MADE IN AMERICA 2

                                      MADE IN AMERICA Part 2

“Made in America”…At one time these 3 proud words could be found on the majority of the highly quality and big ticket products that most Americans purchased. Made in America gradually became replaced with “assembled in America”, and then made in “xxx” (as in some other country). Back in the 50’s and 60’s the United States was an export powerhouse with a substantial trade surplus.
When I was younger, items made in places like Japan, China, and Taiwan were known for their poor quality and cheap prices, not any more. These other hungry economies have ramped up their people and manufacturing skills to the point where they can turn out high quality, first tier products at very competitive pricing.(some can even charge a premium price over ours) Over the last 20 years, American manufacturers have bowed to the superior quality and pricing of overseas competitors, and one by one they have closed their doors and exited previously profitable markets.
I think we have lost our way, as we have forfeited most of our manufacturing to overseas suppliers.(and with it, our manufacturing jobs base). We initially gave up small dollar and labor intensive products, but have since lost our capabilities in everything from steel to durable goods such as Televisions and refrigerators.
We were once the world leader in auto and aircraft manufacturing and are now relegated to a distant 3rd. Even American owned car companies are building and assembling their products overseas, due to reduced labor costs, tax advantages, and economic incentives. The American worker has turned his back on good old fashioned manual labor.(There is a feeling that this type of work is somehow beneath us) Everyone wants to be a computer nerd or white collar executive, no one wants to get their hands dirty. Somehow we figured that everyone needs to be rich to enjoy the American way. The truth is that not everyone needs to drive a Mercedes convertible or carry a Gucci handbag to be happy. There is nothing wrong with a pickup truck and a pair of wrangler jeans.
I will readily acknowledge that we are competing in a world economy, but it’s important to admit that we are losing the competition. We’ve lost more than sales by outsourcing our products, we have lost profit, jobs, and even the independence of not having to go to foreign sources for the products we need and rely on. We have built a reliance on other countries for our core supplies.
When we began picking and choosing what items we would make here and what items we could buy cheaper overseas, we start down a slippery slope. Starting off with humble beginnings foreign manufacturers have made giant in- roads into American consumer and business products.
I still believe that all things being equal, American consumers would still prefer to buy American made products. However there is no way American consumers want to pay more for a product of equal or less quality than they get from an import. Our factories are sitting ideal, our workers unemployed. Our demand and willingness to import the products that we need and want, tends to flow net dollars out of the United States instead of into our country. This resulted in a monthly net trade deficit of 32 billion in July of 2009 alone, and over 711 billion in a year. That means our hard earned dollars and cash flow are leaving the Unites States at an unprecedented rate. Not a good sign for our economy.
Today it’s harder to find things made in the good old U.S.A. than it is to find imported items. Even items that have been traditionally associated with being built in the U.S. are now made overseas. (Caterpillar equipment for example) We have tipped the scales deeply towards a deficit trade imbalance. In addition to products that are not price competitive we have burdened our manufactures with hideous income tax implications as well as payroll and health care cost burdens.
Surprisingly we have even turned our purchasing abroad for items needed for our own national security. We buy weapon systems and technology from others, or whoever is the lowest bidder. Even the standard issue firearm that our soldiers depend on, is not made in the U.S.
Couple this dependence with our need to import oil for energy and we weaken our position in the world, both economically and militarily.(strategically). A country that doesn’t produce its own durable goods is a paper tiger. Our own natural energy resources have not been fully developed and we also have not built any new refineries in years. Also, by dismantling our industrial capabilities we put our self in a position not to be able to gear up our military hardware in case of war. In previous wars we converted car plants to making tanks and aircraft.
Science and technology are great, but a superpower needs to also have an industrial base, and ours is eroding quickly. The notion that hard work or factory work is somehow dirty or beneath us, is destroying this country. Environmental concerns although valid, have been thrown in place before suitable alternatives have been developed.
As for me, I want “Made In America” to mean something again. It means our factories will be state of the art, profitable, and productive, and so will our people. It means world class products and fresh ideas, which can compete with quality and value on a global scale. It means economic security as well as national security. We need to become self reliant for our basic needs. This country cannot afford to be dependent or held hostage by any other nation to obtain our energy and core product needs. Made in America, means a stronger America.
Now is the time to act, because change takes time. The government should step in with more aggressive tax incentives for both manufactures and consumers of American products. I’m wondering, in 2020, when someone in a foreign country sees the made in America tag..What will it mean to them?
I want to see foreign currencies flowing into the United States, that are not tied to a loan they are making us. And finally I’d like “Made in America” to be something we can all be proud of. American companies need to manufacture their products here, not just have their head quarters here. The concept should be like a strong magnet that draws people, talent, companies, and money from all over the world to our shores. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
Wake Up America…

Please feel free to contact me at: www.pooritalianboy@gmail.com
P.I.B.

