Great idea and hope this works!!!

[TomT]

Any time you call an 800 number
(for a credit card, banking, charter communications, health and other insurance, computer help desk, etc)
and you find that you're talking to a foreign customer service representative
(perhaps in India, Philippines, etc),
please consider doing the following:

After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the USA
(you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent),
please, very politely
(this is not about trashing other cultures)
say, "I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the United States of America."

The rep might suggest talking to his/her manager,
but, again, politely say, "Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the USA."
YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO A REP IN THE USA.
That's the rule and the LAW.

It takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA.
Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort Lauderdale.

Imagine what would happen if every US citizen insisted on talking to only US phone reps from this day on.
Imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of US jobs that would need to be created ASAP.
If I tell 10 people to consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing this - see what I mean...it becomes an exercise in viral marketing 101.

Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone rep. You may even get correct answers, good advice, and solutions to your problem - in real English.

If you agree, please tell 10 people you know, and ask them to tell 10 people they know....etc...etc

[Oss]

will try it Tom


see ya soon

[Spirited-6]

   I`m all for it !!!

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Idea would be nice but not true. Hate to be the buzz killer 

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/servicerep.asp

[The Anvil]

You know, instead of spamming people to buy into false stuff like this they could use that opportunity to plant the seed in people's heads that though legislation like this does not now exist that you should write your congressman in support of new, similar legislation.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

You know, instead of spamming people to buy into false stuff like this they could use that opportunity to plant the seed in people's heads that though legislation like this does not now exist that you should write your congressman in support of new, similar legislation.

This is eluded to at the bottom of the snopes link 

[BIG--T]

Idea would be nice but not true. Hate to be the buzz killer  

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/servicerep.asp

I haven't click on your website but had to just jump in. I accidently found this to be true a couple years ago. I talked to an Indian or someone from that part of the world that I couldn't understand and constantly asking him to repeat as this was an important financial mater, we both became ill with each other as we both couldn't understand each other and we were raising our voices. It mighta been my southern english! Anyway I finally tell him I wan't to speak to an American and within a minute she was on the line! Now there are some I can understand and have no problem but if you get one you can't understand, insist that you speak to an American!  

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Idea would be nice but not true. Hate to be the buzz killer  

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/servicerep.asp

I haven't click on your website but had to just jump in. I accidently found this to be true a couple years ago. I talked to an Indian or someone from that part of the world that I couldn't understand and constantly asking him to repeat as this was an important financial mater, we both became ill with each other as we both couldn't understand each other and we were raising our voices. It mighta been my southern english! Anyway I finally tell him I wan't to speak to an American and within a minute she was on the line! Now there are some I can understand and have no problem but if you get one you can't understand, insist that you speak to an American!  

The link states that SOME companies have the policy, but it is not mandated yet. Just passing on the information/facts and trust me, I've been on the end of not understanding them and now will at least give it a shot in the future.  

[R J]

Or if they speak so soft that us with a little hearing deficiency can't hear them very well.

God that irritates me when I have to keep asking them to repeat, and still can't hear them.

[The Anvil]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

[BIG--T]

Idea would be nice but not true. Hate to be the buzz killer  

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/servicerep.asp

I haven't click on your website but had to just jump in. I accidently found this to be true a couple years ago. I talked to an Indian or someone from that part of the world that I couldn't understand and constantly asking him to repeat as this was an important financial mater, we both became ill with each other as we both couldn't understand each other and we were raising our voices. It mighta been my southern english! Anyway I finally tell him I wan't to speak to an American and within a minute she was on the line! Now there are some I can understand and have no problem but if you get one you can't understand, insist that you speak to an American!  

The link states that SOME companies have the policy, but it is not mandated yet. Just passing on the information/facts and trust me, I've been on the end of not understanding them and now will at least give it a shot in the future.  

Sorry, I didn't read the link before I posted. But I just had to share my experience. Believe me- you make one mad enough, they'll be GLAD to transfer you! Maybe that's what happened in my case...policy or not!!!  

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Idea would be nice but not true. Hate to be the buzz killer  

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/servicerep.asp

I haven't click on your website but had to just jump in. I accidently found this to be true a couple years ago. I talked to an Indian or someone from that part of the world that I couldn't understand and constantly asking him to repeat as this was an important financial mater, we both became ill with each other as we both couldn't understand each other and we were raising our voices. It mighta been my southern english! Anyway I finally tell him I wan't to speak to an American and within a minute she was on the line! Now there are some I can understand and have no problem but if you get one you can't understand, insist that you speak to an American!  

