The title of today's post represents a classic construction that's usually invoked to compare two totally unrelated things to make a point that can't be made in any other way. Some examples are:
If they can put a man on the moon, why can't they fix the DC Metro?, and
If they can eradicate smallpox, why can't they find a cure for the common cold?
To these, I would add another one:
If we can build a fantastically complicated mobile space laboratory, send it 352 million miles to Mars, and land it safely on the surface in an impossibly complex maneuver, why can't we build anything else in this country?
Ask yourself when the last time was that you bought a manufactured item that was made in the United States, including any toy, any piece of clothing, or any consumer electronic device starting with "i".
Betcha can't remember.
And then ask yourself why we have over 8% unemployment.
And then ask any of the people running for president* what - exactly - their plan is for bringing any of those manufacturing jobs back to the United States ... broad, general hot-air statements about tax credits and protecting job creators don't count.
Good luck getting an answer.
Just something else to think about in the 90-odd** days remaining until the election.
Have a good day. Enjoy your job, if you have one. More thoughts tomorrow.
Bilbo
* Especially Governor Romney, since he wants us to believe he can do a better job than the incumbent.
** And trust me, they will certainly be odd.
If I hear a Republican dis Obamaca.. Republicancare one more time I'm going to...... AARRRRGGGGHHHHH.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like some of the manufacturing jobs in this country are literally going South -- to the Deep South. True, they might be foreign-owned or originated companies.
ReplyDeleteThe loss of manufacturing jobs is due to the fact that it's more cost-effective for companies to use cheap foreign labor and ship here, and also that some foreign companies have a high tech advantage over the U.S. A lot of obsolescence caught up with us.
ReplyDeleteWe can still do those things, but farming out manufacturing jobs abroad is coft-effective.
ReplyDeleteWe're very competitive when it comes to desin and precision engineering.
I miss the old radios that were U.S.-made.
ReplyDeleteMike - come back tomorrow for my take on that!
ReplyDeleteAngelique - I don't think it matters if it's a foreign-owned company, as long as the jobs go to Americans.
Heidi - You are absolutely right. No argument here!
Elvis - two good points.
Duck - me, too ... I think. There was a time when we never thought about where those radios were made.