CAL - Nice thought, but implementing this kind of manufacturing in the USA would result in a Ford Focus or Chevrolet Cobalt costing $40,000. You can’t produce a tail light or horn in the USA for anywhere near the price that you can purchase it in third world countries like Mexico. Why? Because Mexican are willing to build tail lights for $2 per hour, and American’s want $22 per hour to do the same job. Margins for automakers are so tight, they couldn’t afford to make/purchase all parts in this country.

Another example is clothing - the best khaki pants in the world are produced by Bill’s Khaki’s right here in the USA. However, a pair of these high quality pants cost $130 as compared to $35 for cheaply made Docker’s made in Indonesia. Most American’s can’t afford $130 pants - so they are forced to buy the Indonesian crap from the mall stores. It’s not that people aren’t patriotic, they just can’t afford to these kinds of items even if the pants made here are better quality and worth the price.

America still produces some of the highest quality items money can buy: tools, power tools, clothing, electronics, select automobiles, motorcycles, and much more. Quality = expensive.

ie: Craftsman tools, Matco Tools, Harley Davidson, Fender & Gibson Guitars, Corvette, select Dewalt/Milwaukee/Porter-Cable power tools, Carhartt Clothing and much more.

Gaucho

I agree totally about the price of the Focus and Cobalt, if every part was manufactured in the USofA.

I have an 05 Harley, Ultra Classic, and you would be surprised how many parts it has, that were NOT made in the US.

Carhartt’s are made in Mexico now.

What kind of cordless drill can I buy that’s made in USA?

About the only bit of clothing I have made in the USA are my Redwing boots. When I buy clothes now, as long as it isn’t made in China, I feel a little better but damn you can’t find clothes made here.

The Unions have cost us our manufacturing jobs. They’ve priced our labor above what the market will pay. They want to receive $50,000 a year for a GED education.

I resent my tax dollars going to bailout the unions which had $250 million to donate to Obama’s campaign. I will buy American when unions stop donating their funds to elect Democrats. Otherwise, too bad!

Hmmm…last chevy i bought was built in Mexico, what does that say? My buddies toyota was built in the US with 85% of the parts built in the US (per the door sticker.

Centrist,

So with you thought process I should not shop or patronize any and all companies that donate to any Republicans. Wow I guess I would be making my own clothes and growing/raising all my food too. Do you hate unions that bad or just Democrats. Your answer just sounds like an excuse to buy foreign items. I try to buy American whenever possible, whether it be union or not. Buying American will help your neighbors, thats being a good American.

In past contract negotiations the UAW basically shut down Detroit until they got what the demanded. (kinda like extortion) They got Free Health Care, Great Pay and hey, you get laid off you still collect 95% of you pay. Management didn’t care cause they were making money and thier competition all had the UAW getting the same deal. Along came Honda and Toyota who told the UAW - Thanks but no thanks. I don’t see allot of Toyota or Honda workers complains about poor working conditions or bad pay. The last two vehicles I purchased were new Chevys. I truley believe Chevy makes a vehicle second to none. And the UAW is more than willing to demand a “Piece of the Pie” when their contract is up. But guess what UAW, the Pie is gone and now it’s time to pay.