The link states that SOME companies have the policy, but it is not mandated yet. Just passing on the information/facts and trust me, I've been on the end of not understanding them and now will at least give it a shot in the future.  

Sorry, I didn't read the link before I posted. But I just had to share my experience. Believe me- you make one mad enough, they'll be GLAD to transfer you! Maybe that's what happened in my case...policy or not!!!  

No apology needed here you clearly stated you had not read it first. I got thicker skin then that. 

[BIG--T]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

Ha ha, Now that's funny because I had the exact same experience except the other way around!   As a matter of fact I was talking to some yankee from your neck of the woods, NH, or Mass. and his accent was so thick I repeatedly asked him to repeat himself! He was  just as bad as the Indian except I couldn't ask him to talk to an American!

[musclehead]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

I'm still in Maine and I'm having to listen harder to folks to catch all the dialogue. every sector of the country has a "twang" or accent, locals don't hear because they are used to it.

[3fan4life]

I can't stand having to deal with someone in a foreign call center.

First and foremost, I think that American companies should keep the jobs here.

The best solution may be to pressure our congress to pass legislation that is punitive to the companies that ship their customer service overseas.

According to the SNOPES article one representative had introduced legislation that would impose a .25 fee per call for every call placed from the US that was routed to a foreign call center.

It doesn't sound like much but it could help and it's a start.

If nothing else this money could go towards paying unemployment costs here in the US.


I admit that I don't undestand the practice that some companies have of transfering all calls overseas.

I left Dish Network because of poor customer service from overseas (India). The crazy thing is that they have a service center less than 50 miles from me and yet all my calls were routed to India.

It has also been my experience that the people in these overseas call centers are just reading a "script" and are NO help with any real issues.

If I do have to call customer service and  I get someone in a foreign country, I always tell them that I am sorry but that I cannot understand them. I ask them to transfer my call to an American call center. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't, if the person refuses to transfer my call, well then my "Southern Drawl" becomes very exaggerated. I've had this get me transferred to an American call center because they couldn't understand me, and I've also had them just get mad and hang up.

Lastly, if you must deal with an American company that insists on overseas call centers:

1) If possible find a company that provides the same service with American call centers.

2) If you must deal with them, COMPLAIN, every company has some sort of complaint line or an E- Mail contact that handles customer complaints. A single complaint won't change their policies, but thousands of complaints just might make them take notice.    

This is a real issue that needs to be addressed and just because SNOPES says that the original E-Mail is FALSE does not mean that NOTHING can be done to correct the problem.    

[BIG--T]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

I'm still in Maine and I'm having to listen harder to folks to catch all the dialogue. every sector of the country has a "twang" or accent, locals don't hear because they are used to it.

I'm sure this applies to many states but as small as SC is there are three different distinct accents.

[The Anvil]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

Ha ha, Now that's funny because I had the exact same experience except the other way around!   As a matter of fact I was talking to some yankee from your neck of the woods, NH, or Mass. and his accent was so thick I repeatedly asked him to repeat himself! He was  just as bad as the Indian except I couldn't ask him to talk to an American!

Operator: "Thank you for callin' Chase CAAAAAHD services how can help you today?"

XGuy: "Yes ah need to report a lost charge card and ah need it canceled post-haste to avoid accumulation of fraudulent charges by uncouth ruffians, suh!"

Operator: "Oh well I don't undahstand a word you just said but I'm sorry to heah that. Just beah with me while I pull up your infahmation. Sorry for the delay my computah's actin' wicked retahded today..."

[x]

Any time you call an 800 number
(for a credit card, banking, charter communications, health and other insurance, computer help desk, etc)
and you find that you're talking to a foreign customer service representative
(perhaps in India, Philippines, etc),
please consider doing the following:

After you connect and you realize that the customer service representative is not from the USA
(you can always ask if you are not sure about the accent),
please, very politely
(this is not about trashing other cultures)
say, "I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the United States of America."

The rep might suggest talking to his/her manager,
but, again, politely say, "Thank you, but I'd like to speak to a customer service representative in the USA."
YOU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO A REP IN THE USA.
That's the rule and the LAW.

It takes less than one minute to have your call re-directed to the USA.
Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort Lauderdale.

Imagine what would happen if every US citizen insisted on talking to only US phone reps from this day on.
Imagine how that would ultimately impact the number of US jobs that would need to be created ASAP.
If I tell 10 people to consider this and you tell 10 people to consider doing this - see what I mean...it becomes an exercise in viral marketing 101.

