RWS
I am a Euro citizen living in Canada.. I know all about mine shutdowns in
England Wales, and the closure of the shipyards in Scotland.. I saw the UK
car and motorcycle companies fall to the competition from overseas.. my
family's business relied on car workers being employed, and when they no
longer were, that was the end of us too.. I had to go looking for other
types of work while learning and training to do other things.. a nation that
was once leader in the industrial revolution has been reduced to scrap,
scabbling to get a hold of the service industry because there is little else
left.. workers unions fought to save jobs and wages, but they were as
'corrupt' as they claimed 'management' to be..
I also realise that when wage levels and expectations get so high that the
unit cost of production items goes above the level where the buying public,
some of them on not such high wages, can no longer afford goods, the
manufacturers have to find ways to cut costs.. the trouble is that we get
used to a certain level in life, and when called upon to take reductions to
save a company, we don't like it..
If you pick up any Canadian souvenir these days, invariably, it will have a
label on it that reads "made in China".. they are made there because labour
is so cheap that they can afford to make, package and ship the items for way
less than it would cost to pay the expected wages that Canadians would want
for doing the same thing.. some of these souvenirs are sold in 'dollar
stores'!!!!!.. if you were visiting Canada and wanted to take a keepsake
back with you, would you rather pay $30 for it to help sustain the Canadian
industry, or pay $1?
At one time, Japan and Taiwan were seen as the big bad wolves, but even they
have been sidestepped now by Korea which is now seeing threats from even
cheaper locations.. it is not just the US that is or has suffered in this
way.. yes, of course it is sad.. of course, it is not good for any nation,
but as long as we want or demand cheap goods, it is the way that commerce
and industry will go.. maybe in time, the tables will turn and the 'West'
will become the place to make stuff cheaply..
I will ask this of you.. please buy a Jeep.. I want you to do this to
support the marque because they are struggling to get a market share.. if
Jeep go down, I will struggle to find a vehicle that can get me around when
Canada is snow bound.. I have a Jeep now, but can't afford a new one because
of other commitments presently.. I am not asking much really, just for you
to support an American company and the jobs there.. you will feel better
about it, and I will get the benefit of a good American made product than
makes getting around way easier for me..
Post back and tell me what you bought.. the colour and spec.. I love Jeeps..
the new Grand Cherokee is cool in Hemi version, and only $57000 here not
including taxes.. if I was paid more for what I do, I might even order two
of them, his and hers (fat chance).. how about it?
--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user