FAILED FOREIGN POLICY

FAILED FOREIGN POLICY

Sometimes we all choose to believe something is real, even though intellectually we know it isn’t so. Some times we just want to believe in something and allow it to pass our reality test, and at other times it’s just good honest fun. Most of the time, its harmless for us to perpetuate these myths and go about of lives in the real world. So, I’ll give a pass to all of you who believe in Wrestling, Santa Claus, and the Easter bunny.

However, we clearly lost the recent contest of wills with the North Koreans. They announced they were going to launch a “communications” satellite and we postured up and told them we would shoot it down. We bandied about some other strongly worded political rhetoric and then sat back and watched as the North Koreans did what they wanted to do. They knew the odds were strongly in their favor because we had backed down on the much larger nuclear proliferation contest already. Not to mention the fact that we prosecuted a half won war there many years ago that we are still supporting with troops.

To make matters worse they threatened us and the world community with superlatives as to their retaliation if we tried to interfere.( their bluff worked). We retracted our own statement regarding shooting down the missile, and of course they took that as intrinsic permission to move ahead. There is no doubt that their regime gathered important scientific data that will enhance their ability to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile at the U.S. (giving them even more tactical and political capital to use against us at the next showdown). We could have stopped the missile pre-flight or had our Japanese Allies shoot it down (we have given them the means to do so). There is no question in my mind that they will both use, and export this technology to our enemies. (some have bombs and no delivery systems, others have delivery systems and no bombs.. go fish)

I think what concerns me most is when we incorporate this “wishful” thinking into our foreign policy. When we knowingly accept the word and propaganda of another country that intends to do us harm. I get upset when we are being intellectually dishonest with our self and the American people, in matters that concern national security. The worst part is we do it over and over again, with every despot and half baked dictator around the world. What naiveté, “Come on, let’s not make waves”, maybe they really are doing what they are telling us.

There is a game that children pay called “Mother May I”. In the game the children all stand obediently in a line before the all knowing “mother”. One at a time they each ask mother for permission to take a step forward. Mother plays a strategic game allowing each to make some forward progress, some by baby steps and some by giant steps (based on how pleased Mom is with each of their behaviors and how eloquently they each ask for permission.) But, Old Mom is no fool, she knows that if she allows one participant too many steps forward, they will eventually “catch” her. To insure she stays in power, Mom appears gracious in her allocation of small successes, but in the end always sends the advancing participants back to the starting line. It’s great fun as a kid’s game, but is this the way for us to conduct ourselves on the world political stage?

It seems to me that all the world leaders that would threaten and defy the United States and the world community all know how to play this game, very well. They have learned the game of patience; they know that the leadership of the United States will play by the rules. They move forward with their destructive agenda and allow us some small successes along the way. As we get closer to making any real progress they cry foul and send us back to the starting line. The whole time these devious leaders have no real intention of complying with our wishes or objectives, as they slowly make progress to their ultimate goals.

Two steps forward and one step back, appearing to comply or feigning the desire to negotiate, while inching ever slightly towards their ultimate objective with each passing day. ( Insert the Iranian nuclear contest of wills here) They allow us to rejoice in our perceived diplomatic momentum, offering us just enough apparent success to keep us in the game. (and avoid the penalty phase). These rouge governments also realize that we have allies and detractors in the United Nations and the world community. They alternately seek approval from one sympathetic ear and then the other, much as a child that was told not to do something by one parent.

How foolish our efforts truly must appear in their eyes as they play a careful and well calculated game of cat and mouse. They know that time and public opinion will dilute the resolve and attention span of the American people. We are always so willing to trust and forget the lessons of the past. While we couch our foreign policy statements in carefully constructed, politically ambiguous, and correct terms they threaten us with blatant and inflammatory statements and threats of retaliation.