Remember - the goal here is to restore jobs back here at home - not to be abrupt or rude to a foreign phone rep. You may even get correct answers, good advice, and solutions to your problem - in real English.

If you agree, please tell 10 people you know, and ask them to tell 10 people they know....etc...etc

This is so much nonsense.  There is no law that anyone has to be connected anywhere.  I set up call centers... in Malaysia, in the Philippines... that's not how it works.

I'd bet 50 bux that your statement, "Tonight when I got redirected to a USA rep, I asked again to make sure - and yes, she was from Fort Lauderdale" didn't really happen to you, you just parroted something you read elsewhere.
 
You want to restore jobs back home?  Quit voting for the yahoo Republicans that fight fair labor laws in other countries, that refuse to tie tax incentives to job creation and retention in the US, and that vote to subsidize companies taking their business offshore.

[3fan4life]

You want to restore jobs back home?  Quit voting for the yahoo Republicans that fight fair labor laws in other countries, that refuse to tie tax incentives to job creation and retention in the US, and that vote to subsidize companies taking their business offshore.

Sounds Good,

But I'll maintain that there are equal offfenders in both the Republican and the Democratic parties.

It's funny how Democrats are known for being for the poor but don't mind being rich themselves.

Yes the Repubs are known for being in bed with big business, but the Democrats answer to big business is just to tax it to death, which directly leads to the shipping of American jobs overseas.

Face it, both of the major political parties in the US are broken.

Common sense and Government parted ways a long time ago.   

[hubcapsc]

...

Here's another funny thing... when they tell you that their name is "John Smith" and ask if this is
the residence of your-name-here, tell them "No, this is Vasudivich Subrumanian", make sure
you say it with a Southern Accent...

Oh yeah, this post is supposed to have something to do with SE's message: Bachmann for President...

-Mike

[BIG--T]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

Ha ha, Now that's funny because I had the exact same experience except the other way around!  As a matter of fact I was talking to some yankee from your neck of the woods, NH, or Mass. and his accent was so thick I repeatedly asked him to repeat himself! He was  just as bad as the Indian except I couldn't ask him to talk to an American!

Operator: "Thank you for callin' Chase CAAAAAHD services how can help you today?"

XGuy: "Yes ah need to report a lost charge card and ah need it canceled post-haste to avoid accumulation of fraudulent charges by uncouth ruffians, suh!"

Operator: "Oh well I don't undahstand a word you just said but I'm sorry to heah that. Just beah with me while I pull up your infahmation. Sorry for the delay my computah's actin' wicked retahded today..."

Now that's good!! You sound just like him, no r's. Like the guy I met in Fl. that rode his 750 Honda down from Boston and asked him if he had any problems. He said he had to put in a "spaaaak plug" and after several times of asking what, I finally got it!

[The Anvil]

OTOH, I once got an operator in the deep south and couldn't understand that person any better than I could understand most foreigners.

Ha ha, Now that's funny because I had the exact same experience except the other way around!   As a matter of fact I was talking to some yankee from your neck of the woods, NH, or Mass. and his accent was so thick I repeatedly asked him to repeat himself! He was  just as bad as the Indian except I couldn't ask him to talk to an American!

Operator: "Thank you for callin' Chase CAAAAAHD services how can help you today?"

XGuy: "Yes ah need to report a lost charge card and ah need it canceled post-haste to avoid accumulation of fraudulent charges by uncouth ruffians, suh!"

Operator: "Oh well I don't undahstand a word you just said but I'm sorry to heah that. Just beah with me while I pull up your infahmation. Sorry for the delay my computah's actin' wicked retahded today..."

Now that's good!! You sound just like him, no r's. Like the guy I met in Fl. that rode his 750 Honda down from Boston and asked him if he had any problems. He said he to put in a "spaaaak plug" and after several times of asking what, I finally got it!

Someone once said that where were from in Washington people added R's. As in: "warshcloth". I guess our orphaned R's have to go somewhere to die.

[BIG--T]

You want to restore jobs back home?  Quit voting for the yahoo Republicans that fight fair labor laws in other countries, that refuse to tie tax incentives to job creation and retention in the US, and that vote to subsidize companies taking their business offshore.

Sounds Good,

But I'll maintain that there are equal offfenders in both the Republican and the Democratic parties.

It's funny how Democrats are known for being for the poor but don't mind being rich themselves.

Yes the Repubs are known for being in bed with big business, but the Democrats answer to big business is just to tax it to death, which directly leads to the shipping of American jobs overseas.

