Car held hostage by those building them, go figure!

[hitchhiker]

Car held hostage by those building them, go figure!

Oh well.

Some thoughts, probably too many... :nono:

I guess that my new Car is still being held hostage by those building them, go figure! :censor:

Sabotageing the business and industry of their employer and screwing over
waiting buyers really makes me want to support them; NOT!

If I didn't want a MM so much I would cancel my order and file a claim for
damages for being jerked around like this.

I guess I'll get my car when these spoiled people decide that they damn well feel like returning to their cushy jobs.

My occupation (Software Engineering) is not protected by a union and is being revaged by the hoarde of Indian and Chinese parasites. :puke:

Our American so called government continues to sell us out (middle class)

I wonder how much bridery money India and China are spreading around?

Watch out UAW and CUAW - India is now showing their Tata line of vehicles in international auto shows and China is currently ramping up to produce several MILLION cars a year by 2010. The only reason Canada produces so many former American cars is cheaper labor and the weak Canadian Dollar. That obviously won't last much longer. :argue:

Enjoy your 4 day weeks and inflated wages while you still can. :shake:

I wonder when Wal-Mart will start selling cars! :censor:

I had hoped for a pleasant distraction (my New MM) from the wholesale
corruption and decay that is the current state of our Once Great Union.

My MM will probably be the last new car that I will buy. I have several anyway.

The seeds of our end are now being sewn in Washington, DC on a daily basis
by those who will later live behind guarded gates while the former middle
class is left to learn the streetwise ways of the underclasses and sociopaths.

The 'largest generation' will find the well dry when they need it most!

Better get those survival skills honed in time! :argue:

What the Democrats give away to buy votes the Republicans will gladly sell to
the highest foreign bidder! :shake:
I hope and pray for the Next American Revolution. :rock:

I've already purchased my land in the semi-remote hills; Have you?

Ahhhhhhhhh Marauder, an automotive heritage from a time where nobody would have dreamed that our own leaders would bring about our downfall
in the process of satisfying their own short-term greed!
Best Regards, :beer:

The Hitchhiker

[cruzer]

As a member of the board of an airline union for 10 years and advisor for another 15, I could answer a lot of your questions. to put it simply ---unions were formed to stop exactly what you are talking about, corporater greed and government apathy. Then the unions were abused by their own, and the gov't reacted. We were reaching a balance when the foreign raping of the American industrial giant began--the gov't did NOTHING to discourage it and weakened the gov't organizations and laws set up to protect the worker. THe reason your industry (my son-in-law is an unemployed EE for last two years) has been ravaged is because you weren't unionized at the beginning. There can be good professional unions. I am appalled that the United States Government doesn't have the guts to stand up to the foreign raiders and that the American consumer is so loyal to foreign products and complains about the lack of home-made products---we brought it upon ourselves--Oh well, enough preaching ---really , enjoy your Marauder--it is a great , fun car and a hoot to drive--hope things work out for you--Old Man Maury :up:

[Bigdogjim]

Well if I though things were really that bad in the good 'ole USA I move:)

[hitchhiker]

Well if I though things were really that bad in the good 'ole USA I move:)
No offense Big Dog, but that's what a person of my parents generation would say.

Look around you at what is happening to our country.

You and I may be relatively comfortable, but what about our kids?

Best Regards,

D.

[merc406]

As a member of the board of an airline union for 10 years and advisor for another 15, I could answer a lot of your questions. to put it simply ---unions were formed to stop exactly what you are talking about, corporater greed and government apathy. Then the unions were abused by their own, and the gov't reacted. We were reaching a balance when the foreign raping of the American industrial giant began--the gov't did NOTHING to discourage it and weakened the gov't organizations and laws set up to protect the worker. THe reason your industry (my son-in-law is an unemployed EE for last two years) has been ravaged is because you weren't unionized at the beginning. There can be good professional unions. I am appalled that the United States Government doesn't have the guts to stand up to the foreign raiders and that the American consumer is so loyal to foreign products and complains about the lack of home-made products---we brought it upon ourselves--Oh well, enough preaching ---really , enjoy your Marauder--it is a great , fun car and a hoot to drive--hope things work out for you--Old Man Maury :up:



:rock: :bows: :bounce: :up: My sentiment's exactly.... :bows: :bows:

[sailsmen]

US workers are the worlds most productive. We also have the highest standard of living.

Either we lower our standard of living ( i.e. reduce wages and stop purchasing items for a lower price at discount stores) or learn to do things that lower paid workers cannot.

