Thoughts on the RECESSION

i said 100,000 WARRANTEE!

Hey sjbob. I think you misunderstood me on the mileage.  I said 100,000 WARANTEE.  American cars can and will run reliably for hundreds of thousands of miles.  I believe that there aren't many poor qualities autos.   I also know the quality of toyota and Nisson are exceptional.  Ford does have a higher quality and safety rating than toyota now.  Nissons are the highest.  Also, buying a used auto, no matter what kind is good if you buy it from an American Dealer.  They sell used toyotas and nissons, etc. You are 100% right on on the rest of your post! I live in Michigan, and the recession is worse here than the rest of the country.  We have been in it for 2 or 3 years now.  Only now is the rest of the country catching up with michigan, and its only gonna get worse. Kevin Hodges

These days a Toyota is made as much in America as a Chevy is and a Chevy is as much of a forgien auto as a Toyota. Its a global market and car parts are made all over. There really isn't a truely American car anymore. Corporate greed is the real culprit when it comes to the decline in the standard of living. Soon there won't be a middle class.

we are talking about money, not autos.  Toyota money doesnt benefit the american consumer, no matter where the car is made.  GM, Ford Chrysler does.   This post is about the recession.  Do you deny we are in a recession?   I am talking about trying to support our economy to benefit us and our children. I am talking about ALL American made products and services.  The whole thing is all screwed up now, and the corporate greed and mis- management of the said copmanies is undoubtedly the main reason we are in a recession. In order to prosper, we all need to do whats best for us! Sometimes its un avoidable to buy a foriegn product, and yes, some foriegn products are much better quality than American products.  I even have many things that are made outside the American manufacturing community, but I do look for American made products, and buy them whenever possible.   If we all took pride in our jobs, and supported our fellow countrymen, we would make higher quality products and the economy would improve. I am sorry that so many are taking this as a CAR issue.  It is meant to point out the Trickle down affect of our purchasing actions.  It is effecting the Dentists Office.  Theaters, Markets, Restauraunts ETC...  If the money doesn't stay here, people don't have the money to do all those things and all industry suffers! Kevin As you can tell Doug--I am very passionate about this issue.  I am not trying to offend you or anybody else, and you have the right to spend your money however you wish.

"Toyota money doesnt benefit the american consumer, no matter where the car is made.  GM, Ford Chrysler does." Kevin, I really don't understand this sentiment.  And maybe this isn't the proper forum anyway. Like you, I am VERY interested in maintaining American automotive jobs.  But that has FAR more to do with domestic content (where the car and its parts were made), vs. what company has their nameplate on the front grille, and where their corporate offices are.     

I agree - I don't understand that statement either. I have several friends who work at the Toyota engine plant here. They make dang good wages and the company treats they very well in regards to benefits and perks.  They paychecks they get pay their mortgage or rent, buy groceries, pay utilities, and everything else they purchase.  If that isn't benefiting them and our economy, what is it then? I love America as much as anyone, and I buy American when it is possible, provided the American product is worth buying. After all, I gotta think of my personal economy too.

Ive done my best to explain this boxman.  Follow the money. And this is a mens forum to talk about what concerns us.  This concerns me, and should concern you too. I am a man, so this is very appropriate for here.  It seems to be getting some attention as well.  Maybe more posts need to talk about things like this, after all, it is one of the things that causes so much stress and anxiety in our psyches.  Day to day issues are what we need to talk about.  Ask anyone. kevin

I agree, Kevin that literally any and all topics (except for drama-queen or porn stuff) can be discussed in the locker room. If I'm not interested in a topic, saaaaay politics, I just ignore it and move on.  Just one man's opinion.  Boner

Kevin, I'm an automated manufacturing instructor. I drive Chevy's and buy American products as often as I can. Unfortunatly thats not as often as I would like. I happen to work in an area where Manufacturing is strong and growing; Eastern North Dakota and Minnessota. But this greed based economy, or trickle down economics as some call it, is what is hurting this country. Its difficult for employees to take pride in their jobs when they don't know from one day to the next if they will have a job. Loyality must go both ways. We simply don't produce much as a country anymore, because the fat cats can make more by out-sourcing.  Even more sadly, its not cool for students to attend schools where they learn how to produce an actual product. The big incomes are in sales. I'm saddened to think where this country is headed. Lord help us if we ever find ourselves in a world war II type of struggle. I'm afraid we will be a conquered nation.   I am not offended by anything you have said. rather I agree with you.  Doug

I am glad your not offended.  I think you just put it perfectly.  I think it is up to us, the consumer, to try and right the wrongs of corporate America.   I bought a Dell note book for my daughter, and she broke the "Z'  key.  When I called support, I got this guy that had such an India accent that I literally couldnt understand what he was saying.  I demanded that he put me through to a person in the USA for support, and he did.  I formally lodged a complaint about the guy because I couldnt understand him.  It probably wouldnt do anything if only I lodged  a complaint, but maybe if everybody did, those jobs might eventually get sourced back to American workers. THE SQUEEKY WHEEL GETS THE LUBE! kEVIN