U.S Dept. of Commerce figures show 77% of copper is imported, 55% of "general electrical equipment", 80% of lighting fixtures & lamps. When will the EC's need to learn chinese and mexican?
Rowdy

It seems to be a common trend as Western countries seek cheap labor costs.

Off-topic but slightly related, I was reading some articles about old cars the other day. Apparently in the late 1950s more than 98% of vehicles on the road in the U.S. were American made. Anyone have the latest figure? I'd wager it's a fair bit less than that today.

*very off topic as electrical stuff goes*

paul--

i dont know exactaly what the figures are, but most foreign automakes, honda, toyota and the like, build their cars here, and unfortunatley due to the tax incentives, the big 3 are sending all their jobs to canada and mexico....maybe one day our cars will get made here again....atleast i hope so for the sake of our economy.....

Rob

I'll tell you what, China is sucking up so many manufacturing jobs that Mexico is concerned about jobs being siphoned away. (Sound of violins & a weepy steel guitar in the backround).

Paul,

It isn't just the cheap labor costs, its the low cost of the product. There is way too much of a Wal Mart mentality in the U.S.

Using online inflation calculators, I find that I don't make a whole lot more than my Father did. However, I can sure buy a lot more, thanks to lower prices.

If I have a hard time getting my customers to upgrade to a better outlet ($1 Vs $0.39), I can't imagine them paying an extra few bucks for American made blue jeans (the last US blue jeans plant closed last year).

I better stop now, this is a touchy subject, with me and others.

Tom

A touchy subject indeed. I used to be very outspoken about this but I've come to accept that this is the reality of capitalism and living in the U.S.

Before we start ranting about China, lets just remember that they are suffering from many growing pains in their industrialization, much like the U.S. did many years ago.

Peter