[dwasson]

From: Tech Central Station (http://www.techcentralstation.com/030104B.html)

By Alan Oxley Published 03/01/2004

It is a mystery of modern times that the US continues be the world's leading economy but most Americans do not understand why this is the case. They know the US is the world leader in technology and innovation, but do not know that having the most open economy in the world is the key. To stop outsourcing would be to throw away one of the keys to growth in the US economy.

"Outsourcing" means American enterprises give some tasks to workers outside the US. The controversy has been over services. Call centres in places like Mexico and India provide information to US consumers. Data processing is also contracted by US companies in similar countries. Why? Because it is cheaper.

The US is the world's best economy because it has the best services industries. These are the industries that get products to consumers (transport, wholesale, retail, marketing) connect people and businesses (telecommunications, IT), enable consumers to pay for them (finance) and educate, keep healthy and feed Americans. Most don't know this.

It is still generally believed that manufacturing drives America. This hasn't been the case for a long time. Over 70 percent of the wealth in America today is generated by businesses producing services. Last year there were 134 million workers in America. Only 15.3 million worked in manufacturing. About 2.8 million worked in agriculture and mining and 8.3 million in construction. Where did the rest work? In the services industries.

In fact, in 2001 and 2002, services industries kept the US economy afloat. This has been pointed out by Harry Freeman, a former AMEX executive and Director of the Mark Twain Institute. After manufacturing went into reverse in 2001, services still expanded by 1.3 percent, holding up growth that year at 0.5 percent. Of the 2.2 percent growth in GDP in 2002, 1.7 percent was generated by services. Growth was 3.1 percent growth in 2003, 1.5 percent of that was contributed by services industries.

The reason so many US businesses are bigger and more effective than competitors in other parts of the world is because they are better at working out how to be more efficient and how to produce things more cheaply. The cheaper their products, the more they sell, the bigger they grow, the more people they employ. When products and services are cheaper, more are affordable and paychecks go further. It is win win.

Evidently, not everyone understands this, including the US Senate. In January it passed a bill preventing public sector agencies from outsourcing services. Reflect on the effect of that. Take an unemployment service which had used an offshore call centre to handle calls. Delivering that service using US workers instead would cost more and take a bigger bite out of its budget. With higher costs, fewer services could be provided to help get the unemployed back to work. Was that the Senate's aim? To reduce services?

To many people this seems a new way of thinking. They will still ask "But why not keep the jobs in the US?" Wrong question. The right question is "What creates jobs in America?" The answer is services industries that keep growing by producing low cost services; trade is a significant component of that.

Here the cynic will say, "Wait, right now the US is importing more than it is exporting. Not only are we giving jobs away, we are losing the trade race." When we look at the facts, we find a surprise. Outsourcing helps directly to boost exports. While the US is exporting more good than it imports, the reverse is the case with services. Last year the US exported US$70 billion more in services than it imported. This helps counterbalance the deficit in trade in goods.

The US is in fact the biggest exporter of services in the world, at around US$320 billion a year. Little wonder since it has the biggest and the best services industries. Some of those industries would be less competitive if outsourcing stopped. Britain is the second biggest exporter of services in the world. The Blair Government just considered if it should act like the US to "protect" jobs in the UK. It concluded that doing so would harm Britain's trade.

World trade in services is very much to the advantage of the United States. The World Trade Organization now encourages countries to open markets for services. This creates more markets for US companies and was the direct result of an initiative by US services businesses in the nineteen eighties. If the US blocks outsourcing, it is blocking imports of services from other countries. Before too long, those countries will start blocking exports of US services.

Outsourcing is vital for enabling important services industries in the US to grow, expand jobs, provide cheaper goods and services to US consumers and to export. Why would any sensible person want to stop that?

[merc406]

:bs: Alan is NO DOUBT a republican....... :bs:

[hitchhiker]

:bs: Alan is NO DOUBT a republican....... :bs:
Yeah, What Said!

We have had enough of Bush's "Leave No Billionaire Behind" and
"Desert American Workers" programs.

We simply must throw this Republican Ba$turd out!

Modern Day Republicans are all about greed, not conversative values!

Regards,

David

[MERCMAN]

Me saintly mother has always said,, NEVER discuss politics or religion, it is a no-win situation!!~ :up:

[sailsmen]

The average political donation to the RNC in the last national election cycle was $49.

Donations over $10,000 totalled to the RNC of $111 million vs donations over $10,000 totalling $140 million to the DNC.

As respects the Kennedy/Bush No Child Left Behind Act the Greater Council on Education whose focus is innner city schools reports that test scores for 4th graders of inner city schools have improved as a result of implementing the act.

