Solar, Generators, All Things Chinese...

mlts22 wrote:
I'd rather buy a US-made item (and to a lesser extent Mexico and China), union or no, rather than one made offshore any day. Just because when one buys that Chinese item, that money goes to China, never comes back to the US, and the money goes to help Chinese infrastructure and their military.

I wouldn't mind some protective tariffs. I wouldn't mind seeing some revenue tariffs from Chinese imports in general, because that is how the US made most of its income pre-WWI. Tariffs ensured Harley still exists when inundated by cheap imports, so they are good for something, as without them, we would have lost completely the motorcycle industry.

Every time we get stuck with a "free trade" treaty, quality of life takes a knock across the US. We need to move in the opposite direction, so jobs stay in the US, and don't wind up going to wherever has the most lax environmental/labor laws.

JMHO, manufacturing capacity is essential to the US staying relevant as a world power. It might pinch for a bit not having the cheap stuff coming from overseas, but in the long run, keeping money here to pay for US jobs and buying power is an overall good thing.

Harley really isn't a good example, not in terms of quality anyways. In fact they sold their designs to Japan, which in those days, Japan 'improved' the design... The only time Harley won anything on a world standard was I believe 1940-1945, can you guess why...

Yes, Harley was a big proponent of the tariffs and as you say, if it wasn't for the tariffs, Harley wouldn't have made it...
Hogs and bone shakers were not a compliment as people like to think today. Mass production ability for WWI is what made Harley. Look it up...

Harley does have one of the most successful advertising campaigns in US history though, not far behind Santa Claus/Coke and DeBeers diamonds. Yes, advertising is why a woman can't be married without a diamond engagement ring... Never underestimate the power of advertising...