The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

At the same time, however, senators rejected a proposal by Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona to strip the "Buy American" language completely from the bill.

WOW, just imagine if this clown got elected. He could even make Dumbya look good.

LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

This. I'm planning on two major purchases this year -- three if the central air finally goes tits-up -- and the "made in America" options are slim.

1) a big honkin' TV -- does ANYONE make LCD or plasma TVs in the states?
2) a new car -- I'm looking for a mid-sized sedan, but I'm not sure the Lincoln MKS or Caddy CTS are even 100% American-made, let alone stand up to the Merc E-Class, Lexus GS or Audi A6 (advice definitely appreciated).
3) the air conditioner -- I want to get another Carrier to replace the one I have that's long past its design life. At least I'm fairly sure THAT is American made.

Granted, this stimulus package is talking about "ok, we're repairing a bridge, so let's use American components while American workers are building it" so it's a bit different, but...I really wish we made more stuff here.

Good. That would've been a retarded law

Mr. Coffee Nerves: Granted, this stimulus package is talking about "ok, we're repairing a bridge, so let's use American components while American workers are building it" so it's a bit different, but...I really wish we made more stuff here.

I would just be happy if we traded with equal partners. There is no way that an American worker can compete with a worker in some 3rd world nation that works for $3.00 a day.

LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

At least good guitars are still American made. Granted, they're way more expensive than the imports, but in this case, you get what you pay for. Sigh....one day I'll get that Tampa-made Dean.....

/owns 2 imports :(

This debate reminds me of that old labor song:

Look for the union label
When you are buying that coat, dress or blouse.
Remember somewhere our union's sewing,
Our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house.
We work hard, but who's complaining?
Thanks to the I.L.G. we're paying our way!
So always look for the union label,
It says we're able to make it in the U.S.A.!

lajimi: WOW, just imagine if this clown got elected. He could even make Dumbya look good.

Do you realize how many jobs would be lost if protectionism took over?

You sir, don't get it....

I lean a bit left and generally support the stimulus bill, but I'm happy that this silly provision is gone. It was well-intentioned but the negatives would've far outweighted the positives.

The "Buy American" clause would make plenty of mass-transit urban infrastructure projects impossible to qualify for stimulus funds, due to the "has to be ready to go in 120 days" part of the bill. Plenty of things we need aren't made in the US right now, and it would be tough to get that manufacturing ready to go in 120 days, let alone the manufacturing and the project itself.

Also, there's the whole international trade war thing that would be a result, but I won't get into that.

xtragrind: Do you realize how many jobs would be lost if protectionism took over?

In China?

I am unsure about this one.

I would like to know what other nations look at foreign bidders for their infastructure.

When it comes to Europe their are many corporations that are part state owned (aerobus, FN, etc) and they def get a leg up. I don;t want to go full scale into a trade war, but I want to make sure we aren't getting raped by pother countries either.

Shaggy_C: xtragrind: Do you realize how many jobs would be lost if protectionism took over?

In China?

You really don't need to look that far...

Mr. Coffee Nerves: LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

This. I'm planning on two major purchases this year -- three if the central air finally goes tits-up -- and the "made in America" options are slim.

1) a big honkin' TV -- does ANYONE make LCD or plasma TVs in the states?
2) a new car -- I'm looking for a mid-sized sedan, but I'm not sure the Lincoln MKS or Caddy CTS are even 100% American-made, let alone stand up to the Merc E-Class, Lexus GS or Audi A6 (advice definitely appreciated).
3) the air conditioner -- I want to get another Carrier to replace the one I have that's long past its design life. At least I'm fairly sure THAT is American made.

Granted, this stimulus package is talking about "ok, we're repairing a bridge, so let's use American components while American workers are building it" so it's a bit different, but...I really wish we made more stuff here.

on the car: The CTS will stand up VERY well in comparison to the Mercedes (Benz's are pretty much crap and cost a fortune to maintain) comparable to the Lexus but falls short of the Audi.

All you "buy American" people realize that the reason so many things are so cheap is that they are not made in America. We end up getting a pretty good deal.

/continue ranting

Mr. Coffee Nerves: but...I really wish we made more stuff here.

This



As for the T.V you might want to try VIZIO I think they are American made.

LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

I bet it gets shorter still.

The "buy American" clause would have created approximately 1,000 jobs.

It would have cost at least that many export jobs as other countries passed similar protectionist policies.

Currently, only 4% of government expenditures go to foreign-produced products. That clause is completely worthless, but hey, it feels good!

LiquidTester: All you "buy American" people realize that the reason so many things are so cheap is that they are not made in America. We end up getting a pretty good deal.

Things are cheaper for those who maintained the same employment before and after free trade policies went into effect. However, for the millions who lost their job to lower-paid psuedoslaves in foreign lands, their decreased pay doesn't exactly make things seem 'a pretty good deal' if you ask me.

LiquidTester: All you "buy American" people realize that the reason so many things are so cheap is that they are not made in America. We end up getting a pretty good deal.

/continue ranting

If the deal you're looking for is consumerist junk. Yes, it's fantastic.

But I'd like to know when quality of life was measured by how many teevee sets you have.

Gotta keep China happy, ya know.

Shaggy_C: Things are cheaper for those who maintained the same employment before and after free trade policies went into effect.

So much cheaper in fact that you could pay those people losing "their" jobs to retire and it would still be more beneficial to maintain the trade agreement.

number8: Currently, only 4% of government expenditures go to foreign-produced products. That clause is completely worthless, but hey, it feels good!

Citation?