The top 25% of wage earners earn 65% of the income and pay 83% of the Federal Income Tax.

The Federal Government spends 21% out of every dollar in our economy, add State and Local for another 9% for a total of 30%. That leaves 70% for non-government workers and non-government benefit recipients to earn. The Federal Government spends $8,000+ for every man, woman and child in this country.

Defense spending is 17.5% of Federal spending down from the post WWII average of 35% and benefits are 56% up from the post WWII average of 42%.

Between 1980 and 2000 Federal Non-defense spending adjusted for inflation increased 162.5% while Federal Defense spending decreased 15% adjusted for inflation.

Government spending money is an inefficient use of money in that it has a limited multiplication effect. Individuals spending money wether they are rich or poor is an efficient use of money with a greater multiplication effect. Multiplication effect in that more people directly benefit from the money.

Prior Administration's unemployemnt for first 3 years in office;

1993 – 6.9

1994 – 6.1

1995 – 5.6

Average – 6.20



Current Administration's unemployment 1st 3 years in office;

2001 – 4.7

2002 – 5.8

2003 – 6.0

Average – 5.50

[merc406]

Me thinks you forgot a couple of things, 1st, the first years are leftover from the 1st BUSH years of unemployment. 2nd You ommitted the other 5 years for some reason? :eek:
The economy in general seems to have a down turn every 10 years and then slowly recovers. :rasta:

[sailsmen]

"Me thinks you forgot a couple of things, 1st, the first years are leftover from the 1st BUSH years of unemployment. 2nd You ommitted the other 5 years for some reason?"

Merely trying to keep things in perspective. As in how bad is the economy compared to the past.

When you examine our form of government, fortunately there is very little a President can do from an economic policy to affect our economy for the 4 years they are in office.

Presidential Executive Orders and Cabinet level implemented policies can and do impact our economy over a longer period of time.

President Clinton came into office with 3 straight prior 1/4 of positive economic growth and the current President Bush came into office with 2 of the 3 prior restated 1/4 of negative economic growth.

[woaface]

1.) A lot of things that are passed during different administrations don't take effect until the next administration. (takes several years to go into effect after passed...just mentioning)

*2.) Most of the things Clinton did to up the economy were Republican ideas...such as free trade.

**3.) From what I've read, most Conservative writers are displeased with how Bush has handled money, but are glad the economy is doing well.

* "Legacy: Paying for the Clinton years" by Rich Lowery
** www.townhall.com (http://www.townhall.com/) articles.

I never took a side here, but Pres. Bush isnt' exactly the poster-boy IMHO (ho's are very important in this thread) for conservatisim...I think maybe we could use a little more...that's all!:D

[dwasson]

And ultimately it comes down to one question: Do you believe that we are in a war with global islamic terrorism? If you don't then other issues may drive your decision. But if you believe that we are at war and still want to vote for Kerry you'll understand when I doubt your sense.

[merc406]

Hell I don't want to vote for any of them morons, I usually flip a coin. :shot: D.C. is usually at war with itself and don't need any outside help.

[woaface]

Yeah, it's moved on from being about Abortion....

You don't have to read the paper here to think people us...guess what, people don't like us.

Saw a 4 year old on some state run Saudi t.v. once. She was learning phrases like "Jew's are pigs and apes". :eek:

And no one here I think will start this "Oh, the U.S. is furthing it's standard of living while ruining the rest of the worlds...it's all for the U.S. at everyone elses expense" Last time I checked, the world is a whole lot better as far as poverty and famine and what not are concerned since industry came to power, U.S. and other wise.


TAF may be on a roll, can we start a political forum? I've seen that on a few automotive forums.

[MAD-3R]

And ultimately it comes down to one question: Do you believe that we are in a war with global islamic terrorism? If you don't then other issues may drive your decision. But if you believe that we are at war and still want to vote for Kerry you'll understand when I doubt your sense.


9 times outr of 10, I will vote for conservative canidates if given a choice. My biggest issue right now is that there are 2 or 3 justices wanting to retire. These are Judges appointed by Johnson and Carter. IF they step down while "W" is in office, they will be replaced with conservative justices witch will tip the ballence on the bench just a bit too far to the right.

This is what I want to see in a goverment make up.
Dem in white house this time around with congress firmly in Republican control. Nothing will get done. (less laws and smaller goverment) A balanced Supreme Court with a slight left tilt. (strike's down restrictive laws yet still maintains contenuity)

Being the Enlightened Hedonist that I am, Fredom to do as I wish as long as I don't harm someone else is my ultimate goal. :beer:

EXISTENTIAL HEDONISM - Party till you see God. :cool:

[sailsmen]

Government gridlock is the formaldehyde of freedom! :rock:

[Petrograde]

this thread should be locked or zapped soon..

