Exit: Middle-class America

[Midnight_Rider]

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/th ... 20657.html?

Read the entire article. It does affect YOU. This is the direct result of not buying American-made goods and it has all happened in just your (the average 2GN'ers) lifespan.

[NickKo]

I read this same article, a couple of days ago.

"61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007."



Then it will jump to 80 percent, then 90......



Another reason, to look at the label, and be careful when buying stuff at Wally Mart, or even getting parts..... I notice that more and more replacement brake parts (drums, rotors, for instance) are sourced out of China nowadays.

IF THIS KEEPS UP, eventually, Americans won't BE able to buy *ANYTHING*, even at Wally Mart, because they won't HAVE any JOBS to pay for jack ....


- Nick

[heydockyle]

Yea companies are making more money by outsourcing. But soon they won't be because even though it cost them less to make the item, they won't be able to sell any.

[theTeejmiester]

yup scary shit, very, very scary....

[NickKo]

Yea companies are making more money by outsourcing. But soon they won't be because even though it cost them less to make the item, they won't be able to sell any.

That is EXACTLY what I am getting at....


- Nick

[dtjackten]

middle class america is going to be gone very very soon... either you are going to be rich, or poor, middle class will be gone in due time.

[r/tguy02]

i read this article a few days ago, really just put me in awe i try to buy american, but shits just not easy anymore.

[biggrobb1995]

Scary is right. Up until exactly one year ago I was working for one of the top 5 food manufacturers in the world making 20 dollars an hour. Since then I've been on the E.D.D.'s payroll. The sad thing is, right now I make more on unemployment than I would working full time at certain/most places. Ive been looking for jobs all over my area and there isn't much out there. If you do find something you are competing with quite a few people for the same low paying job.

[Midnight_Rider]

It angers me that I have worked my *** off all of my life and yet, unlike my parents, I will never be able to retire. I hear economists urging people to save 5% to 10% of their income for retirement but I don't make enough to do that, even with two jobs.

If you look at countries like Brazil, you'll find that there is no middle class- you are either very rich or very poor. This had led to a lot of crime in that country (including kidnapping of the children of rich parents). I'm afraid that the US is following suit.

[racer12306]

Maybe if American manufacturers didn't build crap or cost so much it was be much easier to buy American.

In most situations I buy what will fit my needs and what will last, that isn't always American.

[sidepipe87]

I read this same article, a couple of days ago.

"61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007."



Then it will jump to 80 percent, then 90......

"statistics" like this are not facts though... It is a poll. No research was done here. Some idiots were asked "are you doing ok financially, or do you live paycheck to paycheck?"

It's sad nonetheless, but lets keep facts facts, and opinion opinion.

Just my two pennies.

[NickKo]

"statistics" like this are not facts though... It is a poll. No research was done here. Some idiots were asked "are you doing ok financially, or do you live paycheck to paycheck?"

It's sad nonetheless, but lets keep facts facts, and opinion opinion.

Just my two pennies.

I can see where you are coming from.

"Statistics don't lie, but liars use statistics" was a quote that one of my instructors was fond of saying.

Then, of course, the best comment on statistics may have been from the author & humorist Mark Twain:
"There are 3 kinds of lies..... Lies; Damned lies; and Statistics."


- Nick

[JRM]

Maybe if American manufacturers didn't build crap or cost so much it was be much easier to buy American.

In most situations I buy what will fit my needs and what will last, that isn't always American.

Kind of ironic that China is now developing a middle class currently.

[NickKo]

Maybe if American manufacturers didn't build crap or cost so much it was be much easier to buy American.

In most situations I buy what will fit my needs and what will last, that isn't always American.

This holds true for me, too.....
However, I do try to buy American, whenever possible.

My reasoning is below.






My own personal observation, is that American-made Crap, is still WAY BETTER in quality, than CHINESE-Made crap.
I noticed that the 'QUALITY' (if you can call it that) of products at Wal-Marx went DOWN, after they started importing all their Crap from China.



It is a DOUBLE-WHAMMY for Americans..... Not only are we Outsourcing our Jobs when we buy Cheap Chinese CRAP at places like Wal-Marx, BUT we are also SACRIFICING quality, by doing so.

Talk about adding insult to injury.

Kind of ironic that China is now developing a middle class currently.

