[GMAN]

Not necessarily. There are products made in the U.S. that are very competitively priced. It isn't just the cost of labor that is the problem that is driving products abroad, although that is a key factor. The other is the high taxes and over regulations of American industry. We are deluged with regulations, with more coming out daily. That is the communist way. The government wants to dictate the type of toilet, light bulb and other products that we can buy. They even want to control our homes and the amount of insulation. It just never seems to end. Americans are the most innovative in the world. We can cut labor costs through automation. Of course, unions fight automation, but that is one way in which we can more effectively compete. We still have many small manufacturers. It is still up to the consumer as to whether they want products made in America or elsewhere. The government promotes outsourcing with their tax and other incentives. NAFTA is a very one sided treaty which favors our competitors, mostly Mexico with little upside to the U.S.

[repete]

Originally Posted by Mr. Ford95

. Here's the deal, if we had to buy products made 100% in the US, we would be paying $5K for a toilet seat.

I seem to remember the Air Force doing just that!

[GMAN]

Yes, the Navy likes to pay high prices for hammers and toilet seats, too. I think some of that money goes into black ops to prevent any snooping eyes to know how much is being spent on special projects. But, there has to be billions in waste or a lot of corruption involved.

[repete]

Back in 'the day' My unit was going on a training mission a few hundred miles from our post, normally we would convoy there in trucks and buses but that year we didn't have money for D2 fuel. The solution?? Why fly us there and back in Chinooks! 3 of them up there and back then another round trip to pick us up! I never did understand that.