[Dr Caleb]

The US is a big enough superpower to make War on War. Then there would only be Peace.

That being said, arguing on the Internet is like entering the Special Olympics; Even if you win, you're still retarted.

[CRUZTAKER]

this thread should be locked or zapped soon..
Yup...and before it does...I will remind us all of his censorship doings.:down:


We simply must throw this Republican Ba$turd out!

Oh yeah!!! GET HIM OUT! for this, that, and every other other freedom suppressing idea to wiggle out of his little uneducated mind.

[woaface]

Yup...and before it does...I will remind us all of his censorship doings.:down:
Oh yeah!!! GET HIM OUT! for this, that, and every other other freedom suppressing idea to wiggle out of his little uneducated mind.
Like I said...a political forum. Kinda keeps things neat and in their respective place.

Was that last one sarcasim? I can't tell:up:

I'm going off to the dragstrip!!!

[Bigdogjim]

Hey Barry: Ever hear the pharse your beating a "dead" horse?

[sailsmen]

As repsects threats to our individual freedoms the approximately 750 new laws the average state passes each year is a far greater loss of our individual freedoms than the Federal laws used or past since 911 resulting in 1,100 foreigners being detained/arressted.

[MapleLeafMerc]

"I guess that my new Car is still being held hostage by those building them, go figure!" (hitchhiker)

Meaning what?

****************************** ***********

"Hell I don't want to vote for any of them morons, I usually flip a coin." (merc406)

Sad, but true. Most votes are cast without thought. We waste what is precious.

****************************** ***********

"this thread should be locked or zapped soon.." (petrograde)

Petro, do you mean that when Marauder owners get together, politics is off limits? I love the car, but I am interested in other things!

[MapleLeafMerc]

US workers are the worlds most productive. We also have the highest standard of living.

Either we lower our standard of living ( i.e. reduce wages and stop purchasing items for a lower price at discount stores) or learn to do things that lower paid workers cannot.

Well put, sailsmen

[merc406]

****************************** ***********

"Hell I don't want to vote for any of them morons, I usually flip a coin." (merc406)

Sad, but true. Most votes are cast without thought. We waste what is precious.

****************************** *********


We do not have the popular vote here. :help: :stupid:

The last guy here was installed by his own party. :bs: :censor:

[sailsmen]

Our form of government is a Constitutional Representative Republic.

Meaning we elect people to represent us per a Constitution.

Just like the Senate is made up of 2 Senators from every state regardless of population we also elect the President with an electorial college.

We are not a true Democracy (aka mob rule). :bows:

[merc406]

Our form of government is a Constitutional Representative Republic.

Meaning we elect people to represent us per a Constitution.

Just like the Senate is made up of 2 Senators from every state regardless of population we also elect the President with an electorial college.

We are not a true Democracy (aka mob rule). :bows:

No we are a bunch of, of Marauder'ers :rock: :bounce: :up: :pimp: :rasta:

[sailsmen]

I love the Marauder and the Marauder Brotherhood and the Marauder Humanhood! ( don't want to leave out our female members) :D

[MapleLeafMerc]

We do not have the popular vote here. :help: :stupid:

The last guy here was installed by his own party. :bs: :censor:

I thought I followed your politics fairly well- can you explain that?

Perhaps you all would prefer the Canadian system where the Prime Minister can appoint anyone he wants to any job he wants, from the Supreme Court down to local candidate. :uzi:

[cruzer]

I didn't keep charts, nor did I have a computer to spit out statistics--I only lived it.I was born in Nov, 28--Depression in '29--grew up during and after the depression--my mother raised 5 of us alone--almost unheard of in those days--by the grace of God and some wonderful people who cared--we kids accumulated 2 Doctorates (MD and Phd) 2 Masters (History and Psychology) and me (an airline Capt who finished pre-med). I lived thru the depression, the Roosevelt years, World War II, Korea and all police actions since. My point is that I saw this nation rise to the challenge of WW II and the LABOR force of HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS saved the world's a--. If we had not had the MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY, you would be speaking German. If the HIGHLY SKILLED work force had not been up to the task of the Cold War, you would be speaking Russian. In the past 30 years , the Skilled Labor Force has been descimated by OUTSOURCING. We couldn't manufacture our way out of a paper bag. How long do you think "May I have your order, Sir" will keep a well-armed nation with a highly skilled workers from whipping our a--. You cannot defend a nation with "service" ---we NO LONGER HAVE skilled workers in large numbers--they are now doing "service jobs"--selling and maintaining things MANUFACTURED in foreign countries. What was bad about Americans working as skilled labor and being compensated for it , paying taxes, having good medical care and looking forward to a comfortable retirement??? You sure as h--- can't find that in the US now. I love my country and all four of us boys served our country proudly and with honor--I am ready to fight again if necessary--but I want a skilled person, not an order taker or a corporate executive who can put 3,000 people out of a job for his personal gain , fighting beside me..---THINK ABOUT IT !!!!! :bounce: :bounce:

