BUY AMERICAN
During the discussion for the bailout of the automobile industry a huge campaign was started saying that American automobile industries should "Buy American," or in other words make it so that American car companies could only buy their raw goods from American suppliers. However Congress did not force American car companies to "Buy American" and still gave them 1.7 **billion** dollars. According to a CNN reporter manufacturing in the US midWest is lower than it has been for 12 years. (http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/29/news/economy/midwest_manufacturing.reut/index.htm?postversion=2008122913)
Did Congress make a mistake in not issuing a mandatory "Buy American" clause as part of the bailout agreement?
For
Side Score: 22
|
 |
Against
Side Score: 14
|
|
|
|
|
4
points
This is tough. If the car companies do buy American products, it would help the economy and would decrease the possibilities of future bailouts. However, the American car companies are already having money problems, and would spend even more money from buying the more expensive parts from America (That's why they don't buy American parts in the first place, it's more expensive). Because the money is being spent faster, the bailouts would be less effective. Side: For
Of course. But something needs to be done about unfair trade also. There's no reason that an American company can't sell a widget to the company across the street for less than someone in Korea. And you don't make it equal by paying Americans less, that does not help the economy at all. They should enforce taxes on foreign companies to put Amercan producers on an equal footing. Side: For
1
point
|
1
point
I have never been a "Buy American" person since that phrase entered our consciousness...and I believe the phrase was initiated by the auto industry when Japanese vehicles entered the market on a very large scale. Until then, the only other cars one could purchase were Volkswagens (very popular with low end pricing), Saab's and Volvo's (both high end small cars). It was only when Japan hit the market with their middle of the road pricing, high gas mileage and exceptional road worthiness did they cry out "Buy American." We had already gone through one or two gasoline saving emergencies where, depending on the last digit of your license plate number being odd or even, could you even purchase gas every other day with lines so long it was a killer just to go and get it! I had a Volkswagen Beetle in those days and had no worries. But this was still the era of the large car for the big three and they weren't getting the big picture here and they never really have. There was one saving grace for the large cars back then and that was they were still being made well but weighed a ton and had terrible gas mileage. Then came the let's build smaller cars but keep the top of the line era for the big three. They were the most God awful things to drive, look at and had virtually no road worthiness whatsoever. Add to that the fact that they cost plenty to fix whenever they broke down (which was often) and you've got yourself a loser. All the manufacturers suffered. Out of all the cars they manufactured only three were winners and would last until you ran over it with a tank. One, the Chevy Nova and the others were the Dodge Dart (Swinger) and it's higher end brother, which was a Plymouth of some sort. Buying American wasn't panning out for the consumer and I always wondered why the American manufacturers couldn't build the type of car that was giving them so much competition that 80% of the cars out there were no longer American! When the Subaru came out with a station wagon that had 4WD and was no larger than a regular car, there was no competition for it. That ushered in the Van era which then ushered in the SUV era which the Japanese also mastered in looks, MPG, road worthiness and all the rest. The big three answered the call with their own versions but they were animals on gas and still lousy cars. It was mind boggling. The big three can't afford to "Buy American" and it's not worth it if they can buy needed parts elsewhere that are the same quality at a cheaper price. The money they were given or loaned can go much further and perhaps save us a second bailout! The only clause I would have liked to have seen put in there would have been to see to it that the next generation of American cars are built just like Japanese cars are but with bodies of American design. Hell, I won't buy American if it's not constructed or built properly...why should anyone else until we can sell the American people something that is worth every penny they spend! A Free Enterprise System...that's the way it has always been and that's still the way to go. Raise the bar American Capitalists! Side: Against
An excellent history lesson. If car companies want us to buy American, they should make better cars. Edit: Oops, on closer inspection I see I misunderstood this debate. It's not, "Should you buy American cars?" it's "Should car companies buy American raw materials?" In answer to that, I think not. That will just make things more expensive by restricting the supply of raw materials. It's being in denial about globalization rather than embracing it. Side: Against
0
points
Yes they should and they missed that boat many moons ago. It's been a huge pet peeve of mine for years so I thought I'd add it in and end on point since it ties together nicely. Sorry if I confused matters Jess! One also has to think about the cost and quality of these raw materials. If they truly are less costly, will that savings be passed along to the consumer or will the end price reflect current pricing as though all materials were purchased here? Side: Against
If they bought purely American raw materials, they'd have to increase the price of the cars to the end customer (ie. the same people who have just bailed them out). Forcing the car companies to buy American could have a detremental effect to the American economy. This is the last chance for the car companies. They need to get people buying again, and to do that prices need to stay competative. THAT is the number one priority. Side: Against
2
points
This would make sense if the American car companies already had a competitive product, but they really don't. Recently, American cars are not competitive, but expensive and unreliable. The companies already are using the cheapest products they can, and are still losing money. If the companies buy American products, and then they cut internal costs that are crippling them now, essentially breaking even with the costs today, better designs and good leadership could bring these companies into the forefront of the auto industry all over the word, which would allow these companies to expand and in the end help the American economy all over. Side: For
"If the companies buy American products, and then they cut internal costs that are crippling them now" Or they could keep buying the cheaper international raw materials and cut internal costs. You're saying they need to cut costs, but at the same time you're saying they should buy more expensive American goods. There's a contradiction there. Side: Against
WHY SHOULD WE ? American equals freedom, so choose of what can be brought is decided by the customer choose. keeping the big three car makers into perspective we have seen that they where unable to meet consumers expectation where as there competitors where able to study the market and accurately predicted future trends putting them ahead of the league. By saying buy American we are totally relying on patriotism to sell our products. Side: Against
I'm attempting to decipher what you put because your grammar is so bad that I am having trouble understanding your position so please forgive me if I misinterpret something. WHY SHOULD WE ? For a number of reasons. But the main one I can think of off the top of my head is that since the exchange rate is so bad right now buying products inside the country may actually benefit companies and save them money in the long run. And also buying from local companies in the US will greatly boost the economy and make more jobs available as businesses start to grow and expand. American equals freedom, so choose of what can be brought is decided by the customer choose. keeping the big three car makers into perspective we have seen that they where unable to meet consumers expectation where as there competitors where able to study the market and accurately predicted future trends putting them ahead of the league. (See, this is the main thing that is confusing me when I try to interpret the underlying meaning so please bare with me) America allows the dream to expand and grow and make lots of money with a self-operated company, yes. The customer you are referring to right now, I am assuming, is the customer of the automobile industry right? See, the customer really won't care where the car came from as long as it is a car that he/she can cope with. And the cars will still be made in the same places, (as far as my understanding goes) but just the parts to make the cars will be bought from companies within the US. By saying buy American we are totally relying on patriotism to sell our products. Well all car companies swear they are patriotic, so why not give them the chance to prove themselves? This benefits them as well as the rest of our economy because as the economy goes up more people will be able to afford their product. So it is really in the favor of the automobile industries to "Buy American." Side: For
-2
points
0
points
I don't think you quite grasp the concept of the debate John. Car manufacturers buy millions of parts to build their automobiles. No one on the local level could ever fill their orders unless there are very large companies nearby to accommodate them. That being said though, and in general, this makes sense for some consumers. In thinking about parts and small machinery, shop items or hand held electrical and non electrical tools, it probably makes sense to purchase at Sears! I believe their Craftsman line is still built in the USA. They are of good quality and usually come with a lifetime guarantee. Even if you don't have a store nearby the Internet is always there to purchase those things made in America that are worth the money and are of very good quality. Side: Against
|
