17th Aug 2012, 10:41
Japan has been a strong ally to the US, and stood in the front line against Soviet expansion, and now Chinese expansionism, for 60 years. In addition to that loyalty, they have been in a 10-year recession, and with the tsunami that devastated so much of the country, why would you begrudge the Japanese the sale of some quality products? Don't our allies also deserve prosperity? Would you prefer social unrest and militarism?
17th Aug 2012, 10:21
No one seems to bring up pay. Personally I wouldn't want to start out 6 bucks an hour less in another remote plant and less benefits, as examples of a shuttered plant here. People will grab any job, and be glad to have them and stay. There's pressure from other countries besides Japan. Korea is an example. Everyone seems to have sub suppliers to keep competitive. Corporate is corporate; it's owned by a country. Anybody getting huge raises in manufacturing on here. Besides food and pharmaceutical? I am lucky to have a job, let alone have the nerve to ask for a raise in the past 5 years. Every year something is taken away. Departments closed, no more 401k matching, higher health care employee percentage. No wonder companies seek out cheaper locations, or move more and more manufacturing overseas. I feel our standard of living and quality of life is diminishing every year. So I quit buying imports.