[cruzer]

For your info--I am politically an Independent---I vote my beliefs, be they Democratic or Republican--so I have no axe to grind---hope I didn't offend anyone, but , sometimes you just have to get things off your chest---thanks for listening--now let's have some FUN :rock: Maury

[merc406]

Electorial College. :down: Al Gore actually won the popular vote but Bush was given the electorial college votes. :flamer:

It needs to be abolished as it has outlived it's usefullness in this day and age and is anti-democratic.

[merc406]

I didn't keep charts, nor did I have a computer to spit out statistics--I only lived it.I was born in Nov, 28--Depression in '29--grew up during and after the depression--my mother raised 5 of us alone--almost unheard of in those days--by the grace of God and some wonderful people who cared--we kids accumulated 2 Doctorates (MD and Phd) 2 Masters (History and Psychology) and me (an airline Capt who finished pre-med). I lived thru the depression, the Roosevelt years, World War II, Korea and all police actions since. My point is that I saw this nation rise to the challenge of WW II and the LABOR force of HIGHLY SKILLED WORKERS saved the world's a--. If we had not had the MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY, you would be speaking German. If the HIGHLY SKILLED work force had not been up to the task of the Cold War, you would be speaking Russian. In the past 30 years , the Skilled Labor Force has been descimated by OUTSOURCING. We couldn't manufacture our way out of a paper bag. How long do you think "May I have your order, Sir" will keep a well-armed nation with a highly skilled workers from whipping our a--. You cannot defend a nation with "service" ---we NO LONGER HAVE skilled workers in large numbers--they are now doing "service jobs"--selling and maintaining things MANUFACTURED in foreign countries. What was bad about Americans working as skilled labor and being compensated for it , paying taxes, having good medical care and looking forward to a comfortable retirement??? You sure as h--- can't find that in the US now. I love my country and all four of us boys served our country proudly and with honor--I am ready to fight again if necessary--but I want a skilled person, not an order taker or a corporate executive who can put 3,000 people out of a job for his personal gain , fighting beside me..---THINK ABOUT IT !!!!! :bounce: :bounce:

Cruzer, on the mark again :bows:

My Dad was born Nov. 12th of 1928 of Imigrants from Germany. :rock:

[Dr Caleb]

If we had not had the MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY, you would be speaking German. If the HIGHLY SKILLED work force had not been up to the task of the Cold War, you would be speaking Russian. In the past 30 years , the Skilled Labor Force has been descimated by OUTSOURCING.

:bows: :up:

Everytime someone walks into a WalMart, a North American Job goes overseas.

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

Well put sir!

[teamrope]

Modern Day Republicans are all about greed, not conversative values!

I gess I better remove the "Member of the vast right wing consperosy" and "Bush - Cheny 04" bumper stickers befor Indy :lol:

[teamrope]

this thread should be locked or zapped soon..
:stupid: What has the last 2 pages got to do with the delivory delay of a brand spankin new MM?

If you want to get whipped up into a frenzy and get your feelings hurt, the point/counter point forum on military.com might be a better place to hang out.

This thread is totaly counter productive to what I feel this site is all about, the comon love of our Marauders, and making the total ownership experience better.

Just because we have the same taste in vehicles, doesn't mean we all share the same politics, and it is highly improbable that anyone here will change my views, or I will change theirs.

[TripleTransAm]

No matter how offensive this thread may seem to some... y'all come running back in to see what the most recent post was saying, right??? ;) ;) Come on, admit it...

If one does not agree with something that is posted, there are 2 options: respond and participate in the debate, or ignore and walk away. But there is something in human nature that keeps us coming back to see what's happening...

Threads live because people post.

[Haggis]

I gess I better remove the "Member of the vast right wing consperosy" and "Bush - Cheny 04" bumper stickers befor Indy :lol:

Naw, leave it on I love a good conspiracy... :lol:




No matter how offensive this thread may seem to some... y'all come running back in to see what the most recent post was saying, right??? Come on, admit it...

