America used to lead the world in manufactured goods, now we lead the world in obesity, where did it go wrong?

Question

or, how can we blame this on Clinton?

Answer 1

Allowing Republicians to run the country for the past 8 years

Answer 2

We do not lead the world in manufactured goods for a very good reason. It is a declining value sector. Back in the 50's and 60's, we were the premier manufacturer of goods, for good reason. Much of the industrialized world was still recuperating from the devastation they suffered in World War 2, while the US was untouched, and was able to turn around our massive arms industry into commercial products plants.

However after that, countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and later China, India and Malaysia started becoming industrialized and started low-skilled manufacturing, the premium is gone. Why pay an American worker $20 an hour to stand on an assembly line making stuff when a Chinese worker will do it for $2 a day?

What amazes me is why so many people want to keep chasing manufacturing like it's some sort of gold mine. It's not! It's a declining value sector. I'm sure in the late 1800's, the care of, and products for horses was a booming industry. Why are we not complaining about that loss? Progress marches on. Economies and industries change. Stop chasing yesterday's high value work and chase tomorrows high value work.

Obesity is a problem because we are so damn wealthy. We can afford to eat well. Unfortunately, it turns out that healthy foods are often cheap and we've moved away from simple inexpensive foods to more expensive fatty foods.

I remember thinking about this in the 80s. I'd watch TV about China and other poor asian countries. Why were all these asian people so damn skinny? Because they ate a lot of fish and rice and vegetables, and rode bikes everywhere in town. We need to voluntarily make that switch, but it's a tall order, because dammit, cheeseburgers and fries and steak taste so damn good.

Answer 3

Finally! people are opening their eyes to see the truth and the facts displayed here speak for themselves. After that great answer from gypsy_cat 345, i haven't got much to say except that people like Vanessa should look at the bigger picture and make her own assessments, rather than believing in what the media WANT people to believe. also, i don't think people should balme the Islamic RELIGION for the actions of ignorant so-called Muslims who claim they are acting on its behalf. secondly, i don't think Israel is JUST a small country that wants to be left alone. If this was the case it would not have waged a full-blown war on lebanon, killing thousands of people in order to regain 2 of their soldiers who were captured by Hezbollah. Shouldn't they think about releasing the 1000s of lebanese prisoners currently in Israel! Thirdly, Muslims do not have anything against Jews. The issue is with the Zionists and Israelis. BTW, I am NOT Lebanese. I'm simply stating what i beleive is the truth

Answer 4

Actually America hasn't lead the world in Obesity since 2002.

America is now # 7 on the Obesity list.

Damn that Bush, were not #1 anymore !!!!!

Answer 5

Thirty years ago it was public that Americans would become a service society which is to say less and less manufacturing. The whole business is complicated. It would be a more revealing question to ask who set into motion the dumbing down of two and a half generations in public schools. Yes, there is social engineering going on. Decide for yourself if it is comming from the Democrat or Republican side.

Answer 6

Capitalism is the politics of providing for the interests of unrestricted free movement of capital (money, wealth).

Where capital goes, people seeking interest on loaned capital also go.

In the name of international trade and banking and investments, the profits paid to shareholders has come from investments abroad by private lending institutions to promote the higher-margin manufacturing in foreign lands.

These higher margins come at a cost to the labour in those nations since they are less likely to have any political voice in the kinds of nations where capital often seeks it's profit.

Answer 7

It started in the early 60's with the introduction of TV dinners and pot pies, and it got even crazier....dam, Americans, from there on we all gotten use to having someone else do it for you! Don't know who to blame but progress itself and the lack of self-discipline.

Answer 8

Some of it relates to our poor education and health care, all of which has its roots to periods well before the Clinton administration.

Answer 9

I think it's because of Bush...:) Why not he gets blamed for everything else!

Answer 10

America went wrong when the committee of 300 was formed and when the Federal Reserve was created.

"A government big enough to give you
everything you want is big enough to take
everything you've got,"


http://www.rense.com/politics5/300.htm

NO to the NWO...