i work at a bowling alley, and where we get panels from (thats the bowling lane) is AMF, which is American Machine Factory, or at least i think thats what it is...something along those lines. well anyway, they were bought by an ITALIAN company...wtf?
well anyways, we've been waiting for panels to arrive for 3 MONTHS and just 4 weeks ago...and there suppost to be shiney...and they were really dull, which is very bad for a bowling alley. they were uneven, which they should be perfectly flat, so we sent them back. then just last week, we got some more, and the OTHER side was shiney, and we CANT USE THE OTHER SIDE!! so AMF has really gone down the crapper.

now onto the auto industry...those japs are once again, kicking our american ass (i didnt mean anything bad by the word "japs"...i just dont know how to spell the whole thing). i own a 1997 Dodge Status (which i am a BIG fan of dodge!!) and its manual. at about 84000 miles third gear, for some reason, just started to grind whenever i put the clutch it...dam

my friend has a 1987 HONDA PRELUDE, with OVER 210000, and is manual, guess what...it RUNS BETTER THAN MINE! these japs are killing the american economy!!
they are much more dedicated, work longer hours, and are flat out better workers.


im not trying to start a fight...but i love a good arguement...so thats my OPINION about our economy and why its going down...of coarse there are more reasons...but i dont want to type too much right now...i hope at least someone agrees with me...if not...that sucks...have a great nite!

Originally posted by jimmabean
i work at a bowling alley, and where we get panels from (thats the bowling lane) is AMF, which is American Machine Factory, or at least i think thats what it is...something along those lines. well anyway, they were bought by an ITALIAN company...wtf?

What's wrong with buying Italian? Or from any other country overseas? Trade and international buying help to keep the world economy going. And it also makes commraderies with our other brother countries.

well anyways, we've been waiting for panels to arrive for 3 MONTHS and just 4 weeks ago...and there suppost to be shiney...and they were really dull, which is very bad for a bowling alley. they were uneven, which they should be perfectly flat, so we sent them back. then just last week, we got some more, and the OTHER side was shiney, and we CANT USE THE OTHER SIDE!! so AMF has really gone down the crapper.

I routinely ship items from overseas (Korea) to the States, and it does take awhile to get there, and most of the items I deal with are rather small in size. You need to take into account the weather that is on the other side of the world. Bad seas and rough air tend to make travel long and arduous, especially if your shipment is going via a ship. Now, I'm not disagreeing with you that your product was crappy...but how do you know that something did not get broken, bent, mis-shapen while being shipped?

now onto the auto industry...those japs are once again, kicking our american ass (i didnt mean anything bad by the word "japs"...i just dont know how to spell the whole thing). i own a 1997 Dodge Status (which i am a BIG fan of dodge!!) and its manual. at about 84000 miles third gear, for some reason, just started to grind whenever i put the clutch it...dam

Yes, the Japanese (that's how it's spelt) do make some nice cars. Did you ever think that maybe you just suck with a 5 speed? Not trying to dogg you out, but maybe it was operator failure? I own a Ford Explorer (1994) with over 186,000 miles on it..I have had NO problems that I could direct towards the company...all were done on my dumb modifications.

my friend has a 1987 HONDA PRELUDE, with OVER 210000, and is manual, guess what...it RUNS BETTER THAN MINE! these japs are killing the american economy!!
they are much more dedicated, work longer hours, and are flat out better workers.

If you keep up with maintenance on your vehicle....if will last for you...I do agree that American parts are inferior to those of Say Japan, or Korea...but they are also cheaper! If you are having some problems...then just buy..say...an Aston martin V8 vantage...any problems..just send it back...ha ha ha!

Seriously bro...I know I am not explaining rocket science...but take into consideration operator malfunction, a bad part, weather..blah blah blah.
Good luck with future endeavors!

im not trying to start a fight...but i love a good arguement...so thats my OPINION about our economy and why its going down...of coarse there are more reasons...but i dont want to type too much right now...i hope at least someone agrees with me...if not...that sucks...have a great nite!