If one does not agree with something that is posted, there are 2 options: respond and participate in the debate, or ignore and walk away. But there is something in human nature that keeps us coming back to see what's happening...

Threads live because people post.


Offensive, not to me. Politics always seems to bring out the best in people. (cough..cough)

I does not matter who lives in the White House the economy will go on. You will still wake up in the morning and put your pants on just like you did every other day in your life. You will still *****, shower and shave and get ready for work or school. Collect your paycheck and pay taxes. So continue with your debate while I sit back and enjoy the Fireworks. Life goes on!! :rock: :rock: Thanks Steve, I agree....

[PhkinQk]

If he was a tad more union friendly, I might have loaned him my 300A, lol. :uzi:

[teamrope]

[QUOTE=Haggis]Naw, leave it on I love a good conspiracy... :lol: [QUOTE]
Looks like we'll have to go out for "Hagis & beer at Indy" :beer:

Hitchhiker, I can understand your frustration...Once you get your baby everything will be getter, I promise. :depress:

[woaface]

I gess I better remove the "Member of the vast right wing consperosy" and "Bush - Cheny 04" bumper stickers befor Indy :lol:
YOU PUT STICKERS ON YOUR CAR!!!!

DREAD! ::flops over and dies::

[PhkinQk]

YOU PUT STICKERS ON YOUR CAR!!!!

If you paint looks like mine, I don't blame ya for the stickers, lol.

[dwasson]

YOU PUT STICKERS ON YOUR CAR!!!!

DREAD! ::flops over and dies::

When he's right he's right. Even me, the minarchist/libertarian/angry white guy would never allow a sticker on my car.


Except for the US Army parking pass.

[PhkinQk]

Well my dealer just agreed to let my shop respray my hood, so life my not be all bad in paintworld, lol.

[hitchhiker]

[QUOTE=dwasson]When he's right he's right. Even me, the minarchist/libertarian/angry white guy would never allow a sticker on my car.

No tacky stickers and no ghetto accessories (Bling Bling, etc.) on My Cars, ever!

[Silver_04]

The Marauder, politics, censorship, economy, manufacturing this thread has everything!

I go to work every day facing the prospect that my job may go to China. And really, it is just a matter of time before that happens. What am I doing about it? Working my a** off and trying to get further education so I will be a skilled and capable employee so I can show my job needs to stay here because no one else can do it as good as me or be prepared for something else. I encourage others to do the same. Yes the outsourcing bothers me but hey, it goes both ways. Honda, Toyota, and Nissan have all built new plants or are in the process of building new plants in the US and BMW is talking about further US expansion. There are a lot of foreign companies investing here. What are their people back at home saying about that? A balance will be achieved, but unfortunately it is a painful process.

We went through this back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when it seemed that all the jobs were going to go south of the border. Now jobs don’t go down there because Mexico is too expensive if you can believe it. And jobs are actually LEAVING Mexico. Asia is the next hot ticket-for everyone, not just the US. It's really an economic matter-globally competing companies can't afford to not be there right now, especially the way China's economy is growing. And after Asia becomes uncompetitive, then what? Those employees will expect higher wages and a better standard of living for their work. Where’s the work gonna go then? My real beef with China is they have no respect for intellectual property and, well they are Communist. I hope Western investment proves to be a catalyst that sets that land free by demand of the people for a better life.

Getting rid of the Electoral College would be a very unwise thing to do. It is not an antiquated system and actually serves the nation very well. The Electoral College is set up just the same as the House of Representatives. Each state gets a number of electoral votes based on its population. Therefore, the right and left coasts and the other handful of densely populated urban areas don’t decide the election for the whole country. Abolish the electoral college then might as well get rid of the House of Reps. Let’s have a few populous states decide everything for the whole country. Not a good idea.

And as a side note, if good ol’ Al had won his home state he would have won the election, without Florida. Maybe he should have done more for the good folks in Tennessee? And as a fun fact, since I’m from Tennessee, did you know Al Gore owned rental housing in his hometown of Carthage that was equivalent to a slum because it was so dilapidated. The poor soul that lived there couldn't get her house fixed until the press got involved. Yes, that is a man that is who has shown a mental capacity far beyond W. :shake:

If anyone wants a pretty good outsiders view on the US and our economy, pick up a copy of the Economist. It is a very well written British publication with a centrally balanced approach to evaluating essentially the entire world, and it covers everything. My $0.02.

[teamrope]

OOPS! I for got to put :Sarcastic: :lol:

Silver 04, well, I don't care for mixin' politics, but i'll say this. you're OK in my book :up:

Hitch, have you got word on when the hostage will be free?

