10th Sep 2009, 20:48
Everyone ranting about how we should destroy Ford, GM and Chrysler seem totally oblivious to the fact that these three corporations employ NINETY PERCENT of the U.S. auto-related workers. Japanese companies employ a scan TEN PERCENT. Buying Japanese cars hurts NINETY PERCENT of our auto-related jobs. Why is this simple fact so hard for brainwashed import buyers to comprehend? Help 10%: BAD for U.S., Help 90% GOOD for U.S. Where is the logic in cheering for the destruction of hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs??
11th Sep 2009, 07:50
Yes, you are right... we should all sit here and wish for the good old days!!
Who is cheering for the destruction of US industry? The destruction has already occurred, and believe me I am not cheering about it. The problem I see now is that everyone wants to continue along the same path that led us to this dismal place we are now at, and make everything better by continuing to support these poor business practices. Sorry, but it is time for a change, a long and painful change. Too bad your little bubble has burst... so has mine and nearly everyone I know. I am not going to live in a unreal world thinking there is a quick fix and things will be forgotten. I love how the media says the recession is ending. That is just so you'll go out and spend some money to "save" the economy.
Go ahead and buy from "American Based" companies thinking you are doing a service to them. Just remember that the profits don't go entirely to that company, but to the manufacturer of the equipment. The percentages are a little more favorable to the foreign manufacturer than you seem to think they are. There are so few things made 100% in the U.S. these days you won't find much to buy.
I am an American, born and raised here, but I am ashamed of our country and its greedy businesses. They have destroyed our own country because everyone wants too much and has become too comfortable letting other countries "assemble" their products. Our own companies sold out on us due to labor costs and you want to keep on supporting this?? When is the last time you spoke to an American on a service call for anything but a small local company?? Please, you are no more patriotic than I or anyone else. Even GM outsources many or their parts to save money. You think the stereo or computer was built in the good old U.S.A.??
One other thing... It's difficult to believe that you sold your Honda to a junk dealer in just over two years... Everyone knows Honda's last forever. Also my Dad has a Sony TV from 1979 that was bought as a floor model, and it still works perfectly to this day!
11th Sep 2009, 09:58
8:46 How can not buying from America improve the quality of life here? If anything, buying 2 or 3 new imports and filling your home totally with imported goods seems more self absorbed. We are punishing ourselves in the long run. I guess hurry to hit rock bottom quicker is teaching us a lesson. I maintain every person can make a difference, not be throwing lead life jackets to our friends that are sinking because we do not want to retain business here. I wonder if our foreign friends are laughing at our short sightedness
11th Sep 2009, 15:11
Based on what I've been reading here - the import buyers aren't the ones who have been "brainwashed".
11th Sep 2009, 17:44
I am starting to think I can improve my standard of living transferring to Japan and bringing some nicer new domestic automobiles there to drive. Everyone here seems to enjoy less money, forced furloughs, less benefits, no retirement, downsizing and driving small cars to compensate for what they have lost. Maybe moving elsewhere is the way to go.
11th Sep 2009, 18:36
All this chat about patriotism is bunk... look at your household, (appliances, furniture, toys, computers etc.) not just your car, and then tell me you buy American. You don't! So if I'm a proud American (and I am), I should buy an inferior product that doesn't last as long, has higher maintenance and a terrible trade in value... and be happy... I don't think so. The Honda's are made HERE and some of that money goes to American workers right here in America...
12th Sep 2009, 09:02
We seem to have gotten off topic here, but as a Honda salesperson, you need to understand one thing...
Not only are about 75-80% of the vehicles manufactured in the US, Canada and Mexico that are sold stateside, some of that money stays here in manufacturing jobs, R&D jobs and bottom line profit. Honda as well as almost all other major manufacturers are publicly held companies, ie. profits go to shareholders wherever they live. GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, etc have shareholders living all over the world, so these are not really Japanese or American any more, they are global companies with global owners. Chrysler is privately held. It's hard to find an American company anymore that has no global ties. Just buy American manufactured and support your country that way.
12th Sep 2009, 11:25
18:36 that's right a small amount of money or some money remains here. Not all or most of the money. The previous commenter also mentioned. We get what we deserved. So bury oneself further to really do the job. Sorry, I don't jump off cliffs just because others do. In the end who pays? Low paying import factory jobs can barely pay rent, let alone own a home in my city. Even buying a cheap import car a family will struggle on wages I have heard. I wonder how many commenters on here are still living at home. I am not content with lousy wages.
12th Sep 2009, 14:56
22:17 I look at my employer and want to make sure I am not the next statistic in my high paying position. If you quit buying from me, I am another one of the 6 million people currently out of work in this country. The ones left working will have less and less... I am all for cross training and going to college all over again for less pay if necessary, but why? I am seeing less of my family, working 2 lower paying jobs, more hours, less benefits and hoping to make it up with a smaller downsized home and small car. Not very encouraging. I would like to see everyone prosper. I admit I bought some imported household items and making an effort to minimize doing so. If I am out of work any money I am spending locally will be lost. Maybe everyone here is immune with their jobs... I thought I was and people are behind paying my employer now! Job loss,downsizing etc. In the end it all costs us in this bad economy. People want to live here and spend overseas. Low paying jobs is probably going to be the norm...I like a nice standard of living.
10th Sep 2009, 14:51
First of all - Nobody is "cheering" the destruction of US industry.
Secondly - Your neighbor driving the Honda or Toyota is EVERY BIT as American as you are.
Don't judge people by what they drive.