Politics

[wesheltonj]

. . . and then have it sue you for wrongful termination the next day..

Well, not yet.

 

[Corey0372]

couldnt agree more...

we need to find ways to incentivize US industry to "come home"...

the challenge is a substantial number of US workers as a rule are turds these days.. and our regulatory environment has gotten completely out of control..

I literally had someone sue my firm a couple of years ago for "itchy sheets".. he claimed he was discriminated against because the company didnt provide him softer bedding to sleep on..

An attorney no shit had the balls to actually file that complaint and open a case against us in Virginia..

it was an obvious shake down attempt... we could pay $50K-$100K in legal fees to defend ourselves until the courts finally threw his nonsense out..

or we could just write them a check for $50K now and they'd go away.. (we refused to pay, lawyered up ourselves, and ultimately he went away.. but not before we spent a significant amount of money and time defending.. with several of our employees distracted from their duties and actual jobs while dealing with the problem)..

we arent a particularly large firm.. but we are also not "small".. somewhere in the mid market.. and without exaggerating we get hit with this sort of thing at least a couple of times a year.. (itchy sheets is the most preposterous we have dealt with in recent years.. but it is only one of countless DOL, EEOC, and court cases that have been brought forward that are completely fabricated that we have had to deal with.. when I say fabricated I mean not a single shred of evidence, not one corroborating witness.. NOTHING to demonstrate any wrong doing or any negligence in any way.. but this is unfortunately just part of doing business in my particular industry these days.. and is one of the motivating factors for us offshoring.. a significant number of our people today are NOT US Citizens..

In the current environment.. there isnt a whole lot of incentive for US companies to bring jobs back to the US..

where companies arent offshoring, they are automating.. while initial investment costs are high.. in the long run the self check out kiosk at walmart doesnt demand $21 an hour to check you out, and you dont have to fire it for coming to work drunk and then have it sue you for wrongful termination the next day..

The stuff you're talking about is the de-regulation that needs to occur within the US economy, and I think most business leaders do a bad job of articulating that (Vivek probably could though). When most American's hear the words "De-regulation" their minds immediately go to like 1970s level pollution of rivers and stuff like that, (which nobody wants to go back to), and not the overly litigious turd employee. I agree that stuff needs to be reeled in 100%.

I know @Red Leg wanted a response for his AOC reference (not taking the bait, hahaha) but here's one...... The Green New Deal (scary I know)

It doesn't have to be scary though, if it's managed properly. Our national infrastructure does need serious overhaul, and while you're in the process of fixing stuff, why not make it more efficient? Solar arrays over parking lots instead of cutting down trees, refurbishing hydroelectric dams or tearing down ones that arent producing electricity anymore (or don't depending on the ecosystem). Their Green New Deal makes everyone squirm (rightfully so mostly) because of how they articulate it full of nonsense woke messaging. But it could also be an opportunity to give a lot of young people a sense of purpose and service that's higher than their BS Uber job.

 

[Corey0372]

When government dictates to companies what to do it's not capitalism anymore.

Is offshoring American jobs and inviting foreign workers into the country Capitalism? To me that just seems like global mercantilism with a bit of disregard to citizens of the country.

When foreigners come to the US and do sheetrock for 15 bucks an hour they are hurting US workers. An American can't raise a family on 15 bucks an hour and an American should be able to raise a family by doing sheetrock, laying concrete, painting, etc. This was the case for decades.

The foreigner can raise a family on 15 bucks an hour... because his family is outside the US. 3 or 4 guys can get work permits (for a year or 2 or whatever), split the rent on a trailer for 950 a month in some small NC (or wherever) town, and send the rest back home. Whether it's Honduras, or Guatemala, or wherever. I have no ill will or disrespect for these people, I don't blame them for taking advantage of an opportunity.