[PhkinQk]

Well, if we all get a say here...........I vote for socialized medicine and education, lol.

[hitchhiker]

Hitch, have you got word on when the hostage will be free?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for asking.

I have had no more news yet.

I want my MM!

Best Regards,

David

[teamrope]

Well, if we all get a say here...........I vote for socialized medicine and education, lol.

If we're voting, I vote for free beer for everyone! :beer:

[PhkinQk]

If we're voting, I vote for free beer for everyone! :beer:


I thought that was a given, no vote needed there, lol. :P

[hitchhiker]

If we're voting, I vote for free beer for everyone! :beer:
I like that! :rock:

[merc406]

I guess I should know better 04, opionion's are like :censor: holes, everyone has one. :rock: :beer:

[TripleTransAm]

We went through this back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when it seemed that all the jobs were going to go south of the border. Now jobs don’t go down there because Mexico is too expensive if you can believe it. And jobs are actually LEAVING Mexico. Asia is the next hot ticket-for everyone, not just the US.


In this case, I've actually seen the same greed that sent the jobs down there to begin with, come back and bite them in the diff.

We set up an R&D center down in Mexico City. So-so quality output, but then they got greedier and moved to some hick town WAY outside Mexico City (Saltillo) to cut costs further. Well, when the economic situation is going well, no one wants to settle for a lower salary living in a remote (however scenic) location... so we ended up with an R&D center full of "numpties" (a colleague's favorite expression). That was some 10 years ago. We shut that place down 2 years ago when the crunch hit... it was actually EXPENSIVE to operate because the quality was so bad, it was costing us 2x or 3x or more just to recover from the crap it was putting out. As of 2 weeks ago, I actually came across some leftover crap they developed, as it kept me in the office until the wee hours of the morning trying to figure out what was not working right. Now THAT costs money.

Asia... right... Same story, I believe. In fall 2002 I was hit by the same situation as some of you. My job went to China. And while some of it was economics, most of it was a power grab by some dork of a director who was trying to build an empire. It all backfired and he was sent off in exile to Maryland, but the work still went to China anyway (thanks a lot, you freaking
:fire: :censor: :censor: :censor: ). And almost two years later, I am being sent to North Carolina next week to save their asses from disaster... the crap coming out of China almost cost us 2 customers, and I've been handpicked as part of an "A-team" to go in and get it done right. How much has all this cost? Well, some of what was sent to China is coming back to Montreal. And I will make sure more will come soon.

I'm sure it all depends on the particular work involved, but you can't put a price on brainpower.

[Bluerauder]

Wow, what a difference of opinions expressed on this thread. And, just think, we all appear to share the love of a common dream .... the Mercury Marauder. Maybe we have stumbled onto the secret of world peace and a vibrant economy. Oh yeah, it appears that beer plays favorably as well.

Personally, my views fall closer to those that "cruzer" mentioned back about 3 pages ago. But hey, that's just me.

Hope "hitchhiker's" deleivery problem is resolved soon so that he can start enjoying the thrill of driving a brand new MM the common bond between differing points of view.

[woaface]

The Electoral College is set up just the same as the House of Representatives. Each state gets a number of electoral votes based on its population. Therefore, the right and left coasts and the other handful of densely populated urban areas don’t decide the election for the whole country. Abolish the electoral college then might as well get rid of the House of Reps. Let’s have a few populous states decide everything for the whole country. Not a good idea.
The Electoral College consists of the House of Reps AND our Senators AND three electors voted in by the good people of the D.C.

:D

[Silver_04]

...And almost two years later, I am being sent to North Carolina next week to save their asses from disaster... the crap coming out of China almost cost us 2 customers, and I've been handpicked as part of an "A-team" to go in and get it done right. How much has all this cost? Well, some of what was sent to China is coming back to Montreal. And I will make sure more will come soon.

I'm sure it all depends on the particular work involved, but you can't put a price on brainpower.

Sounds exactly like where I work.

Woa, regarding the electoral college the point I was trying to make is that it is set up mirroring the concept of the House, and that is why every state doesn't have the exact number of electoral votes. And anyways the two senator votes for each state kinda null themselves out.

Ah, Dream Car Garage is on. I can forget the my problems for half an hour. Our neighbors up north make some good tv. Between Dream Car Garage and the Red Green show, I don't need to see anything else. Beer for everyone again! :beer:

[PhkinQk]

.... the Mercury Marauder. Maybe we have stumbled onto the secret of world peace and a vibrant economy. Oh yeah, it appears that beer plays favorably as well.

Where's Captain Video when you need him???