Face it, both of the major political parties in the US are broken.

Common sense and Government parted ways a long time ago.   

You're right about common sense and goverment! Ross Perot whom I voted for didn't realize what a profound statement when he said" they'll be a great sucking sound going south"(NAFTA)-And here it is!  I can't help but wonder why China is the richest nation in the world and India is becoming 2nd?? And now they say the US may have to default?  Wonder WHY?? 

[Normandog]

I was once on the phone with someone in India about a very important matter and could not understand the person. I asked to speak to someone who spoke English I could understand. He switched me to his boss in Texas. Couldn't understand him because of the heavy Spanish accent.     

[BIG--T]

I was once on the phone with someone in India about a very important matter and could not understand the person. I asked to speak to someone who spoke English I could understand. He switched me to his boss in Texas. Couldn't understand him because of the heavy Spanish accent.     

Ha ha, Now that's funny!! Can't win for losing!

[3fan4life]

I was once on the phone with someone in India about a very important matter and could not understand the person. I asked to speak to someone who spoke English I could understand. He switched me to his boss in Texas. Couldn't understand him because of the heavy Spanish accent.     

I had that same thing happen to me.

I could only laugh about it, after all the guy was in the US and I asked to be connected to a call center in the US.

[Oss]

the other day I was
speakin to a center and the gal was from someplace in the deep south

After a few minutes I said to her

Darling, I confess I cant understand a word you have been saying but I
sure am enjoying listening to you say it and you can keep on talking as long as you want to
do so   For some strange reason she enjoyed the sound of my voice as well being
from New Yawwwk

Eventually (about 20 minutes later) I got the hang of the accent and everything worked out

A good sense of humor helps.

[Stanley Steamer]

it's a good thing I don't have an Accent.......but I like to listen to Oss, G-man and those other Yankee Boys........

Fuuuurgetaboutit.....

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

the other day I was
speakin to a center and the gal was from someplace in the deep south

After a few minutes I said to her

Darling, I confess I cant understand a word you have been saying but I
sure am enjoying listening to you say it and you can keep on talking as long as you want to
do so   For some strange reason she enjoyed the sound of my voice as well being
from New Yawwwk

Eventually (about 20 minutes later) I got the hang of the accent and everything worked out

A good sense of humor helps.

Is she interviewing ?? 

[Walküre]

And after all this, everyone goes to WalMart, to send their money over to China...

We CAN have America back - simply demand that EVERYTHING you buy is from America. Pay the difference, your kids will reap the benefits. That is, if you can even FIND it made in America! But if you make the concerted effort, to buy American, whenever and wherever possible, America will eventually win out. The stuff IS out there, if you look hard enough. And it IS a bit more expensive. But I think the investment is worth it. But until that happens...

Which means I don't have much hope, sadly...

Now, back to your regular Walmart-sponsored programming...

R

[BIG--T]

And after all this, everyone goes to WalMart, to send their money over to China...

We CAN have America back - simply demand that EVERYTHING you buy is from America. Pay the difference, your kids will reap the benefits. That is, if you can even FIND it made in America! But if you make the concerted effort, to buy American, whenever and wherever possible, America will eventually win out. The stuff IS out there, if you look hard enough. And it IS a bit more expensive. But I think the investment is worth it. But until that happens...

Which means I don't have much hope, sadly...

Now, back to your regular Walmart-sponsored programming...

R

It is so ironic that when Sam Walton owned Walmart they boasted and signs everywhere in red, white, and blue saying everything is made in the USA! He would be rolling over in is grave. Now look at us...China owns us and looks like we may have to default for the 1st time in US history. So sad for our grandchildren!

[Walküre]

It is so ironic that when Sam Walton owned Walmart they boasted and signs everywhere in red, white, and blue saying everything is made in the USA! He would be rolling over in is grave.

Actually, everything with Sam wasn't quite as it appeared - he made a statement early, that he would go to ANY lengths to get stuff cheaply.

From the beginning, Sam Walton and Wal-Mart focused on buying goods as cheaply as possible, which often meant buying imports. Here is an examination of the history of Wal-Mart's procurement practices in Asia and China -- even through its own "Buy American" promotional campaign in the 1980s and 1990s -- and the prognosis for the future.

And the article:

Walmart and China - a Joint Venture

If he's rolling, it's from laughter...

I read someplace that Walmart makes PROFIT of $23,000 a minute, 24 hours a day. Wouldn't doubt it...