We adulterate our demands with the use of politically correct language such as “ We are leaving all options on the table” (a watered down reference to the possible use of force), or we may need to take “extreme measures”. Of course, none of these veiled threats ever deter the “evil doers” from their mission at hand. For a threat to be effective, you have to occasionally back that threat with action. Our enemies know that we are a paper tiger, and rarely if ever, back a diplomatically correct “threat” with any action. They also know that we are increasingly reluctant to act unilaterally, and God forbid acting preemptively to defuse a threat. (We need to learn a lesson from our friends in Israel) Those that would defy us and do us harm, realize that we would first go to the United Nations or try to form a coalition before taking any action.

Over time when you don’t say what you mean, and mean what you say, you loose creditability. When you loose creditability you loose the “fear factor” and perhaps more importantly, also the ability to “bluff”. In any negotiation, when you loose the ability to bluff, you are left with only a few options including walking away with your tail between your legs and all out war.

We need to revamp our foreign policy and regain our international creditability. I think the reputation we need to portray to the world is that we are fair, but tough. We need to lead with diplomacy, but not rely solely on it. Mostly we need to be consistent in our demands and expectations so that others can tell where we really stand on matters of national and global security.

Remember, there are others out there who would doubt our intentions and our resolve. There are many who will confuse our compassion for weakness. It’s vital that we respond to threats and intimidating gestures with the right posture, and measure reactions, the World is watching.

Please feel free to contact me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com

P.I.B.

THE MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM

THE MARCH TOWARDS SOCIALISM

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money”
Margaret Thatcher

First of all, I want it to be clear that I am a dyed in the wool Capitalist. (What a surprise). I subscribe to this line of thinking because I think that most of the world’s problems and darn near all of its opportunities are best addressed by good old fashioned American Capitalism.

That being said, I think this country is marching inextricably towards socialism. The funny thing is that almost everyone knows it’s the wrong direction to go, yet we find ourselves marching, no racing, to the same inevitable conclusion. (Maybe if we close our eyes and don’t acknowledge it as socialism, it will be somehow better)

I have to admit that I’m at a loss to explain the deep seated need to continue on this path, especially when history and world events warn us ..”Do Not Enter”. Perhaps we secretly feel that we don’t really deserve the prosperity and life style that we now enjoy. It is our solemn duty to self destruct by moving away from capitalism and into the waiting arms of socialism. Or perhaps, maybe we are in a 200 year cycle that swings from left to right. Maybe Al Gore can tell us, it is as inevitable as “Global Warming”. With all joking aside, I feel that by inching towards socialism, we are heading towards a “Financial and Political Ice Age”.

At the very root of the problem, the forces that are “driving the bus” down this slippery slope are Government, Taxes, and Dependence.

Big Government: to the extent that it needs socialism to help perpetuate itself. Quite simply the more people that are dependent on the government, the more power and money that government is afforded.

Taxes: Are the tool that the government uses to feed the fire of socialism. Since government does not create any wealth on its own, it used the tax system to create funds and distribute (actually re-distribute) wealth. We (the government) know better how to use these funds than the people who created the wealth. They can not be trusted to be the executors of their own destinies. Take from the rich and give to the poor….sound familiar?

Dependence: (as in the opposite of independence) In the simplest terms, the American public is becoming more dependent on the government, politicians, and the health care system. Rather than solving our own problems we are looking for assistance. The current huge bailout programs will make us more indebted and beholden, to an ever more powerful and intrusive government.

Is socialism something to be feared? Not necessarily. Is it something to be avoided? Most definitely. Socialistic programs are designed to help people, to take care of people, but at what cost? In my mind it is like grading an exam on a curve. No one really looks bad, or is allowed to fail, but it also rewards mediocrity and puts everyone at the same level.

There are many well meaning politicians that espouse these views, they want to help the masses, and they have good intentions. It’s also been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Many of these same politicians are extremely wealthy individuals. They have made their fortunes under the capitalistic system and a turn towards socialism will have little effect on their fortunes or that of their heirs.

I caution you that this road we are taking, will lead us to a place that is not good for our country. The consequences of our actions today can not be easily reversed. We need to carefully reconsider what we term as basic human rights and entitlements. Let’s not become a population lulled to sleep with government programs, handouts and easy solutions. Let us avoid an ever increasing tax on the finite and dwindling base of productive individuals and companies. If we ignore the warnings and persist on this path, we will break the back of American Capitalism, and in doing so, rob future generations of the prosperous and free America we all grew up in.

