America’s manufacturing sector continues to struggle – creating just 4,000 new jobs last month according to U.S. Department of Labor data. In fact employment growth in this critical area of our economy has been at a virtual standstill for the last six months.
That’s no way to build a country, is it?
No, but it’s also not surprising given the extent to which production has slipped from its post-recession peak of 7.4 percent growth in 2010 down to less than 3 percent growth in 2012. Also the growth in the value of American exports is slipping – from 14 percent in 2010 to 4 percent last year, according to CNN Money.
Those are terrible numbers … particularly in the wake of last week’s dismal reading on overall economic growth (or lack thereof).
What’s causing the slippage? Reduced global demand – mostly from Europe. There, unsustainable spending on welfare statism has the eurozone mired in what appears to be an extended malaise.
But hey … let’s just keep marching toward welfare statism here in America, too, right? What could possibly go wrong?
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25 comments
I don’t think a comma belongs in the title.
Could be we’re in the middle of a computer revo;ution akin to the industrial revolution and machines are replacing people. All kinds of interesting social, economic, and philisophical changes came out of the insudtrial revolution; can’t wait to see what comes out of the computer revolution.
Grumpy Cat memes.
Computer and computerized robotics. Don’t need people when robots can do the job. One of these days people will realize that we can’t just keep expanding. Sustainable growth is a myth.
So Torch, when a robot breaks, who fixes it?
Who makes the robot?
Who creates the software to run a robot?
Who programs the robot to do a job?
Who creates the tooling to equip the robot?
Who build the space the robot sits in?
How much more would you like me to type?
?, nothing in your post relates to manufacturing per se.The point is Service jobs are the product of our economy, not manufacturing.
?
People with an education?
“?, nothing in your post relates to manufacturing per se.The point is Service jobs are the product of our economy, not manufacturing.”
You are obviously confused on what constitutes manufacturing.
“People with an education?”
EXACTLY! Although, I prefer to say “people that know something that’s worth money” as that doesn’t always include “education” as it’s understood today.
So where are all the Republicans? aren’t they the sacrosanct class that creates jobs? you know, sitting next to Jesus?? I blame Republicans for the withering. We need government. There isn’t a person in this state who can go without some form of government. Except perhaps a super rich man or woman.
I’m neither super rich, nor female, but I’ll take me chances with no government in a heartbeat. Government in any form is antithetical to human freedom. Whosoever would be a man must be an anarchist. Re the story, who’s going to BUY all these products when robots take all the jobs?
As if all forms of gubmint will vanish. Typical strawman nonsensical postings from a Po Mo Fo Lo Info voter.
I’d be happy with simply freezing the blood sucking gubmint whores in their tracks and let the economy rebalance.
Gubmint confiscation of wealth creator’s blood, sweat, and tears is just one of may factors in the withering.
Europe withering in slow motion under the weight of its confiscatory socialism is fascinating and another factor as noted in commentary.
Even libtards are flocking out of high tax states in droves, thus creating a permanent majority in the US House of Representatives for Republicans.
If only they could stop snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the Senate a reversal of Obama’s communist policies would have already begun.
James and Lance, there are places such as you long for. Please take your nut jobs friends with you. In the alternative, find a time machine and set the dial for 1850.
Golly vic, yet another post devoid of thought from a Po Mo Fo Lo Info libtard.
8,000,000 FEWER Americans working since the fundamental transformation began.
YES WE CAN’T!
vic, I don’t have to go anywhere since I’m capable of ignoring government. The mind is its own place, and in it, can make a Heaven of Hell, or a Hell of Heaven. So, eat shit and die.
“like”
I’ll tell you when we will start making stuff here again, when the dollar devalues to the point that shit in China or Africa gets too expensive for people to buy here.
In the mean time, remember that robots can be run any where and need infrastructure to do so…the elimination or reduction in labor input actually makes manufacturing competition with 3rd world country feasible(or preferable at times) here versus there.(this is all product dependent of course…Charleston basket weaving isn’t going anywhere yet).
It’s a complex world kiddies, accepting that fact and understanding the complexities surrounding the division of labor should make sane people hesitant to try to centrally plan the economy.
yep
Its a complex issue and there aren’t any easy simple answers
One word: AUTOMATION
The only way manufacturing comes back to America is if we devalue the dollar a lot (which would help the debt “problem” at the same time) and if we get rid of all those laws labor unions fought for like minimum wage, child labor laws, and work safety laws.
Obama is doing an excellent job devalueing the currency. This is one of the reasons a gallon of gasoline was the most expensive in 2012 than ever and is racing higher day by day.
Higher gasoline is perhaps the most regressive of all commodities thus impacting Po Mo Fo Lo Info voters hardest.
That his policies inflict the most damage on his most loyal supporters is just one of the many delicous ironies we that have functioning brains get to enjoy over the next few years.
YES WE CAN!!
ahhh James… using his usual fact free posts..way to go james..keep the lowest common denominator status you have so longed for..its really a race to the bottom between you and T and usually T wins hands down but you go boy..you are giving him a run for the money.
Gas is still 3 bucks in most of the US..its always higher in Cali and Hawaii but please put on your Glen Beck shirt and scream to the stars..and keep thinking you are smarter than everyone else everyone loves condescending and arrogant people (sarcasm)..im sure you think you are very popular as people laugh all the time when you in the room….they arent laughing with you james..they are laughing AT you.
Nice projection by another factless common senseless libtard.
The FACTS are:
The US dollar is crumbling.
The price of gasoline in 2012 was the highest on record.
Po Mo Fo Lo Info voters are getting hammered every time they fill up their Crown Vics.
YES WE CAN!
James, you’re encroaching on BigT’s reign of the dumbest fuck on here.
No matter what Government does, capital investment seeks its most efficient use. When Government interferes with that, the market price of the goods increases. If it can’t go up because of competition from foreign manufacturers, the buisness cannot make a profit, and so it dies or moves to where it can operate profitably.
Governments can, however, help bring manufacturing back in the US by making it less expensive to make goods here. That means lower taxes, less regulation, and cheaper labor — all policies that Obama vehemently opposes.
So when Obama says he is trying to bring back manufacturing jobs in the US, he is, again, lying or deluded or both.
Our corporate citizens no longer practice citizenship. Only profits are to be revered.
Manufacturing workers in America demand a return on their capital (which is their labor) that provides a living wage and perhaps a better life for their children. Corporations used to respect that.
Unskilled labor is ebbing and I doubt it will reurn to what it once was. High school dropouts and even high school grads aren’t enough to push job growth in the modern world. Also, many welfare recipients lack the basic skills to succeed and it appears to be very cyclical.