I'm outty..good night!

Originally posted by StretchUSAF

I routinely ship items from overseas (Korea) to the States, and it does take awhile to get there, and most of the items I deal with are rather small in size. You need to take into account the weather that is on the other side of the world. Bad seas and rough air tend to make travel long and arduous, especially if your shipment is going via a ship. Now, I'm not disagreeing with you that your product was crappy...but how do you know that something did not get broken, bent, mis-shapen while being shipped?

you just explained what is wrong with having most of our products shipped in from overseas. now, just think of how much chaos would evolve if a major world war broke out and the shipping lanes were in the firing lines. Would you be so gun hoe about this fanastic world economy if you found yourselve without work because the machine you used broke down and it would take three months for the parts to arrive to fix it?

and what if russia decides it doesn't want to ship our military the uniforms they wear anymore?? should our men fight in the nude for however long it takes for our government to find someone willing to take the contract?

our dependance on other nations is a problem, high profits just clouds the minds of too many people.

Like I said long time a ago when the outsourcing issue was Hot.

American doesn't belong to Americans anymore. Our country has been sold littler by littler by big corporate interest that careless for the hard American worker but profits are the only thing that goes through their minds.

Everytime a company is bought by foreigners we lose jobs and quality of products.

Cheap labor brings cheap products and still we pay top prices.

Sad situation our nation is into because American made is becoming obsolete.

[edit on 31-8-2006 by marg6043]

Originally posted by StretchUSAF

Originally posted by jimmabean
i work at a bowling alley, and where we get panels from (thats the bowling lane) is AMF, which is American Machine Factory, or at least i think thats what it is...something along those lines. well anyway, they were bought by an ITALIAN company...wtf?

What's wrong with buying Italian? Or from any other country overseas? Trade and international buying help to keep the world economy going. And it also makes commraderies with our other brother countries.

well anyways, we've been waiting for panels to arrive for 3 MONTHS and just 4 weeks ago...and there suppost to be shiney...and they were really dull, which is very bad for a bowling alley. they were uneven, which they should be perfectly flat, so we sent them back. then just last week, we got some more, and the OTHER side was shiney, and we CANT USE THE OTHER SIDE!! so AMF has really gone down the crapper.

I routinely ship items from overseas (Korea) to the States, and it does take awhile to get there, and most of the items I deal with are rather small in size. You need to take into account the weather that is on the other side of the world. Bad seas and rough air tend to make travel long and arduous, especially if your shipment is going via a ship. Now, I'm not disagreeing with you that your product was crappy...but how do you know that something did not get broken, bent, mis-shapen while being shipped?

now onto the auto industry...those japs are once again, kicking our american ass (i didnt mean anything bad by the word "japs"...i just dont know how to spell the whole thing). i own a 1997 Dodge Status (which i am a BIG fan of dodge!!) and its manual. at about 84000 miles third gear, for some reason, just started to grind whenever i put the clutch it...dam

Yes, the Japanese (that's how it's spelt) do make some nice cars. Did you ever think that maybe you just suck with a 5 speed? Not trying to dogg you out, but maybe it was operator failure? I own a Ford Explorer (1994) with over 186,000 miles on it..I have had NO problems that I could direct towards the company...all were done on my dumb modifications.

my friend has a 1987 HONDA PRELUDE, with OVER 210000, and is manual, guess what...it RUNS BETTER THAN MINE! these japs are killing the american economy!!
they are much more dedicated, work longer hours, and are flat out better workers.

If you keep up with maintenance on your vehicle....if will last for you...I do agree that American parts are inferior to those of Say Japan, or Korea...but they are also cheaper! If you are having some problems...then just buy..say...an Aston martin V8 vantage...any problems..just send it back...ha ha ha!

