Why the US is losing the manufacturing battle to China. (Recent personal experience)

[peejman]

Several years ago a GM manager told me that GM had more money in retiree benefits like free health care for their family for life than they had in the steel in a car.

My uncle, a GM retiree said GM pays 4 people for every 1 that actually works. 1 worker, 1 on disability, and 2 retirees. That concept sound vaguely familiar?

[45guy]

My wife worked for a manufacturing comp. for 16 years. The Feds would come in from time to time and fine them a 100 grand for this or that. It's was a non union low paying company. It was still cheaper to buy china made products. They adjusted the quality so there was no difference from what was made here. The lead time in ordering was the biggest problem. Gov. Regs, insurance, and all the other forced expenses on this company forced them to go from 70+ employees to 10 or 12.