Please feel free to contact me at pooritalianboy@gmail.com

P.I.B.

AMERICAN WAY

AMERICAN WAY

“We are still a country of immigrants, some of us have just been here a little longer than others”P,I,B.

I feel qualified to address this subject because I am the son of a son, of an Italian Immigrant.

Few things stir my heart like the stories of the American Immigrant, the architects of these United States. They had so little, often arriving here with only a few personal possessions, yet they have given and shared so much. Most Americans can easily trace our roots to the first of our relatives that made their way to the United States. They came here from every country, from every corner of the world to our shores. When I look back at the old pictures of immigrants as they arrived at Ellis Island, I can see a look relief, of expectation, and of hope in their eyes. They had reached their new home.

Everyone used to call the Unites States the “Great Melting Pot”, and it was. People from all over the world would risk everything just to come to our shores. Here they expected to find liberty, opportunity, financial success, and religious freedom.

These people left everything they ever knew behind to take a chance on this country. Many left friends, family, homes, and their way of life. They came here to share in the “American Dream”, however they also brought their skills, their ambitions, their hopes and dreams. Many of them succeeded beyond their wildest dreams when their hard work and imagination were turned loose on a vast and hungry new nation destined for greatness.

The truth is that America was called the “Great Melting Pot” because these people from all over the world came here to be Americans. Yes they honored and preserved the important parts of their individual cultures, but they gladly learned our language, our laws, and our ways. They Pledged their allegiance to our country and to our Flag, to our nation, their new home. With their sweat they helped build and shape this country. They help build our roads, our infrastructure, railroads, and our great bridges. Their contributions, their strengths and talents are what made this country great.

Today, I’m afraid that America is moving away from being the “Great Melting Pot”. We are moving from a homogonous mix of peoples to a multi-cultured and fractured society. Many people entering this country today are arriving illegally. They are not here to melt in with American’s ways. They want to retain their language, their ways, and their loyalties. We should all be proud of our past and our heritage; but put the emphasis on being Americans first and foremost. Especially today, we need more things that bind us together and fewer things that separate us. Unfortunately some are not here to bring their individual skills and contributions to make an even better America; they are here only to take from this great country. Worse yet some are here not to build us up, but to tear us down.
Instead of learning and adapting to our beliefs, ways and laws, they want us to learn and adapt to their beliefs, laws, and ways. Instead of “melting in” and becoming one with us, they want to separate us from them, and them from us. This is not the formula that made this country great. Our diversity has made us strong but our ability to assimilate these cultures has made us great.

We need to control our immigration and make sure that people who arrive here are here for the right reasons. All new immigrants should learn our language, our history, and our laws. People entering this country should bring a skill, willingness to work and study, they should pledge their allegiance. Their presence should strengthen American, not siphon off from it. If new entrants are not willing to assimilate, then we should not be willing to admit them. Period…

I think that once we enforce the proper policy for immigration, we can then open our borders once again, and attract the best and brightest, the hardest workers, the students and the dreamers of the world. Each group that has come here has made huge contributions to our nation and to our culture, in the form of art, science, literature, music, and sports. This mix, this random cocktail of peoples from around the globe, has helped make the United States the greatest country in the world. The glue that holds us together is not their wealth, but their burning desire to contribute and to be free.

"Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses longing to be free..."
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

With each passing generation, we leave our foreign roots farther behind, not to be forgotten but to be part of our heritage. The heritage of our children, and our children’s children as they celebrate being true Americans.

Please feel free to contact me at: pooritalianboy@gmail.com

Also see my article: “An Immigrants Story”
P.I.B.

HOW TO REBUILD AMERICA

HOW TO REBUILD AMERICA
“One Brick at a Time”

If you read my previous article: “The Demise of America”, you realize that I believe our country has taken a wrong turn. In many cases, America is in a state of decline, both economically, politically, and morally. I feel that to begin our recovery, we need to first acknowledge our mistakes and misdeeds.

I love this country and I know we can reverse the damage we have done, however, we must begin the process in earnest and we must begin now. It’s important that we do not underestimate the size and complexity of the job we have before us, nor the amount of commitment and effort that will be required. This rebuilding initiative will be a monumental task, accomplished “one brick at a time”.

