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No because of our tax and trade polices. Toyota and all the rest of the transplant manufacturing companies have gutted the middle class in the USA. When the state and local governments gave them carte blanche to locate here in non-union plants they became the instrument for dismantling of our economy. While people complain about over paid UAW and other union workers, they seem to forget it was those same workers that drove growth in our economy. The newest Asian trans plate auto plant pays the line workers the same as a a fast food joint pays people to flip burgers. The problem with that is you can't afford to raise a family on those wages let alone buy a new car or refrigerator.
When others complained about the government bailout of GM and Chrysler I take the stance it was long over due because in many ways the government brought them down. If the USA enforced any semblance of free trade and open markets with our trading partners there would still be a thriving manufacturing sector in the USA. All we have to do is look at Chine. While GM can't outright own a company in China, they can compete in the Chinese market with American products like Buick. China is in no way an open market, but isn't interesting that Toyota is struggling in China? Export products from American do not sell because of the manipulative trade policies of our partners.
It has taken me some time to come to this perspective. It has nothing to do with the quality of the products from Toyota or any other transplant mfg. It has everything to do with bringing manufacturing back to the USA and a good standard of living for the middle class. We don't need to import third world wages into the USA with our tax and trade polices. We need to create an environment here in the USA that is conducive to manufacturing and open markets with our trading partners so we can sell our products overseas.
If we need to separate this from all things automotive we can look to Airbus. Airbus is a government funded and government supported company that has taken half of Boeing's market-share. Airbus would not exist if it were not government funded. American Airlines just split an order between Airbus and Boeing. That isn't free market competition. That is a government company taking jobs out of the USA.
I own a company. We make parts here in the USA and in Australia. I do alright and will adjust to whatever the government polices are to make a profit. My concern if for the average American that gets the short end of the stick.
End of rant that will probably be deleted for being political.
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