When a company offshores its manufacturing, the American manufacturer now has to compete against near slave wages in Bangladesh. Not only that, but think of all the supplies a factory needs to keep running, boxes, deliveries, tape, etc.. so its hurting other stuff down the line too. Not to mention restaurants in towns, car shops, everything else that comes with it.

So while no I'm not for complete centralized planning, or state ownership of businesses, I'm completely okay with a more Nationalist/protectionist system of looking out for the American worker.

 

[Wheels]

For the Texan's here, will this lead to anything meaningful?

 

[mdwest]

For the Texan's here, will this lead to anything meaningful?

I dont know...

but Abbott doesnt bluff very often...

I seriously doubt we will see any sort of physical altercation between the TX National Guard and the US federal govt (federal law enforcement or military).. but I would imagine millions of our tax dollars are going to get eaten up by TX suing the federal govt and the federal govt suing texas.. all the while a few million more immigrants come across the border..

I pray that while our commander in chief clearly has no clue.. that our military leaders both in the TX National Guard and on active duty know how to not let this become an actual conflict that results in harm to any service member in any service..

 

[Red Leg]

For the Texan's here, will this lead to anything meaningful?

The easiest apparent solution for the Federal Government would be to Federalize the Texas National Guard and have them stand down. Though that would be a somewhat unprecedented "mobilization" of the Guard. What I'll guarantee you is that the State Adjutant General is dealing with some interesting phone calls and not getting a lot of sleep. Last time we had a State's rights issue remotely like this of which I am aware was 1860. This particularly interesting considering the Supreme Court ruling a couple of days ago. Hopefully a couple of adults will lock themselves in a room to sort this out.

 

[Tanks]

Companies manufacturing their goods overseas should be taxed at a rate so high it deters them from doing it. Same thing with their CEOs. I'm talking 99% percent if necessary, literally 99%.

Are you willing to pay 10X for a pair of jeans than you are paying now?

Also, it is not just manufacturing, call centers etc. rotate overseas depending on time of day to India etc.. A lot of intellectual work gets done overseas, we don’t have the manpower or the budget for all of that to get done here.

 

[Corey0372]

Are you willing to pay 10X for a pair of jeans than you are paying now?

AA701D - Men's Boot Cut Jean with Gusset - Dark Stonewash - Made in USA

AA701D - Men's Boot Cut Jean with Gusset - Dark Stonewash - Made in USA. American made, crafted with pride. Click now to buy.

www.allamericanclothing.com

Here's American made jeans for 80 bucks.

Do you currently pay 8 dollars for jeans?
Now if all of the big manufacturers made their jeans in the US, maybe it would level out to 50 bucks? 40?

 

[barryk]

I see things a bit more bleak. I think the country is irrevocably broken and will eventually end in civil war and total social fabric breakdown. What new nation rises up out of that is TBD and hopefully a long way off.

A trump win will cause the crazies to act out in bizarre, irrational ways so the average citizen can see them for what they are. (e.g. the reaction to "defund the police" and "no bail/bond holds for criminals") The easily duped average Joe and Sue will see this as bizarre and irrational reactions of the far left, buying us a few more decades of the Republic. Alternatively, if a lefty wins the White House, they will continue to harass and suppress any conscientious objector, moving us closer to a leftist 1984 police state.

I'm not focused on the long-term winnable game for a society that is in the "fall of Rome" era. My obsession is maintaining the reasonably functional shit-show of a country as it is as long as possible, ideally to keep it together for the entirety of my children's lifetimes. A vote for Trump is a vote for gridlock, treading water, and Washington disfunction. That sounds about as rosy of a scenario as I can imagine at present. I'm far more concerned with the prospect of a socialist getting into power "and really getting a lot of things done".