Seriously bro...I know I am not explaining rocket science...but take into consideration operator malfunction, a bad part, weather..blah blah blah.
Good luck with future endeavors!

im not trying to start a fight...but i love a good arguement...so thats my OPINION about our economy and why its going down...of coarse there are more reasons...but i dont want to type too much right now...i hope at least someone agrees with me...if not...that sucks...have a great nite!

I'm outty..good night!

i know its not an operator failure because i've had 7 different people try it, and its grinded everytime, so that goes to show that it is bad, and yeah its a big deal if it is italy, because our AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE GOING OVER SEA!! were losing jobs becuase of it and now that means our ecnomy is going down...if you know what im saying

Well, your mileage will vary naturally. I think what he is trying to say, btw, is that perhaps the years and years of operator error/misuse may be causing your problem - which is why now even experts with a 5-speed mannual transmission replicate the problem. My Chevy Silverado has over 100,000 miles on it atm and I've never even needed to replace the brakes (granted most of the miles are highway miles) - then again, your mileage may vary.

Toyota is now #1 in malfunctions or recalls/per unit sold according to a listing I read in a recent Forbes... So much for reliability. Plus, you can't say the US economy is failing when basing it on a company that isn't even American owned/operated anymore (the bowling alley product manufacturer.) - that would be saying the Italians are the mismanagers.

Very solid growth, very low unemployment, market indices regularly flirting with all time highs, per capita income (along with PP) at an all time high... The US also still produces the most bleeding-edge technology out there, despite what some seem to think (perfect example - who makes the processor in your computer? I'd place on money its either Intel, AMD, or Citrix...)

and i agree with you...but with the hole car thing...i think maybe once a week do i shift above 3 grand, and thats when im merging on the highway...i guess im just disapointed about our economy all together...i hope we kick it into gear...


and the bad thing about the italians buying an american company...

...THATS NOT SUPPOST TO HAPPEN!!!

were america...the "worlds strongest super power"...thats my only problem...nothing against italy...

I think you are on to something Jbean. But I think the USAs economy is tanking for another reason. DEBT!

Maybe that's the reason Bill Gates put all his money into Euros. Mr. Gates just might have the finest financial minds on the planet working for him. Think they might know something?

Of course the "elite" always prosper regardless of what the market does. But the rest of us better get used to eating beans instead of happy meals.

It's a brave new world; welcome to the monkey house!!

yeah...you make a good point too, our debt is...correct me if im wrong, but isnt it one of the highest in the world? bill gates is very smart...and i believe hes doing the right thing in investing in euros...cause there doing very good...i just hope america can strieghen itself out!

Just to add to the car talk.....I completely support Japanese built cars. Not because they are Japanese, but because they are extremely reliable, well built and great for resale. If Americans could build cars like this maybe the market would reflect this. I cannot understand the notion to support US made products if its junk, its simply not practical. You buy what you can rely on. Obvisouly there are those who have had success with american made cars but current market trends and organizations like JD Power & Associates show the real picture.

brill

i couldnt agree more...i love cars from japan...they are great cars...i just wish our cars were just a little better...

I thought Dodge was a German car made by chrysler?

International trade such as the auto industry actually helps our economy. As much as I hate NAFTA and anything like it, when Honda comes over and builds plants IN America, that helps us.

Honda produces alot in Amerca, so does Toyota. When you buy a Honda, you drive it till 2-300,000 miles if you buy a chevy.. like .. I did and maybe never again.. you drive it for 150,000 miles or so and it falls apart, mine started falling apart at 80,000. You buy less cars! more money for you, that is if you do not upgrade every few years and keep the same car.

The Auto industry is not that large in America production wise to sink us down the tube, it would hurt if they vanished but they make inferior products, the japanese make better products. Il buy the better product over the broken junk Ford pushes around.

well dodge is owned my that german company...but mine was made in 97 and thats when they started to have tranny problems...but yeah 120000 miles and its going to crap...not too happy

wow...you brought up some GREAT info...i agree with all you said (i didnt quite understand that happy meal and bean thing...can you explain? im a little slow) but its said that KUWAIT is expanding in texas...its really sad!


do you think its our leaders fault (George W) or is it our fault as americans???