My biggest problem is when they come in a community, work hard to undercut all the businesses there, the businesses are forced to close down, then decide they're not making enough profit at that location, shut down the store, and leave it vacant. The store in Lafayette was vacant almost 10 years!!

R

[The Anvil]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about the death of American manufacturing, but it's not what's doing this country in right now. Even when manufacturing was strong in the US they weren't high-paying jobs with promise of upward mobility. If you were a factory worker you typically didn't want your kids following in your footsteps. Not that you'd be ashamed if they did, but I'd rather my kids go to college OR learn a valuable trade. I don't lament the death of American manufacturing quite as much as some other people do.

What I lament is the lack of emphasis on education and innovation that comes from certain people and entities in positions of power. America's future rests not in flooding the market with cheap s**t like the Chinese do. Fact is; we can't compete with a billion people willing to work for slave wages, not if we insist on paying so little for that cheap s**t (and we always do). This country's future rests on our ability to develop the next big thing that helps keep this world one step from the brink. God help us if the Chinese are the ones to develop real viable alternatives to fossil fuels or something with that kind of global impact.

[BIG--T]

It is so ironic that when Sam Walton owned Walmart they boasted and signs everywhere in red, white, and blue saying everything is made in the USA! He would be rolling over in is grave.

Actually, everything with Sam wasn't quite as it appeared - he made a statement early, that he would go to ANY lengths to get stuff cheaply.

From the beginning, Sam Walton and Wal-Mart focused on buying goods as cheaply as possible, which often meant buying imports. Here is an examination of the history of Wal-Mart's procurement practices in Asia and China -- even through its own "Buy American" promotional campaign in the 1980s and 1990s -- and the prognosis for the future.

And the article:

Walmart and China - a Joint Venture

If he's rolling, it's from laughter...

I read someplace that Walmart makes PROFIT of $23,000 a minute, 24 hours a day. Wouldn't doubt it...

My biggest problem is when they come in a community, work hard to undercut all the businesses there, the businesses are forced to close down, then decide they're not making enough profit at that location, shut down the store, and leave it vacant. The store in Lafayette was vacant almost 10 years!!

R

I believe I read they are 2nd to the oil companies. I never researched it but I remember when they moved into my area they had red, white, and blue all over stating everything was made in America. Yes Sam had to buy low to keep prices down. All that changed after he died.

Regarding your last statement, I've seen that happen here and they do knock all the mom and pop stores out. I remember my dad always wanted a hardware store and finally bought one in the late 60's and remember him getting mad bc K-Mart could sell stuff cheaper than he could buy them so he had to close after a couple of years. Big corporations always knock out the little guy.

[RoadKill]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about the death of American manufacturing, but it's not what's doing this country in right now. Even when manufacturing was strong in the US they weren't high-paying jobs with promise of upward mobility. If you were a factory worker you typically didn't want your kids following in your footsteps. Not that you'd be ashamed if they did, but I'd rather my kids go to college OR learn a valuable trade. I don't lament the death of American manufacturing quite as much as some other people do.

What I lament is the lack of emphasis on education and innovation that comes from certain people and entities in positions of power. America's future rests not in flooding the market with cheap s**t like the Chinese do. Fact is; we can't compete with a billion people willing to work for slave wages, not if we insist on paying so little for that cheap s**t (and we always do). This country's future rests on our ability to develop the next big thing that helps keep this world one step from the brink. God help us if the Chinese are the ones to develop real viable alternatives to fossil fuels or something with that kind of global impact.

Tax the crap out of the rich corporations that do all that research for the next big thing....that should easily give China the upper hand. Tax the profits until it's not worth it and they'll stop looking for anything better.

[BIG--T]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about the death of American manufacturing, but it's not what's doing this country in right now. Even when manufacturing was strong in the US they weren't high-paying jobs with promise of upward mobility. If you were a factory worker you typically didn't want your kids following in your footsteps. Not that you'd be ashamed if they did, but I'd rather my kids go to college OR learn a valuable trade. I don't lament the death of American manufacturing quite as much as some other people do.

What I lament is the lack of emphasis on education and innovation that comes from certain people and entities in positions of power. America's future rests not in flooding the market with cheap s**t like the Chinese do. Fact is; we can't compete with a billion people willing to work for slave wages, not if we insist on paying so little for that cheap s**t (and we always do). This country's future rests on our ability to develop the next big thing that helps keep this world one step from the brink. God help us if the Chinese are the ones to develop real viable alternatives to fossil fuels or something with that kind of global impact.

