[CD]

President Clinton signed the NAFTA bill in September 1993. Has it worked as advertised or is a one way street where only Canada and Mexico truly benefit?

Have we lost so many jobs to NAFTA that it will permanently damage our economy?

[Sleepy]

..not sure of the one way street issue. no doubt your manufacturing sector took a huge hit. I remember when NAFTA's predecessor, the Free Trade Agreement between U.S. and Canada was the hot ticket. It was an election issue and basically, the banks and big money rammed it down our throats. Less than a week after the FTA took effect Gillette moved 600 jobs out of the country and it took me a loooooong time before I would even think about buying anything from them again. We had a good deal with the auto pact for a number of years. When Nafta came into effect we saw more and more of our manufacturing jobs being lost..and the only reason we kept as many as we did was based on a 66 cent dollar..can't speak for Mexico but I'm guessing their currency is weak as well. I would think that now that your currency isn't over inflated in value compared to others it won't be so attractive to outsource..not a bad thing. Your economy was on a roll for a long time..this last stretch was a good run even though lots of manufacturing jobs were lost during that time..they were replaced with different types of jobs..service sector etc.
Consumer confidence will define how your economy runs. I don't think that the jobs you exported has that great an impact..they've been gone a while..and I'd say more have gone to the pacific rim than to the NAFTA partners..that's where ours went..now, we're basically a resourced based economy and our dollar rises and falls on energy prices. The auto industry finds it a little easier..and cheaper to do business here. The Ontario government had given concessions to help keep some plants running by helping them upgrade. Health care is government borne and not industry funded..that's a significant cost savings.
I believe that the only person that can save the American job is the American consumer and that consumer should insist upon "American made" It ain't easy sometimes..downright difficult at others and next to impossible sometimes but the choices are there..in the clothing stores..furniture stores..auto dealers..grocery stores..[check out where some of your canned veggies and frozen fish come from]
Shop local and support your local economy where possible. There are cities up here where Wal -Mart cannot get it..no disrespect but the locals there like local content..and will pay more to keep it there.

[SK]

I lost my software engineering job at HP 4 years ago because they have outsourced 1000's of jobs..mostly to India where they pay em no more than a 1/3 of what they were paying me.

[GreyBear]

Yeah personally I am so tired of trying to talk to some chick from India that is doins a bad impression of a Valley girl whenever I need tech support. But it does bring up an interesting (at least to me) question. If they expect citizens of a country halfway around the world be able to speak and understand English in order to be hired....why is it that they don't at least require the same for the drive through person at Micky D's? Inquiring minds wanna know!

Ride Free....and SPEAK ENGLISH IF YOU ARE GONNA LIVE HERE!

[Killer-B]

Well, I called one of the "tech's" in India the other day about a wireless issue I had and it ended up worse then I started with, he then tried to blame it on me? WTF. Funny thing is, I could hear him fumbling through his scripts looking for the answers to my questions...I don't know about you guys, but, I sure would like to speak to someone in America once in a while. Oh well...

[SK]

Originally Posted by Killer-B

Funny thing is, I could hear him fumbling through his scripts looking for the answers to my questions... Oh well...

Well..the US companies pay these people about 1/4 of what they'd get in the US..so I suppose you'll get about 1/4 the knowledgable help? Hmmm......

[SPORSTERBOY]

Yes My Name Is Ahh-baaa-la-shalam My I Help You? Does Anyone Need A Yob. Press 1 For English? Should That Be A Option? I Don't Mis Az Or Tex At All The Canadians Are'nt Trying To Cross? NOT ONLY THAT THE COMPANIES ARE HIREING FROM TEMP SERVICES FOR TEMP TO HIRE JOBS THAT THEY NEVER HIRE. THE BIG INSURANCE SCAM.

[scooter]

Buy American.

Or in your case, Sleepy, Buy Canadian. Well put, sir.

That is how it should be. WalMart be ****ed.

I find it absurd that more buyers don't INSIST that the place they do business with carry american made products. I have raised enough stink in the WalMart where I used to live that they were probably glad to see me move. Oh well, Texas' loss is Ohio's loss as well...heh heh heh...wait'll I get my hands on THIS place...

Bottom line...if you don't like what you're seeing, then DO SOMTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!

Last time I checked...money still talks, and BS still walks...right?

scoot

[Killer-B]

Nice energy and enthusiasm scooter.

[chucktx]

Originally Posted by Killer-B

Nice energy and enthusiasm scooter.

i know scoot personally......and he dont just talk the talk.....he walks it too!!!!!
chuck