I would imagine those are the owners and middle managers of the manufacturing facilities.

Not necessarily the 'average' Chinese worker, who still gets paid CRAP for wages....Otherwise, why would they move the jobs over there, in the first place ??

I'm sure many of us are already aware of the suicides taking place in China, at one of these facilities: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/26 ... s-20100526




- Nick

[Midnight_Rider]

Funny, I thought that Communists believe Capitalism is evil.

Maybe if American manufacturers didn't build crap or cost so much it was be much easier to buy American.

In most situations I buy what will fit my needs and what will last, that isn't always American.

My thought is that, if employers paid a living wage, everyone would be able to afford American-made goods and American workers would then make a living wage- see, if goes around in a circle. As far as "crap" goes and how long things last, I've had many more problems with inexpensive, foreign-made goods than I ever have had with more expensive, American-made ones. Heck, I'm still using American-made bath towels and sheets that I bought ten years ago. Until I gained so much weight, I was wearing American-made Levi 501 jeans that I bought in the early 80's. And, of course, there are my American-made Converse Chuck Taylors (the ones that I wore at Carlisle this year) that are older than some of the members of 2GN.

[r/tguy02]

And, of course, there are my American-made Converse Chuck Taylors (the ones that I wore at Carlisle this year) that are older than some of the members of 2GN.

i noticed you wearing those retro shoes, they still make them but are they still made in america?

[NickKo]

i noticed you wearing those retro shoes, they still make them but are they still made in america?

Speaking of which...... My last pair of Rockport shoes that I bought, were on 'clearance' at Famous Footwear.


I grabbed them, because I noticed that all the 'newer' ones, were MADE in CHINA.

The ones that I bought on 'clearance', were the last American made pair that I could find in the store.....
Needless to say, the Crap that was Made in China, was NOT as comfortable, as the American made pair.


- Nick

[v95]

Well with my degree in Bio-Chem Molecular Bio I've learned that what an american will do for 80,000 they can outsource to india for 50,000. Honestly coming from my point of view because my mother works for J&J I can say that if your not willing to do the job for cheap they kick your ass out the door. I just can see the depleting middle class america right there and even some of the wealthier middle class.

Congratulations to anyone Graduating college, best of luck in finding a Good Job.


Also to add to your not made in america section if you ever go into cvs walgreens and other stores like that and you may notice the distribution center location on the label it does not mean it was made there seeing as i have worked for both companies I've learned that neither of their products were made in america including most of there OTC generics.

[r/tguy02]

i noticed you wearing those retro shoes, they still make them but are they still made in america?

Speaking of which...... My last pair of Rockport shoes that I bought, were on 'clearance' at Famous Footwear.


I grabbed them, because I noticed that all the 'newer' ones, were MADE in CHINA.

The ones that I bought on 'clearance', were the last American made pair that I could find in the store.....
Needless to say, the Crap that was Made in China, was NOT as comfortable, as the American made pair.


- Nick

go figure...f'ing outsourcing

[Midnight_Rider]

And, of course, there are my American-made Converse Chuck Taylors (the ones that I wore at Carlisle this year) that are older than some of the members of 2GN.

i noticed you wearing those retro shoes, they still make them but are they still made in america?

No, Converse went bankrupt years ago and their trademarks were sold (to whom I don't know). Chuck Taylors are now made in China or Vietnam but the new shoes cost the same as the older American-made ones did. I have two pairs that were made in the US sometime in the 80's, one I have been wearing (at Carlisle for example), the other pair is still in the box, un-worn. Once they have worn out, no more Chucks for me.

[r/tguy02]

goes to show how much i know (i personally dont wear them) i just see kids wearing "new" versions of them today so i figured they were still making them. not surprised about the made in vietnam part though

[gtxtreme19]

I got my first pair of chucks from a friend of my dad he wore them back in the late 70's when he graduated. I took them from his basement where I was going through his records he said I could have.
Either way this post sucks I try to buy everything made in America and try to buy all groceries from local growers, meat markets(slaughter houses), and the like. Not only is the local stuff better quality but I can get a lot of stuff cheaper usually.

[Midnight_Rider]

My goal is to just keep my fellow Americans working (and reduce the trade deficit at the same time ). Finding goods made in this country can be difficult but they are out there.