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Non-Tech : Kirk's Market Thoughts -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: robert b furman who wrote (6795)	2/25/2019 10:24:40 AM
From: Kirk ©	Respond to of 26759

Hi Bob China first. I have for many years believed that globalization' primary intent was to bust up the overzealous unions. Good comments about China. I'm not sure it (moving assembly to Asia) was meant to break up unions as much as it just happened as a way to survive and compete with lower costs. Most private industry got rid of pensions in the late 1980s or early 1990s and we didn't have unions AND WE STILL MOVED JOBS TO ASIA. First and foremost it was about tax savings, especially for global products that might be sold overseas after being built there. Money made overseas would stay there and reward workers who moved there for awhile with lavish lifestyles as well as invest in further expansion. When automation came to the semiconductor fabs, they did not move back to the US.... I remember one of my favorite Libertarian CEOs, TJ Rogers of Cypres, saying why would he build any new plants in California when for every $1B invested, he'd have to pay $90M in sales taxes for the equipment and then 2% or $20M a year in property taxes? AOC and Bernie Sanders would say allowing Rogers to build a semi plant in Central California where land is plentiful would be a "gift"... I told AOC via Twitter that she should consider this type of tax forgiveness "rebate coupons" hoping that might trigger some basic level of understanding... It would be brilliant for CA as we could move some of the farm production to Mexico and create better paying jobs where there are none now. Of course the CEOs don't want the inconvenience of traveling from the SF Peninsula with great weather to the hot central part of the state, even for a short visit, so they keep overbuilding our area and destroying the quality of life here for the marginally employed. Kirk

To: robert b furman who wrote (6795)	2/25/2019 10:31:40 AM
From: Kirk ©	Respond to of 26759

Hi Bob AI & Robotics for assembly China's historic growth was flawed in their hope/ belief thay could become the manufacturing center for the world. All of those new plants provided a flawed design of putting a lot of people to work and too build lower qaulity products that could simply be replaced and keep the work force employed. AI and robotics will now have advances that will keep excess capacity and its burdens, squarely on China's back. IMO China is already seeing assembly jobs move to lower cost places like Cambodia and Vietnam. It is a "race to the bottom" for many assembly jobs... probably shoes, clothing and other things that you need a 5th grade education to understand how to use scissors, needle and thread. (ie don't run with scissors is kindergarten but following a pattern to sew is probably 5th grade.) Kirk

To: robert b furman who wrote (6795)	2/25/2019 10:37:58 AM
From: Kirk ©	1 Recommendation Recommended By robert b furman Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 26759

Hi Bob Unions are now concentrated in government vs the private industry. Our advancement in robotics has neutralized the unions striking capabilities. 30,000 teachers are on strike in Los Angeles and a smaller number are on strike in Oakland. They want smaller class sizes and a raise. Some of the politicians have said the teachers need better pay and small class sizes. My reply on their Facebook page was to link to Bill Clinton's SOTU speech and suggest they might have smaller class sizes and more money to spend had they done what Bill said needed doing. facebook.com Crickets..... I'm keeping at it as it is no coincidence that sanctuary cities have issues with low cost housing (too much demand) and over supply of low skill workers who bring their kids here for the free education, subsidized rents, food stamps, etc. Note too from this article that the "money they have" is needed to help PARTIALLY fund the pensions. I think the teachers would have more salary NOW if they agreed to work until age 67 and get Social Security level pensions like the rest of us in the private sector. cnbc.com Kirk