Rookhawk....I agree with you. Rush Limbaugh used to say he in the end believed in the American people...I do not. I believe in my country and what it stands for...or used to stand for. I consider myself a conservative and will vote for whoever can close that damn border, reinstate some law and order across urban America (Im very rural but travel to Denver, Wichita, Kansas City), and get off this climate change crap and focus on fossil fuels and energy independence for National Security. At 72, I've seen too many of our values and beliefs destroyed by a Marxist Democratic Party and a gutless Republican Party that never learned to fight. World War II vets came home and participated and encouraged terrific organizations like the Boy Scouts and taught them many skills.....Liberals/Marxists trashed that and destroyed it. Same with the Girl Scouts. Same with love of country, pledge of allegiance, patriotic songs in our public schools, and most of all...God. I am a Christian but find it very difficult sometimes to love my neighbor....in particular if he is an idiot.

Now...we have Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.....which I don't give a Rats Butt about.....People can't seem to grasp the concept of achievement, qualifications.......I'll choose my country over any other but how do you seek reason with someone who is 180 degrees from your own values? Where is the common ground? How does our country close this kind of a gap?

I miss Rush and his analysis....I believed Rush believed in America and its people. I listen to Jesse Kelly's podcast on Spotify....he presents a problem, gives some history on it, and offers a reasonable solution. Kelly's book, "The Anti-Communist Manifesto" is pretty good, and I recommend it. I fear you are right with your first paragraph.....hope we are wrong......really do.

 

[Tanks]

AA701D - Men's Boot Cut Jean with Gusset - Dark Stonewash - Made in USA

AA701D - Men's Boot Cut Jean with Gusset - Dark Stonewash - Made in USA. American made, crafted with pride. Click now to buy.

www.allamericanclothing.com

Here's American made jeans for 80 bucks.

Do you currently pay 8 dollars for jeans?
Now if all of the big manufacturers made their jeans in the US, maybe it would level out to 50 bucks? 40?

I paid $20 or so for a couple of pairs of 5.11 jeans recently on their most recent sale. Also , my comment was an example.

I’ll give you a real example. Having one of my engineers do an average electrical AutoCAD drawing would have a burden cost of $600. Having the same drawing done overseas is $33. Huge savings.

 

[wesheltonj]

The easiest apparent solution for the Federal Government would be to Federalize the Texas National Guard and have them stand down. Though that would be a somewhat unprecedented "mobilization" of the Guard. What I'll guarantee you is that the State Adjutant General is dealing with some interesting phone calls and not getting a lot of sleep. Last time we had a State's rights issue remotely like this of which I am aware was 1860. This particularly interesting considering the Supreme Court ruling a couple of days ago. Hopefully a couple of adults will lock themselves in a room to sort this out.

Biden could, but Abbott could all up the Texas State Guard, and the Feds have no right of control over the State Guard. The Adjutant General presides over both the National and State Guard.

 

[Red Leg]

Biden could, but Abbott could all up the Texas State Guard, and the Feds have no right of control over the State Guard. The Adjutant General presides over both the National and State Guard.

Have you taken a look at the State Guard?

 

[wesheltonj]

Have you taken a look at the State Guard?

No, I have not. I have no idea about the quality or quantity of the volunteers. I understand that they may not have prior military experience. But I looked and he already has them there.

 

[fourfive8]

I knew I got a whiff of McConnell (the turtle) when the DeWit-Lake story broke. Looks likely that the NRSC, Daines and McConnell used Dewit as the messenger for the threat/bribe aimed at Lake last year. Yes sir, the swamp is wide and deep.

Also, it seems provable that TDS is real. Why would anyone claiming to be a conservative or Republican spend all their time, effort and money trying to prevent Trump from even running for office while exerting no effort stopping the real, present and obvious danger of the current clown show ruining our country with the destruction being done in plain sight and on purpose?
Simple question....

 

[Corey0372]

What would really be funny is if Gov Abbott offered any Border Patrol Agent stationed in Texas a position in the Texas Rangers effective immediately if they wanted it.

 

[Corey0372]

I paid $20 or so for a couple of pairs of 5.11 jeans recently on their most recent sale. Also , my comment was an example.

