I think that Manufacturing is much stronger and it goes hand in hand with the service industry, of course. Are we losing our strength as a nation?
Wouldn't it be nice to raise questions like this at a Presidential debate? Why are they not asked? Where do our candidates stand?
2007-11-01 10:01:12 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Manufacturing as a proportion of GDP is dwindling, though I don't have those figures right now. Then again, it also depends how you define manufacturing.
I heard a figure on NPR this morning - there are more manufacturing jobs in a single Chinese province (Guangzhou, if my spelling is correct) than there are in the entire United States.
Our *quality* of manufacturing is strong, but that's part of why it's so highly priced. There's a case of cognitive dissonance in the US - everyone wants quality goods but too many people are NOT willing to pay the prices that ensure quality. Result? Exodus of manufacturing jobs.
I would indeed like to hear the candidates discuss this. It's an issue that's actually not left-right at all, and were it more important in the public mind, it would have the power to generate a true political realignment (by which I mean a dissolving of existing constituency groupings and creating of new ones).
2007-11-01 12:53:02 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that now the service industry is stronger. Most of the manufacturing jobs can be outsourced with little loss to the industry (other than goodwill). Some service jobs can be outsourced, but most need to stay in the US. Service jobs will always be available to sell manufactured products. It doesn't really matter where the product is from, the service industry will still sell it.
As far as losing strength, I think we are. I also think it's a short term loss. We are currently shifting from one industry to another, and until that shift is complete, there will be loss.
It would be really nice for the debates to host questions such as these, but it won't happen since politics thrives on emotions.
In the GOP debate in Michigan, there were a few questions about trade. Giuliani said he wanted to move away from a manufacturing trade, and into an information/support trade (that's the only answer I can remember right now). So there have been some questions along this line, but not enough to know where the candidates truly stand on these issues.
2007-11-02 02:12:34 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say service based industries are stronger. The manufacturing industry is quite volatile. We are all probably familiar with the scenario where a big manufacturing plant goes up in some city, it prospers, the area does well, then it closes down, and leaves the city like a ghost town. Happens all the time, the world over. I don't know of manufacturing plants that can withstand the test of time. Service based industries on the other hand are more nimble with respect to where they can operate and the effect they have on an area. Although it's interesting because the two are related. Manufacturing jobs being in an area are going to create demand for service based industries in that area.
2007-11-02 06:31:10 · answer #3 · answered by Pfo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Service in the US, manufacturing abroad. Yet you are absolutely correct, compare the two, and manufacturing is far more tangible and will always be needed. Service is more of a luxury than a necessity. Service is the icing, manufacturing is the cake. Meanwhile, each generation loses thousands of manufacturing jobs that move overseas.
2007-11-01 10:05:28 · answer #4 · answered by Chi Guy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The service industry is much stronger because we have more disposable income. Manufacturing has been suffering here for decades because we demand higher wages than the things we manufacture can supply.
2007-11-01 10:14:38 · answer #5 · answered by Locutus1of1 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
“Manufacturing” as in the “Fast Food” workers that the current administration lumped into the “Manufacturing” sector to bolster their bleak numbers? Or “Manufacturing” as we once knew it – Factory and Foundry jobs that once dominated this great nation that are now almost all outsourced to China to gain profits from cheap labor and non-regulation?
I hear what you’re saying, but until the American people take a stand, let our elected officials know where we stand – nothing will change.
2007-11-02 01:31:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a member of the manufacturing sector, I can tell you that consumer demand is high and the economy is strong because of it. I think they go hand in hand as well, with mfg being the leader. If mfg. does well, the service industry follows suit.
2007-11-01 13:58:00 · answer #7 · answered by Truth B. Told ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some conservative talk show hosts would praise the marketplace and say if consumers want cheap goods from China why should a President interfer?
Duncan Hunter (R)-CA said that he wanted tarriffs to match the tarriff of the country that we are importing from.
At that moment I realized I can put aside my feelings on torture and abortion in which I differ from Mr. Hunter and truely vote for someone because this economic policy would benefit America more.
2007-11-01 10:07:29 · answer #8 · answered by Spartacus 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Service. The US has been moving away from manufacturing for many decades now - nothing is gonna change that fact.
2007-11-01 10:06:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would prefer manufacturing be as strong as it once was because service jobs on a whole can never match the pay scales, maintain a middle class, or protect our abilty to protect ourselves as well
2007-11-01 10:23:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