For CUCV2, I'm hoping the comment about learning as you mature was sent out as a broad comment, and not directed specifically at me. As a child of the 50's, I suspect I am older than you, or at least in a similar age bracket. Most of my maturing has already taken place, although the learning never stops until the permanent dirt nap arrives. As for capitalism, there is a bit of a conflict with your idea that having a gap between rich and poor goes against capitalism. In fact, the closing of the gap between rich and poor is the prime goal of socialism and communism. Socialism is the collective ownership and distribution of goods, controlled by the "state", and a disdain for private property. Communism is the complete elimination of private property by redistributing wealth all under the auspices of a single authoritarian one party government.
Both socialism and communism seek to eliminate the differences between rich and poor. But, you then go on to speak of making choices, neither of which are possible in a socialistic or communistic society. I agree that supporting the home team is a good theory. In fact, I try to shop in my home town as much as possible in order to keep my tax dollars in my local government. This way those tax dollars go towards parks, roads, etc. that I benefit from. However, I don't shop locally when I can get the same goods cheaper elsewhere. Spending hard earned money on something more expensive, just to support the home team, is foolish. And, it is a form of welfare for those companies that cannot seem to compete. By paying a higher price for something made in America, that you may be able to buy from a foreign source with the same quality, you take away the incentive for that American company to be competitive. Why strive to make a good product at at a competitive price when some fool will pay more just to see a Made in U.S.A. sticker on the item.
Now, if the quality is much better, then I expect to pay more. I think that is fair. And, I would prefer to buy something made in the U.S., given the choice. However, there is a reason that BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Porsche, and other foreign cars, cost so much but yet sell quite well in America. The quality exceeds American made cars. Once again, capitalism in action. As for global economy being a reality, here is a quote from Wikipedia:
"The rise of technology has allowed our environment to be characterized as a global one. “The global economy" gave business the ability to market products and services all over the globe. It has also allowed them to develop partnerships and alliances throughout the world, which has become essential for success in today’s business.”Prior to Globalization, the United States dominated the global economy. In recent years, however, the U.S. share of the global economy has shrunk to approximately 25%. This trend is expected to continue as the economies of many newly industrialized countries continue to grow at a faster rate."
There are many more sources I could quote from, but it isn't my job to do someone else's homework. A simple Google search on globalization and global economy will provide a plethora of articles for consumption. If you do not believe that the U.S. has to recognize the significant changes taking place in the world of business, there is nothing I can quote or post to change your mind. Isolationism, while appealing to my patriotism and my disdain for some other countries (France to name one), is a dead end road.
For Fireplug, a quick search on standards of living will show you several websites and studies that rank the U.S. quite highly by comparison to other world nations. mapsoftheworld.com ranks the top then standards of living by country as Norway, Sweden, Canada, Belgium, Australia, U.S., Iceland, Netherlands, Japan, Finland. No China or Cuba in that list. A stop into mercer.com will enlighten you on world city rankings for health and sanitation. You will find China and Cuba rank very low in this regard, while the U.S. and Europe are quite high.
Here is a quote from Wikipedia:
"The standard of living in the United States is one of the top 15 in the world by the standard economist measure of standard of living. Per capita income is high but also less evenly distributed than in most other developed countries; as a result, the United States fares particularly well in measures of average material well being that do not place weight on equality aspects.
On comprehensive measures such as the UN Human Development Index the United States is always in the top ten, currently ranking number eight. Scandinavian countries, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Australia, and (until recently) Japan; Canada and Norway have alternately held the top spot for some time. On the Human Poverty Index the United States ranked 16th, one rank below the United Kingdom and one rank above Ireland. On the Economist's quality-of-life index the United States ranked 13, in between Finland and Canada, scoring 7.6 out of a possible 10. The highest given score of 8.3 was applied to Ireland. This particular index takes into account a variety of socio-economic variables ranging from GDP per capita and life expectancy to political stability and unemployment.
The homeownership rate is relatively high compared to other post-industrial nations. In 2005, 69% of Americans resided in their own homes, roughly the same percentage as in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Israel and Canada.Residents of the United States also enjoy a high access to consumer goods. Americans enjoy more radios per capita than any other nation and more televisions and personal computers per capita than any other large nation."
Wikipedia goes on to say that the gap between rich and poor is larger in the U.S., and growing. However, since we are the most free nation, and the most capitalistic, this only makes sense. We are truly the land of opportunity, and the land of failure. It is one of the only places in the world where the playing field can be fairly level, and everyone can rise to the top, or reside in the losers column depending on their personal choices. I disagree completely that the world wallet is only so big and so the total wealth can only be shuffled around in different quantities. The ability to make money, and thereby improve one's lifestyle, is only limited by how hard a person wants to work. I also think we consume as much as we can afford. Certainly there are many who do not exercise enough control in their spending, and go beyond their means, but that isn't some U.S. phenomenon. That is just human nature.
I've been fortunate to live in other countries, and have also traveled quite a bit. Until you have the ability to actually see socialism, communism, or other oppressive societies in action, you cannot realize how lucky we are in America, and how much freedom and opportunity we actually have. I also have the pleasure of working with co-workers from mainland China, Lebanon, India, Tunisia, and other countries. These folks still have family abroad, and regularly travel back to visit. Their understanding of the U.S. vs. other countries is up close and personal. They would laugh heartily to hear any American sing the praises of China, or any other country other than ours. Cheer up boys and girls, life in the U.S. isn't perfect, but it is the best thing going by far.
Oh, and again, on topic slightly, don't use standard Craftsman sockets with an impact wrench more than a few times. They round out.
