Friday, October 1, 2010

Deny China Our Slice of the Pie

This is what I have to say after reading this article on Yahoo.

Manufacturing gains in China are coming in large part at the expense of the American worker. I emphasize worker, because the corporations that employ them are the ones increasing their profits by exporting US jobs. With the sums of money these corporations are making, they can easily contribute enough money to politicians to gain influence and ensure that the status quo as they make it is maintained. Every day we hear about a new career field that is being outsourced. It is a shame the decision makers can't invest the same creativity in things like research and development.

The victory of this system has been so complete that people seem to be numbed and take for granted that it is happening. We have even become complicit by voting with our dollars for the decision to keep exporting jobs if we are presented with goods that are a little cheaper (and usually of much lower quality).

We cannot depend on the political establishment to do anything about the mass exodus of American jobs overseas. They are part of the problem that needs to be dealt with, and soon. Elections come only so often, and even if the incumbent is booted there is no guarantee that their replacement will have the courage to turn down the campaign money.

No, the only real option outside of political revolution is for every American citizen to start supporting their neighbors, friends, family and hell, even themselves if they have the privilege to still actually make something here. We all need to BUY AMERICAN WHENEVER POSSIBLE and push the companies selling us things to offer more American made options.

One thing you and I have in common with large multinational corporations and political elites is that at the end of the day, we are all fundamentally in the business of self preservation. Companies and politicians will do what they need to do to maintain their edge and that takes money. As citizens and shoppers we decide who gets that money. Speak with your wallet since that is the voice they hear the loudest. Only when enough of us really embrace this change in our behavior will they get on board and stop undermining us.