Originally posted by jimmabean
...that happy meal and bean thing...can you explain?...
do you think its our leaders fault (George W) or is it our fault as americans???

Sure, Jimmabean. Beans have less fat and more fiber and can be just as good with protein and iron (such as combining with rice and vitaminC) as a meat-based diet. And, hey, you ever heard of a Mad Bean Disease? Food preference a lot of times is from what you're used to eating growing up, not necessarily what is healthier.

Whose fault?...both but I place more of the blame on leaders leading the sheep astray. Americans in general really are not as politically astute as they think they are. They've been told it doesn't matter who you vote for. (At this point, I think as long as the average American can have their Ipod [or other consumer item], they really won't care if they live with an authoritarian government. I hope I'm wrong.) The sheep have had their own wool pulled over their eyes. The wedge issues have been shamefully used!!! Used just to garner votes. Shame shame shame on those politicians who take advantage of citizens! That's the problem--there is no shame in Washington.

Maybe there is hope, as more and more citizens are seeing the light. Look at the public's response to the $100 tax relief for gas, offered this year. More than "Take that $100 mister senator and put it back where the sun don't shine!", the average citizen laughed in the faces of the senators. Slowly but surely the wool is folding back. Bleat back at them. Then stand on two feet and laugh at them, and their feeble, miserable attempts at "leadership". There are good leaders out there, who truly put public service above public fleecing.

yes, very good point. i believe that it isnt just "one persons fault", i believe that it is both the leaders fault and our own fault.
i believe this because, like we've been talking about, our economy is going down, for two big reasons, i believe:
our government has gone WAY too far spending wise, and now we are in a very very big debt, and our products have gone down quality wise.
number 2 is us. i think its kinda like a chain reaction, our government isnt spending money wisely and we have to depend on more forign products (oil, cars etc.) which isn't a bad thing, but for example, i believe we've became way to depended on oil. so instead of wasting the money on stuff that can wait, we should do more research on hybrid cars, or make a subsitute for plastic (which of coarse is made from none other than oil) and we need to spend A LOT of money on these. because thats the future of our country, and, i hate to say this, but i feel if we dont find a subsitute for oil, or cut back, Japan, Germany, etc. will take over (if they already havent) the leading economy, and i feel like the next 5-10 years will be big for america

Yes! Too bad there has not been a national vision for energy development away from dependence on oil. Drilling in ANWR is not a great vision, nor is another oil platform offshore.
Money spent on war to protect current energy sources could have been invested in researching and investing in energy alternatives. Conservation sure also seems like a great alternative to war. I don't think people die in such vast numbers in energy research and development as in warfare.

Kennedy's space program was a grand vision. What child now wants to succeed in science or math when this nation is obsessed with other things--gee, Mom and Dad, I can hardly wait to open a 401K!

When a politician touts his party wants to spend on energy alternatives, ask how much. Is it 1% of their energy policy, or a 100% commitment? It's like the difference between an aunt leaving money for you in a will--is it $5 or $5000?

Yes I agree most Japanese vehicles are superior
in fuel economy and quality of labour.

So as a consumer who strugles with their hard earned money
are you going to buy something that will last or something
that will likely fall appart while driving?

Consider the Safety recalls of imports (Japanese) against american
made vehicles...(Lemon Aid is a great start)

The Secret of the Japanese is that every Year they focus on improving their overall
quality. If the Quality of a product was 95% in 2005 then they WILL make sure
that by 2006 that number is 95.5 or 96%!

Can such a thing be said on American Labour?

But if your Goal is to support American made cars to support the economy then I suggest:

- Use synthetic Oil and Filter
- Change the Air Filter (mostpeople dont change it in the lifetime of their vehicle)
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Change your sparkplugs at least 1 once a year

Those tips will keep your engine running longer and give you better mileage because oil prices don't seem to go down.....

my 2 cents (which i found on the street)