Don't ever under estimate China or Russia! We have put China and India to work so much that they may own us?? Scary and 14.3 TRILLION?? I can't comprehend that kind of money! What happens if we should default?- the first time in our history.

[The Anvil]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about the death of American manufacturing, but it's not what's doing this country in right now. Even when manufacturing was strong in the US they weren't high-paying jobs with promise of upward mobility. If you were a factory worker you typically didn't want your kids following in your footsteps. Not that you'd be ashamed if they did, but I'd rather my kids go to college OR learn a valuable trade. I don't lament the death of American manufacturing quite as much as some other people do.

What I lament is the lack of emphasis on education and innovation that comes from certain people and entities in positions of power. America's future rests not in flooding the market with cheap s**t like the Chinese do. Fact is; we can't compete with a billion people willing to work for slave wages, not if we insist on paying so little for that cheap s**t (and we always do). This country's future rests on our ability to develop the next big thing that helps keep this world one step from the brink. God help us if the Chinese are the ones to develop real viable alternatives to fossil fuels or something with that kind of global impact.

Tax the crap out of the rich corporations that do all that research for the next big thing....that should easily give China the upper hand. Tax the profits until it's not worth it and they'll stop looking for anything better.

But see here's the thing; oil companies make billions and receive subsidies. GE paid ZERO taxes last year because their bad investments and loans from GE Capital division canceled out the massive profits from their other divisions. Gulfstream is a US based company and final assembly of large cabin Gulfstreams is done in Savannah, GA. Gulfstream makes PLENTY of money despite the fact that they're in development of a multi-billion dollar new aircraft program (the G650).

Fact is; corporations like to cry and whine, but they're not overtaxed. Not even a little bit. Smaller companies without armies of lawyers and multiple divisions and tax shelters can often lay claim to shouldering a disproportionate percentage of the tax burden, but big corporations do just fine in terms of what they pay the government. WE pay the vast majority of America's bills, not corporations. You know why? Because WE don't pay to get politicians elected.

[RoadKill]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about the death of American manufacturing, but it's not what's doing this country in right now. Even when manufacturing was strong in the US they weren't high-paying jobs with promise of upward mobility. If you were a factory worker you typically didn't want your kids following in your footsteps. Not that you'd be ashamed if they did, but I'd rather my kids go to college OR learn a valuable trade. I don't lament the death of American manufacturing quite as much as some other people do.

What I lament is the lack of emphasis on education and innovation that comes from certain people and entities in positions of power. America's future rests not in flooding the market with cheap s**t like the Chinese do. Fact is; we can't compete with a billion people willing to work for slave wages, not if we insist on paying so little for that cheap s**t (and we always do). This country's future rests on our ability to develop the next big thing that helps keep this world one step from the brink. God help us if the Chinese are the ones to develop real viable alternatives to fossil fuels or something with that kind of global impact.

Tax the crap out of the rich corporations that do all that research for the next big thing....that should easily give China the upper hand. Tax the profits until it's not worth it and they'll stop looking for anything better.

But see here's the thing; oil companies make billions and receive subsidies. GE paid ZERO taxes last year because their bad investments and loans from GE Capital division canceled out the massive profits from their other divisions. Gulfstream is a US based company and final assembly of large cabin Gulfstreams is done in Savannah, GA. Gulfstream makes PLENTY of money despite the fact that they're in development of a multi-billion dollar new aircraft program (the G650).

Fact is; corporations like to cry and whine, but they're not overtaxed. Not even a little bit. Smaller companies without armies of lawyers and multiple divisions and tax shelters can often lay claim to shouldering a disproportionate percentage of the tax burden, but big corporations do just fine in terms of what they pay the government. WE pay the vast majority of America's bills, not corporations. You know why? Because WE don't pay to get politicians elected.

Once we let them enjoy those huge profits they will not give up the sweet margins. The cost(taxes included) will be passed on to the consumer and the middle class will get the double whammy AGAIN! When the Gov't first stuck their nose into supply and demand we started on a downward spiral. The corporations, supplying you spoiled Americans your goods at a price you whiny Nancys will pay,are like a VERY spoiled and beautiful woman....How do you UN-spoil a beautiful woman ?  We better get the rest of our house in order befor we try that s#!t !   

[The Anvil]

How do you UN-spoil a beautiful woman ? 

Take away her checkbook.

[RoadKill]

How do you UN-spoil a beautiful woman ? 

Take away her checkbook.

an attempt is being made but she is insisting on more income to waste first! She can be a real BI...I mean POTUS !