I saw a show on the building of the railroads that said the Chinese came to the US to build the railroads because it was a lot cheaper for a Chinese to sail to California from China than it was for a European immigrant to sail from the east coast or from Europe around South America. The railroads didn't pay their way, and it was a lot cheaper for the Chinese to travel.

If that is the case, the reasons for Chinese building the railroads are vastly different from what is happening now.

You stated that those were the reasons U.S. industries are disappearing. If a union supports all these things and ends up disappearing themselves, then who caused the unions to disappear?

I am implying nothing.

I believe those firms do hire American workers.

Why is it so different they are still seeking the lowest cost alternative from their perspective. Where they sail from really was not the issue the firms wanted to build a railroad and found the lowest cost source of labor. The eastern portion of the railroad was cnstructed more by European labor than Chinese and thus they did not need to sail from Europe around South America to CA. Going accross land from the Eastern seaboard probably was not all that expensive and one could use a lot of river travel to do so if needed or existing trains.

Bryce

You don't get what I'm saying. It wasn't a question of getting the lowest cost source of labor, because the railroad wasn't footing the bill for the travel. It was a question of what labor was available, and Chinese labor was more available because it was cheaper to get to California from there, so the Chinese flocked there in droves.

Anyone see on the news today where General Motors is once again on the verge of collapse because nearly all of their loans are to sub-prime borrowers?

another would be to NOT buy chineese, taiwan etc. products. But everyone does.

Much of immigrant labor came to the U.S. for one main reason-the work was here and there weren't enough workers to do it. My ancestors came here because of the conditions ( famine and wages) in Germany in the 1800's . They arrived in the late 1800's. My great grandfather was a member of a guild (forerunner of today's trade or construction unions), and his two brothers were merchants and cigar makers. My grandfather was one of the original members in the UBC. I support trade unions not because of political reasons,but because they are responsible for training and quality of work as well as safety of workers.

So a low bid is not what it was 160 years ago. It matters not who is paying for the travel it matters who submits the lower bids unless there were no bids. When my son-in-law bids a contract he does so on his costs not the cost of his employees to get to the job site unless that is part of the bid and it typically is not unless people are locating and their is a per diem involved.

Bryce

i am not discussing politics nor picking a side or trying to make others feel the way i do but if u think our work force is bad now pay attention to the guy who is trying to become president now...not the guy who is....its simple facts that can be looked up on your computer about all the jobs he has sent away out of the country and pockets millions because of being in places that are exempt to taxes.................not a debate simple facts.........think about it

bandit come on now he has a r on his hat.be a party man and vote for the lesser of two evils.i dont think he has a chance.but then again either way we are screwed . we cant keep voting for the lesser of two evils and get away from evil it just gets worse every elections.

Right Mark. Don't vote for the lesser of two evils, just let the greater of two evils win. Smart.

You are right Mark. At least Romney has had a job, run a business etc. This administration is protecting the people who don't want to work and they want to take it from the small business people who do most of the hiring. Take it from a small business owner, if it continues like this, this country is going to get alot worse. Wait till healthcare comes into law, you will see inflation go through the roof because this program has to be paid by the business people through the consumers. Don't even get me started on regulations, come to eastern Kentucky and see how the new epa changes have devastated the coal industry. See how easily able body people are given food stamps, welfare, social security and disability. I not talking about laid off coal miners, god bless them and their families, i talking about people who can work and won't and never will. this administration is enabling this culture and if you can't see that negatively impacting this country, i feel sorry for you and your children and their children as well.

so voting for romney who thinks sending jobs over seas is profitable helps me how.he does not have the best voting records on guns.we are doomed regardless who gets in.sasd to say but the sooner we crumble or get sick of both partys and demand change the better.i will sit this one out or write a name in.i will not vote for evil.

sooo, who you gonna vote for that you don't consider "evil" ?

I take it you are a Ron Paul supporter who is going to take their ball and go home....?

Maybe Romni will quit taxing the jobs makers so they will quit leaving. Heck maybe they will come back. When the gov. Makes it cost to much to stay, they leave. Liberal are nasty.

Tim.

We should ask the foreign automakers and paper companies why they are building plants here, hiring US workers to do their manufacturing instead of shipping their products to the USA. We could learn some things about what costs more.

Bryce

I'm going to vote for the guy who will promise not to solve all my problems for me. This will be the guy that says; "That's your problem, not the governments responsibility!" Anybody got an idea when he is going to run?

Not sure what you are getting at, but Japanese auto workers make more money and have better benefits than UAW members. Building cars in Japan wouldn't buy them anything as far as labor costs.

Of course, they could have Toyotas built in China and shipped here, but I guess it would all boil down to whether or not the shipping cost of a vehicle is less than what they'd save manufacturing in China.

They could have them built in Mexico, but the Japanese and the Mexicans aren't on friendly terms, trade-wise. The Mexicans pulled some stunts several years ago that ticked the Japanese off. Had something to do with import tariffs.