Hello World!
I would like to introduce AllAmericanAutoBlog to the world . To explain the purpose and what I hope to accomplish with this blog. For over six months I have driven across this great country, trying to be a long haul truck driver. During those months I've come to notice many things on our roads. It has not been very pretty for the American auto industry, Asian cars by far out number American cars, mostly Toyota's, followed close behind by Honda, then Nissan. It occurred to me that, this is just so wrong, it should not be happening here in America the birthplace of the auto industry.What I'm advocating is, Americans once again supporting our industry, starting with the Auto industry, it will be good for the country as a whole. An American car Renaissance, which will help the steel industry, bring back other manufacturing jobs that support the industry. It will create a domino effect. It may even change our focus on the state of the economy. I'm not expecting an panacea, just a new beginning of taking pride on America and made in America. Words that at one time meant something especially to our parents who sacrificed to make this country great. We have sold out our country, now is the time for us to simply stop it. When you look to purchase that next car, ask yourself this question, who will it benefit, the US or some other country? Yea, Yea, I hear those of you out there shouting about globalization. I don't buy it, if it were balanced we would have a greater share of the markets than we do, there would be fewer restrictions on American exports.
How is it possible for countries about the size of California to out produce and out sell the greatest country in the world? One answer can be found at this link, jama.org/about/industry.htm. They say it better than I ever could. The other answer, is us, we have allowed it to happen, in some instances we make it happen. We've sold our industries to them, for example, we no longer make televisions here in this country, even though we invented them, sewing machines, nope. I can't think of any small appliances that are manufactured here, Litton industries invented the microwave oven, are any of them manufactured here? I don't think so. Singer sewing machines, no longer owned by an American, owned by a Japanese company.
Maybe someone out there can answer this question. How is that a country without any natural resources such as Oil, or Gas, no Forrest, no natural ores such as Iron, Copper, Aluminum out produce any country with out such a problem? Sure makes me wonder how it is possible?
I would love to here from others, give me your opinion, or ideas on how we may be able to turn around this situation before it is too late for our economy.
Chil's Ride's
2 comments:
America has not lost the race. It is only competing on higher value. In early history, man relied on physical strength for the basic energy of production, mainly food by first hunting and gathering. With the development of agriculture, life became more predictable, which allowed for the separation of tasks and a creation of specialization, such as builders, herders, scribes, teachers and others with continued development and greater specialization over the last seven thousand years. Advancement went hyper with the domestication of the horse, pig, ox and other animals used for both food and power.
The American automobile is just a notable way point in the progression. First cars were assembled by craftsman with skills honed from the age of horse-drawn carriages. Henry Ford changed all that with the development of the production line. Each employee needed just a few skills to function in his small universe of the production line.
These techniques were deployed to mass produce the mind-boggling numbers of consumer good and products we have today. The production line and manufacturing themselves were not immune from these advances. It has become easier to replace human skill and muscle with capital and digital automation.
The resulting affect has be an increasing in the value of human creativity and innovation in American and a diminution of value of skill and muscle in the American economy.
Today, it is hard to define an American car. Parts are produced worldwide and economies of scale has resulted in some foreign made cars having more American components than their American counter-parts.
The real questions are: What is an American? And should anyone care?
The march of progress of the last seven thousand years will not care a wit about the American Automobile. It is just another historic sign-post from the hammer to the supper computer on man's journey from the cave to the stars.
Hello Stephanie & Rudy
Thanks for the post, it's like your Kilroy was here.
I agree with most of your arguments, that is not the point of the original post. The meaning was simply this; our economy is in shambles, and has been for some time. Job losses are at an all time high, and yet while I was on the road I witnessed plant closings, reduction of the work force, while at the same time working the remaining workers harder than ever. Sure the world has made great strides in automation and technology, but at what price. We're loosing pride in workmanship, of the ownership in the products we produce. I've been inside of over two dozen plants and warehouses, like Nabisco, Jim Beam, Werner Ladders, just to name a few. The workers on the job were doing at least two jobs sometimes more, the stress level was fairly high. I worked for Lockheed, it was mandatory for us to work 58 hours a week, 10 hrs daily, 8 on Sat. That summer we had two ladies pass out at their stations, another had a nervous breakdown. On the job accidents and injuries were very high, but at the same time they were reducing the number of workers. They put out a list each week, if your name was on it, you had to check to see when your last day of work would be, which adds to the stress.
On the subject of Globalization, Globally products are being manufactured all around the would, with one exception, here in America, you made this point in your post. Not all of us can qualify for those high tech jobs or where there is a lot of automation, besides the fact that automation reduce the need for a robust work force or companies use that as an excuse to keep the workforce low. The second part of the global market issue is who are we kidding, it has been used to keep American goods and products out. NAFTA, great for the countries in South America, especially Mexico. As a truck driver we could only drive our trucks to the border, drop our trailers to allow for Mexican drivers to take them across, at the same time we would pick up the empty trailer they brought back. When I check the labels to see where my purchase was made, I see made in Mexico, China, Poland, just to name a few. Sure the products are cheap for the most part, but at the same time products we export is too expensive due to restriction for the average citizen to be able to afford, so we look like the big greedy Americans.
I think you guys made your comments about being an American to get my reaction, so here goes.
The rest of the world defines who we are to a certain point. The world shown in Star Trek is a long ways off. The people of the world are seeing the benevolent side of who we are. The people of Chile and Haiti will now have a worm place in their hearts for us, now that we are there in their need in this crisis. Two major earthquakes just weeks apart, that's tough for any country to have to deal with. Stephanie can tell you better than I could what it means to be an American, I will say this, volunteering for the Marines I swore an oath of allegiance to defend my country with my life. We're the only country in the world that can't be defined by any one cultural norm, of which I'm proud of.
Thank you for leaving your post will check back with you later.
Chil's Rides
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