From: eap@leland.Stanford.EDU (Eric Perozziello)
Newsgroups: ba.general
Subject: Re: stupid consumers
Date: 3 Oct 92 01:10:04 GMT
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA

>>Yes, consumers are allowed to be stupid! Remember the DRAM industry in the US?
>>Americans used to pay approx $3.00 for a 256kx1 DRAM chip. Then the Japs
>>decide to undercut (which is , BTW illegal in this country). Now, the Fat Dumb 
>>and Happy (yes, your word Phil) So-called-americans take the bait and buy
>>the $1.50 JAPANESE import DRAMS. The US companies producing these go
>>out of business, and then the japs rocket the price to $12 each. Who
>>got screwed when it was all said and done? The Fat Dumb and Happy AMERICAN.
>
>Your logic is off.  Your arguments make a good case against lassez-faire
>libertarianism (and in fact, such considerations are why I yell "fuck Adam
>Smith" every time I see a couple of `em) but they really have little to do
>with the nationalities of the corporations involved.  If such tactics are a
>part of the Japanese way of doing business:
>
>1. This is incidental and not necessarily indicative of the way *all* Japanese
>   companies behave.  (Arguing otherwise is leaving yourself open to a
>   justifiable charge of racism.)

The japanese companies that do business here do. No I'm not racist- come off
it!  I think it lies in the japanese gov'ts policies.

>
>2. It's patently untrue of European and other foreign companies.  Hence, the
>   slogan "Buy American" is not applicable.

I'll agree somewhat.  I Agree with FREE TRADE, when it is properly conducted.
Europeans have a better (very good) track record for FAIR free trade. I have
no real problem with buying german, brittish, etc.  I would buy American
if the products were "nearly comparable", but otherwise, I might opt
for the foreign, simply based on the idea that Europeans do FAIR trade.

>
>3. An American company could pull this sort of tactic just as easily as a
>   Japanese company can - *IF* it could produce product in question
>   as efficiently.

Totally wrong! There are regulations that tie american industries' hands
int his country, but let others walk all over them. Then in Japan,
they *LOVE* to tarrif our goods coming over there (HEAVILY). Fair?
I don't think so. 

>
>4. (and this is the biggest problem I have with your logic) IF ILLEGAL
>   'DUMPING' IS WHAT UPSET ABOUT, THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AMERICAN GOV'T FOR
>   NOT ENFORCING DUMPING LAWS - *NOT* WITH THE AMERICAN CONSUMER FOR WANTING
>   THE CHEAPEST, BEST PRODUCT HE CAN GET HIS HANDS ON.  Your solution, blindly
>   buying a product constructed in America (when you can even figure out
>   whether a product qualifies as American-built or not, which you seldom can
>   with something as complex as an automobile), misses the point completely.

I agree with the first point- the problem is in DC.  I disagree with the 
second. Just cause the US GOv't allows it, doesn't mean we have to be stupid
and fall for the unfair games being played!

>   
>>TRUE AMERICANS BUY AMERICAN!
>
>I don't (necessarily, always) and I'm a true American.  Your 'theory' is
>disproved.
>

By my definition of "True American", I'd respectfully disagree.
Newsgroups: ba.general,misc.kids,misc.legal