I’ll give you a real example. Having one of my engineers do an average electrical AutoCAD drawing would have a burden cost of $600. Having the same drawing done overseas is $33. Huge savings.

That's unfortunate, the concept of meeting a bottom line isn't lost on me. A sane country that put it's citizens over the rest of the world would be actively trying to figure out how to prevent that from happening. Tax breaks for you if you use the US company instead of strengthening foreign competition, maybe preferential interest rates on business loans, access to govt surplus funds...... gotta be something right?

 

[Corey0372]

I dont know...

but Abbott doesnt bluff very often...

I seriously doubt we will see any sort of physical altercation between the TX National Guard and the US federal govt (federal law enforcement or military).. but I would imagine millions of our tax dollars are going to get eaten up by TX suing the federal govt and the federal govt suing texas.. all the while a few million more immigrants come across the border..

I pray that while our commander in chief clearly has no clue.. that our military leaders both in the TX National Guard and on active duty know how to not let this become an actual conflict that results in harm to any service member in any service..

The easiest apparent solution for the Federal Government would be to Federalize the Texas National Guard and have them stand down. Though that would be a somewhat unprecedented "mobilization" of the Guard. What I'll guarantee you is that the State Adjutant General is dealing with some interesting phone calls and not getting a lot of sleep. Last time we had a State's rights issue remotely like this of which I am aware was 1860. This particularly interesting considering the Supreme Court ruling a couple of days ago. Hopefully a couple of adults will lock themselves in a room to sort this out.

 

[Red Leg]

That's unfortunate, the concept of meeting a bottom line isn't lost on me. A sane country that put it's citizens over the rest of the world would be actively trying to figure out how to prevent that from happening. Tax breaks for you if you use the US company instead of strengthening foreign competition, maybe preferential interest rates on business loans, access to govt surplus funds...... gotta be something right?

Very good! Exactly the point I and @mdwest were trying to make. In a capitalist system, the key is to incentivize behavior. Until a socialist government starts issuing a five-year plan, every publicly traded company in this country will continue to focus on their balance sheet and share holder value. Period. Something about which very 401k holder should be profoundly grateful.

 

[Corey0372]

Very good! Exactly the point I and @mdwest were trying to make. In a capitalist system, the key is to incentivize behavior. Until a socialist government starts issuing a five-year plan, every publicly traded company in this country will continue to focus on their balance sheet and share holder value. Period. Something about which very 401k holder should be profoundly grateful.

But you can also still single out China. And I don't think punitive action against companies hiring immigrants over Americans is a bad thing either. H1B visas in tech is one example.

NASDAQ isn't "the economy", and with inflation the way it is and market uncertainty going into the future (BRICS, War, OPEC, whatever) I don't see 401ks going up being the best sustainable option, especially when most Americans realistically can't afford to come anywhere close to maxing it out every year, no chance. "All Hail the GDP and the S&P" shouldn't be the national motto.

 

[Alistair]

But you can also still single out China. And I don't think punitive action against companies hiring immigrants over Americans is a bad thing either. H1B visas in tech is one example.

As someone in the US on an L1B (basically the same as H1B but for intracompany transfers) I can assure you, there are many controls in place to promote the hiring of Americans for those positions and more often than not, the H1B is only approved when the company can prove without reasonable doubt that no suitable applicant exists in country for the position.

The job must be listed publicly (mine was for 18 months with over 30 local applicants interviewed before my visa was approved), the company must prove that the visa applicant is a. qualified for the role and b. more qualified than the local applicants, and prevailing wages must be confirmed with immigration services and shown to be at or above local market rates. It's not a chance to get people in from abroad on the cheap.

These visas are in place to attract foreign talent, not to undercut the locals. There is a difference.

Besides, if you want to screw over the locals, you don't bring a foreign candidate into a technical position in the US, it's much cheaper to simply offshore the position all together. Especially in tech where all that is needed in many cases is a laptop and an internet connection to do the job...