as part of the current version of Junior Achievement. "JA" WAS (1970's) an organization that a kid joined for a school year. meeting multiple times to run a simulated business and make a product is no more. Now we get ONE 1/2-day session a year.
As part of that session, I use "Jeans and Mustangs" as a tool. First I ask all who own at least 4 pairs of jeans to raise their hands- almost every child in a class of 25 or so does (sometimes I have to clarify that "plain" blue jeans and decorated ones are ALL still jeans.)
I tell them that- in 1967, there were ONLY USA-made jeans, and that Levi Brand cost $18 per pair. They ALL think of Levi's as higher quality than many others, and are amazed at the low $18 1967 price. Their parents are paying as low as $ 7.50 to as much as $ 25 at WalMart - all made in the far east.
I then tell them that I only had TWO pair- new for the beginning of the college year, one to wash and one to wear. In spring- those became by "work jeans" for wearing on the township road crew. But-today- two pair is not acceptable.
I tell them that in 1967, a base Ford Mustang cost $ 2400, and that today it is roughly 10X that. Of course, there is NO comparison- it is a far better car- disc brakes, A/C, better fuel economy, galvanized steel, etc. etc. As well, the Mustang is largely made in the USA, using American materials, and union labor.
I for one also admire the fact that my PW Lionel products were high-quality "toys " that still run 65 years later, and were not only "Made in USA" but also made in one of the highest-cost of living areas OF the USA. Our country COULD do that again... IF we were willing to pay the price. Our people are just as skilled, although maybe our education system puts too much emphasis on "white collar" careers and too little on skilled trades.
My point: IF we consumers were willing to buy quality, and pay more for "Made in USA", willing to pay more to have more US workers employed and IF we would be satisfied with "just two pair" (or just two engines?) ---then we could have more USA-made goods.
It IS all up to us. It is NOT "management", or "stockholders"- it is the consumers.
2nd and Hallelujah and amen to that!
How many people on this forum think people who buy one or two higher end like Sunset are crazy when you can get 10 MTH which are "just as good 10 feet away".
When I taught JA about 10 years ago it was one hour a week for a semester.
