Detroit woes and similar

So, not cheaper Japanese and other car imports then?

Mark

that salaries and benefits in the USA car industry were so high and costly (due to the power of the unions) that other countries could make cheaper cars with cheaper labor.

It's the same story, more or less, as with Chinese textiles, toys, electronics and other exports. For some reason, the average American union member (I don't know about the non-union members) doesn't like to work 12 hours a day for 1$ an hour or so.

Kees

Don't be so quick to blame unions. I find that all too easy to do so. While, I agree its part of the problem, until you work in a dirty job of "any sort" do you understand the need for unions. Much of the industry that was "blue collar" of Detroit got send down South and later abroad. Sure, it was cheaper to do so, but what did you get, cheaper parts and questionable sources. This is not to blame foreign makers that got in and offered their wares like cars, nut&bolts, etc. that's a global economy. Its entirely a different thing when the co. moves offshore and sets up shop. It may not happen there and then, but sooner or later the buyers like you and me can't afford or be able to afford if not employed. You can be a CEO of a company, but if that co. goes overseas or gets shipped elsewhere, even you can be let go.

ZAs for Detroit reducing its size in order to support what's left is the result of short slightness and/or improper local govt. as well. Past city mayors and council have been jailed and basically looked out for themselves. maybe the action has to be done, but to see many a decent home become worthless and dozed just seems so much a a waste. As for city services, well you have to cut back and cutting back will be setting free those areas not supporting their wieght. Why not let them become townships again and let their own citizenry do the work required with available funds, if possible as another option. But, I thought the big city will do that as they lose that tax base, etc.. -----Willy

... a lot didn't go "overseas" but "north" to Canada. The Lumina for instance we had was a Canadian built car. I had to pull a fuse to disable it's daytime running lights at the time, got tired of US drivers flash lights at me in the daytime. Now daytime running lights are more common in US.

All US car makers have plants in Canada and have for yrs. before any of this got bad. That's also common in Mexico. It started small then got larger and larger. It makes a heck of alot of sense to have plants at least close by(across border) than to be overseas. Further, what they ship in machinery usually is far better than what those countries had or step-up for them. Not always the case but usually is. Once its gone outside of the US for whatever reason it hardly ever comes back. Regardless, the exodus of labor to outside the US besides any car building is far too common. Even dang toothpicks are made overseas. I found out, the strike matches are too. Even a US plant can't even do that, then who do you blame(blame game) because I'm sure once you dig you find it wasn't labor at the heart of all these problems. -----Willy

...can't change mind and get off a plane a stop or two down the road and come back. Also by ending up at an airport, they'd have to seek out the bus station which is usually NOT located at the airport to get a ticket back if they changed their mind. The idea is make it difficult for them to take a vacation for a weekend and then return.

Sometimes it got a little too exciting. I'm thinking of the race riots in June 1943. Eventually, Federal troops restored order.

...will be called Obamacare cutbacks.