How to deal with decline in the rust belt?

[lovett]

And yes I believe laws should be passed prohibiting these companies from attempting to move out of North America. It would also put North America at a significant disadvantage if we were suddenly unable to produce tanks and ammunition because all of our factories were shut down and in now operating in China.

Im more content with machines eliminating jobs then companies attempting to please share holders with rediculous profits by moving to countries where they can pay people 5 dollars and hour rather then investing in technology.

No one should be allowed to flood our market with cheap k-car technology vehicles that cost below $10,000 and destroy the market for used domestic vehicles. Especially if we are not allowed to sell vehicles in their country.

Oh My. Are you familiar with comparative advantage? Actually, scrap that, are you familiar with any economics?

Because such a proposal definitely doesn't reveal it. Making N. America an autarky is not the way to boost wealth, productivity, growth, or much else for that matter.

It's a good way to impoverish millions of people, in both America and foreign countries. But I doubt thats what you aiming for. Protectionist policies like this seem wilfully devised to stop countries achieving optimal efficiency.

And as an aside, don't you think its slighly vindictive to prefer machines making things rather then foregners, especially since both routes loose equal amounts of American jobs.

The Big 3 are not going to go out of business simply because they pay people wages they deserve, their biggest problem economically is the lack of socialized health care in the United States.

At minimum feeder plant workers should be making $15 an hour, assembly plant workers are usually in the upper $25-30 an hour range. None of this is unreasonable, they were always well paid. Skilled trades should be in the 30-40 an hour range.

Why do these workers deserve such wages?

Why should the workers economic situation be more important then the consumers? Higher wages will be passed on to the consumer in terms of higher prices. Which will reduce demand. Which means inevitably some jobs have to be shred. How does this benefit anyone?

 

[JerichoHill]

The decline in the 80s is nothing compared to what has been experienced over the last 8 years.

I beg to disagree. The last few years have seen American car quality increase to rival Japanese quality. I do not think you have a good understanding of how the economy has been functioning. Besides, you just acknowledged my whole point anyways.

And further, I think its silly to set wages in different industries. Wages change due to a demand for labor and the supply of it. The US isn't a manufacturing based economy anymore. Those jobs arent coming back