Smacky the Frog: Gotta keep China happy, ya know.

ha ha ha (new window) He's pretty happy.

USP .45: So much cheaper in fact that you could pay those people losing "their" jobs to retire and it would still be more beneficial to maintain the trade agreement.

If only that had actually happened. Instead it was 'the plant is shutting down, go home'.

Stimulus good, protectionism bad.

Easy enough, right?

Good. Encouraging companies to buy American is a good thing, but to demand them to only buy American would be a stupid thing.

Mr. Coffee Nerves: LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

This. I'm planning on two major purchases this year -- three if the central air finally goes tits-up -- and the "made in America" options are slim.

1) a big honkin' TV -- does ANYONE make LCD or plasma TVs in the states?


Pioneer currently manufacturers its Plasma TVs in the USA, from Japanese components. You can get both 50" and 60" panels from them, in different quality grades; even their low-end line is considered to be the golden standard against which all other panels are measured.

Their 50" Kuro goes for around $2k; the 60" goes for around the low to mid $3k range. Add $1200 to move up each to "Elite".

The picture is phenomenal. My DirecTV installer sat, entranced, for almost two hours after getting my stuff working. It was the first Pioneer he'd seen, and he was just flabbergasted.

//loves my plasma
///but not in that AVS Forum crazy way

Mr. Coffee Nerves: LaChanz: The list of things American to buy is getting shorter and shorter.

This. I'm planning on two major purchases this year -- three if the central air finally goes tits-up -- and the "made in America" options are slim.

1) a big honkin' TV -- does ANYONE make LCD or plasma TVs in the states?
2) a new car -- I'm looking for a mid-sized sedan, but I'm not sure the Lincoln MKS or Caddy CTS are even 100% American-made, let alone stand up to the Merc E-Class, Lexus GS or Audi A6 (advice definitely appreciated).
3) the air conditioner -- I want to get another Carrier to replace the one I have that's long past its design life. At least I'm fairly sure THAT is American made.

Granted, this stimulus package is talking about "ok, we're repairing a bridge, so let's use American components while American workers are building it" so it's a bit different, but...I really wish we made more stuff here.

try a Hyundai....How abut "Try AMerican" instead of Buy American

DarnoKonrad: Smacky the Frog: Gotta keep China happy, ya know.

ha ha ha (new window) He's pretty happy.

I watched 2:30 of that (16 + minutes long). I think I get the point. We be farked.

Smacky the Frog: I watched 2:30 of that (16 + minutes long). I think I get the point. We be farked.

It is a good video though, Look how U.S. media tries to shield us from the chineese Communist titan! At this point I wonder which country has the bigger Great firewall.

Smacky the Frog: DarnoKonrad: Smacky the Frog: Gotta keep China happy, ya know.

ha ha ha (new window) He's pretty happy.

I watched 2:30 of that (16 + minutes long). I think I get the point. We be farked.

It's pretty funny. And I like the music ;P

How can anyone be expected to buy American when corporate America has shipped all those jobs and products overseas?

/yeah, it's the Mexicans that are taking your jobs
//Ameritards deserve what they get

let's play nice. who needs a manufacturing base. we can sell oranges, apples and cotton. just like our fore-fathers did.

good to see we have a "leader" who stands by his word and is dedicated to the american people first.

How about only U.N.-approved countries only? That will rectify everything.

good, the buy american stuff was retarded, now is no time for protectionism.

tgregory: good to see we have a "leader" who stands by his word and is dedicated to the american people first.

it's the toyota republicans fault.

Thinking of buying American soon...

Any of you Farkers shot one?

Yes, Buy American - we am the bestest..

Well like dick cheney said the other day, what this country needs is another terrorist attack. A buy American; buy freedom, pro democracy stimulus plan would blow right through congress.

me_the_farker: As for the T.V you might want to try VIZIO I think they are American made.


American company selling Chinese sourced TVs, I'm pretty sure.

Death to America: Well like dick cheney said the other day, what this country needs is another terrorist attack. A buy American; buy freedom, pro democracy stimulus plan would blow right through congress.

Not to mention we'd get that 'police state' he's been wishing/working for for the past 7 1/2 years.

Why does John McCain hate America?

Saying that the "Buy American" clause would encourage protectionism is like saying that TARP funds should have been dealt out equally to pay executive bonuses at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Deutsche Bank because to do otherwise would be unfair to our trade partners.

It's a freaking spending bill designed to fritter away American taxpayer dollars on Democratic Party-aligned American business and infrastructure projects. Let's just call it what it is. It's not a law forbidding free trade with other countries. I don't think this stimulus package is worth a damn, but the Republicans aren't the white knights here, they are just looking for any way to torment Obama until their corporate backers get a slice of the pie. NOBODY gives a shiat about the big picture here.

Obviously: How about only U.N.-approved countries only? That will rectify everything.

Yeah, great. Every time I go out to buy a toaster, I'll have to wait for a strongly-worded letter first.

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act would like a word with you.

/That worked right????

This stimulus package should be scrapped, and the entire trillion dollars should be transferred to my bank account. Then I will use my wisdom to distribute the money to where it will do the most good.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a castle to design.

Code_Archeologist: I would just be happy if we traded with equal partners. There is no way that an American worker can compete with a worker in some 3rd world nation that works for $3.00 a day.

This is the biggest problem. If the US worked in concert with all other developed nations, they could force universal safety and labour standards on the rest of the world. They don't, because big donors are making big money on cheap labour elsewhere in the world.

IXI Jim IXI: Why does John McCain hate America?

Have you seen the electronics coming out of Vietnam lately? How can you blame him? Top notch stuff.