My car is in trunk lid surgery right now. (pacing back and forth) I'm sure all will be ok and who can't love the 20 or 30 horsepower gain, lol. :D

.

[merc406]

My car is in trunk lid surgery right now. (pacing back and forth) I'm sure all will be ok and who can't love the 20 or 30 horsepower gain, lol. :D[/B][/COLOR]

.[/QUOTE]


That'd be a loss in ET's, :cry: extra weight :lol:

[bigslim]

I have been away from here for a few days and I see all of my replys to this thread have been deleted. I just want to say once more that I am thankful to have the Union behind me. This is not the right time to work for a large company without it. Remember, the union brothers and sister you offend now may not spend in your sector again whatever it may be.

[UAW 588]

I have been away from here for a few days and I see all of my replys to this thread have been deleted. I just want to say once more that I am thankful to have the Union behind me. This is not the right time to work for a large company without it. Remember, the union brothers and sister you offend now may not spend in your sector again whatever it may be.

Big business is that, BIG BUSINESS, and if it wasn't for our union and others like it, the little guy might not have a chance for a decent life without the stress of job security and peanuts for wages. I'm trying not to brag; that is not the message to give. But I have worked for peanuts and got pushed around, it's not pleasant. We work in a dangerous enviroment and work hard. Why should big business make millions off our sweat and blood. Yes blood. In the last ten years we have had two of our brothers killed in accidents. Freak accidents they were. If the unions weren't there putting safety standard after safety standard, the man would do what they see fit. Yes, some unions seem to give the wrong impression, but you the public don't the whole picture like us union brothers and sisters do. I'm sorry if the union has inconvenience any one. They are only show a sign of soldarity, just like we all showed solidarity right after September 11, 2001. I hope no one has been offended buy my comments, and applogize if so. Maybe if there were more unions and the goverment would step up to the plate, most of everything we buy would still say MADE IN AMERICA. God bless. :D

[RCSignals]

Our form of government is a Constitutional Representative Republic.

Meaning we elect people to represent us per a Constitution.

Just like the Senate is made up of 2 Senators from every state regardless of population we also elect the President with an electorial college.

We are not a true Democracy (aka mob rule). :bows:

The electoral college was brilliant when implemented, and is just as relevant today.
It is what brings fair and true representation to the process.

[sailsmen]

With out the electorial college a candidate would only be required to win counties totalling less than the size of Texas!

With out the eletorial college the seeds of succession would be sown every 4 years!

[merc406]

I have been away from here for a few days and I see all of my replys to this thread have been deleted. I just want to say once more that I am thankful to have the Union behind me. This is not the right time to work for a large company without it. Remember, the union brothers and sister you offend now may not spend in your sector again whatever it may be.


I think thier was another thread that had a similar storyline that we posted to, and your's were on that one. I'll try and find it.

[merc406]

I think thier was another thread that had a similar storyline that we posted to, and your's were on that one. I'll try and find it.


Got it, Strike at FLM plant, in Community Discussion. :beer:

[bigslim]

Thanks Larry.

[merc406]

No problemmo, fellow Marauder'ite. :beer:

[jaywish]

I guess I'm a little late stumbling on to this thread.

Let me get the glass house stff out of the way. I work for a government. However I take my job seriously and hope it makes the country greater as a result.

But as to opinions (ya I got one to) Cruzer is right. It certainly was the ability to manufacture that has won most of the modern wars in this world. Many say that even applies back to the Romans.

It scares the heck out of me to watch China grow. Can you imagine the power that a communist dictatorship would weild if they got their manufacturing engine going? As far as intelectual work.... Lets say (no basis in fact here) that only 0.1% of the population produces ideas leading to the evolution of technology and manufacturing. Given the really disproportionate population of North America vs China, if they get a significant portion of their people educated we will really be in trouble since their idea men would outnumber ours by far.

Remember absolute power corrupts absolutely.
They already have told the world to stick it up our respective butts in that they will take anything they can from anyone to achieve their aims. China respects no intelectual property rights and regularly markets knockoffs of any foreign product with government approval.

In the future we may someday be stuck hopeing we can sneak by a few nukes before their defense system takes them out.

It is not that long since a few megalomaniacs have tried to rule the world. Mankind has not physically evolved since then. Our motivations, needs and egos are still exactly the same.

I am not as worried about Japan but we certainly don't have a level playing field with them. I'm sure you all will correct me if I'm wrong but.. Is it not true that foreigners can not own Japanees companies?

Most of this is just blowing off steam that I build up looking out at the asian cars in the office parking lot.

I am sad to say that I don't have the solution.

But I listen in case sombody does.