This task is too important to leave solely to our elected officials. To propel our country to new heights of greatness will require a grass roots effort by all Americans. The job is simply too big for the congress or even the president to tackle alone. I think president Obama, would welcome the help and support of all Americans. In addition, we need to make our elected officials painfully aware that nothing, short of their full attention and cooperation on this effort will be acceptable

As I mentioned, there is a lot of work to be done on many fronts, but here is my

Top Ten “starter” list:
(in no particular order)

Partisan politics: This country was founded on Political debate and tolerance for different points of view. My concern is that the constituents are so divided on most issues that it’s hard to get a consensus. The two party system seems to have drifted to the far left and far right, leaving the centrist to choose between the best of two evils. Sometimes, after an election, I get the feeling that the names have changed, and the balance of power has shifted, but that we are in for more of the same. We may need a solid Third party to offer some balance (maybe the “freedom party”)

Welfare state: Government is not our surrogate mother. I believe in helping people in need, not creating a needy class of people. Our government can not, and should not, be responsible for cradle to grave care for otherwise self sufficient people.

Immigration: America, is truly the great melting pot, Immigration has made us strong. But, today we have people who are entering the country for the wrong reasons or illegally. These un- documented immigrants are undermining our economy and our security, as well as bringing in once controlled or eradicated diseases. Although many of these individuals just want to work and share in our wealth, others are penetrating our borders to do us harm. In short, we need to control our borders.

Economic foundation/Jobs: We have to fix our ailing economy before we can work on some of the other needs. America’s free trade economy is the engine that drives our country forward. When our economy is healthy it creates jobs, strengthens the dollar, and helps provide increased tax money to run the government. The vast majority of Americans are motivated, hard working individuals. They don’t want a handout, they want honest work. We need to reward American and foreign companies for creating jobs that can be filled with American workers.

Bail outs/ no more: What ever side of this bailout business you land on, the banks, car manufacturers, brokerage firms, and insurance agencies, need to know, after this “you are on your own”. Business must succeed or fail on the merits of their own efforts, and with their own capital. The American people will not be there to offer you a soft landing again.

War/ division: If and when America goes to war we need to be 100% sure it’s the only alternative and then we must stand united, behind our troops. There are real fundamental differences and threats in the world for us to be concerned about, any one of which could threaten our national interest and cause us to go to war or be attacked. Iran/Middle east/Israel, Korea, and others, all represent a real and present danger, we can’t ignore these realities or close our eyes to them.
As far as I’m concerned..It’s “ All in or All Out”. War is not the issue for politicians to play political poker with (and we better not let them). Let me repeat, war is a terrible, but sometimes necessary option. We should only exercise that option after all other options have been exhausted and then only to protect ourselves and our vital interests. However, if we do need to go to war, we need to do so to win it and get out.

Put America First: It’s important to be a good world citizen and it’s nice to help others, but let’s get our own house in order first. I’m not advocating that we turn our back on our friends, but put our needs first. We have a responsibility to our own citizens that surpasses that of our neighbors.

Energy Independence: We need to drill & reward alternates energy development: Drilling may have some sort term environmental downside, but so will a nuclear attack on us. The cost to our economy and national security out weigh other concerns. As a side note here, we also need to reduce our foreign debt dependence, much like reliance on foreign energy; it also makes us indebted and subservient to other nations

Build a bridge: It’s a small world, and we are only one player. We no longer wield the same economic and political clout we once had. Let’s drop the arrogance and begin building better relations with other countries (both economic and political)

Home land security: In short: “Beef it Up” ..Our citizens need to understand that we can’t stop every threat from getting thru. We must stop some before they start, and that can only be done with better intel, at home and abroad. As president Bush has repeatedly said: “we have to be right every time, and they only have to be right once” Forget the other items on this list if we can’t control this one. Because without homeland security its, none of the above may be possible, its game over.

It’s been said that freedom was never free, there is a cost. Other generations have paid the price to make America safe, to make America strong, and now it’s our turn. The election may be over but the hard work has just begun. Let’s bring back American pride and unity, like right after 9/11. Let’s begin to rebuild America “Brick by Brick”. We can make her stronger and better than ever.
P.I.B.
Feel free to contact me at pooritalianboy@gmail.com