“Made in China.” It seems like we see that little three-word phrase everywhere and when we do find something that isn’t made there, at least for me, it seems like the greatest thing since sliced bread. Unfortunately, many of our nation’s products, from the toys in Happy Meals to major pieces of technology, are manufactured in other countries, especially China.
China has always had the “numbers game” going for them. With more than a billion people, they have the man-power necessary to sufficiently run major factories and businesses for extended periods of time very cheaply because they always have replacement workers ready to go if one worker decides to quit.
China and Japan are also two major technology-oriented nations, producing millions of dollars worth of technology annually. This is where America begins having its own issues.
In America, we have minimum wage, workers’ rights, labor unions and many other laws and regulations to protect the right of the worker. However, while many view these as beneficial and the moral and ethical thing to do, I believe to a certain degree, it is affecting the economy negatively.
When large companies feel they can have their products made cheaper through outsourcing jobs, they almost always outsource. After all, why wouldn’t they? Outsourcing work to other countries, like China, means that they can have their products made for less, that they can pay their employees less, and in the end they’ll have more profit in their pockets. Now here’s the million dollar question: Should the United States seek more technical manufacturing?
I think it’s really a pointless question. Of course the United States should insource jobs and seek more technical manufacturing. By insourcing jobs and having companies keep their businesses in the United States, they create more jobs that stimulate the economy.
However, there are some issues that companies would have to see addressed before attempting to do this. High-tech companies in America say that it is too expensive to build their products in America, and that they cannot afford it. I believe this has to do with the cost of materials and the idea of minimum wage forcing companies to pay at least a minimum salary. Many technology companies also say that there are not enough workers with the appropriate training to do these jobs. So how does the U.S. address these issues so it can stop outsourcing, begin insourcing and begin to stimulate the economy?
I think that the first step that has to be made to get more technology-based jobs is for American-based companies to consider the positive impact of creating more jobs through technology manufacturing. By creating jobs, they would help boost the economy.
My second point is in reference to not having enough people properly trained to do the jobs. I think that companies should take the initiative to create programs to properly train individuals looking for jobs. I believe that once domestic companies invest in proper training programs, then they will have qualified employees that can do the jobs properly.
This will pay off the initial cost of training programs in the long run because it will save the costs of having to import the products from other countries, as well as helping to create more job opportunities and helping to boost the economy.
So, should the United States seek more technology manufacturing? Yes, I believe that it is for the common good of the country that technology-producing businesses give the United States a chance, and that the United States pushes to implement more technology based businesses within its borders.
Through generating training programs to educate workers on how technology should be made, and keeping technology producing businesses here in America, we have a stepping stone to help create job opportunities and to help stimulate the economy.
What do you think?
