Comments for Patrick Ng - Mon Blog

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by Patrick Ng

Patrick Ng — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:17:42 +0000

I was trying to figure out why I was getting some angry comments and realised that perhaps “stupidity” was too strong a word and that “naivety” was probably a better fit. Therefore, I have decided to update my post. I would like to apologise to all those I offended with my choice of words.

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by Patrick Ng

Patrick Ng — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:09:53 +0000

@Adam
Unfortunately, the said sticker was not meant for the examples you cited. The sticker was made for vehicles. If I’m not mistaken, this was the initiative of someone working (used to work?) for Ford. I read it somewhere on the net when I was looking for information before writing this post. And when it comes to cars, I don’t think this sticker makes sense. All it is doing is playing on the emotional side of Americans/Canadians while at the same time misleading them to see only one side of the big picture, the big problem. Why do I say that this stick does make any sense?

First, I’m writing mainly for a Canadian audience. Canada does not own any make. Any vehicle produced in Canada is a foreign make. When it comes to Canadian, American does not mean Canadian. Ford is American not Canadian. Chrysler is American not Canadian. GM is American not Canadian. Some Canadians are so ready to put this sticker on their cars, yet don’t want to be mistaken for Americans. So, as far as Canada is concerned, whatever the make of the car, the profit does go abroad.

Second, what is a “domestic” versus what is a “foreign” car is not clearly defined as it used to be in the past. Take a look at this article . American cars are manufactured in USA, Canada, Mexico and even in South Korea. Even the ones made in North America contain a huge portion of parts made in Asia. So, even if we all buy American cars, we would still not buying 100% American cars. If anything, we will be telling GM, Ford, and Chrysler that it’s okay to manufacture their vehicles abroad for we would still buy them.

Third, foreign car companies employ a lot of people in North America and their cars contain parts domestic parts. Honday uses 70% domestic parts on the Accord. Are the American/Canadians working in these plant less worthy of support? Don’t they have families to feed too?

And fourth, like I have said before in a previous comment, those who put these stickers on their cars should live by that rule. They should not buy anything foreign. But do they fight to keep other products from being manufactured abroad? Do they fight to prevent other jobs from being shipped abroad? No.

So to summarize, I can only repeat that this sticker is an example of economic stupidity. We would be foolish to think that we are really supporting only Americans/Canadians when buying American cars just as we would be foolish to think that we are not supporting Americans/Canadians when buying foreign cars. And most of all, while some people may think about supporting others with their buying pattern, what proportion of the American and Canadian populations really think about supporting their countrymen when they buy a particular product as opposed to finding the particular product at the lowest price?

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by Adam

Adam — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:49:32 +0000

I’m not big on politics. I will completely admit that I don’t know everything about economics and global politics. I actually found your website while searching for the copyright(if any) to the slogan “out of a job yet? keep buying foreign.” By the way if anyone knows anything about that, let me know.
I understand both sides of the argument and maybe it’s my rural mentality but when I see the sticker I don’t automatically think of the auto industry. I think of the lady I buy eggs from.The local grocer I support. The mechanic that has fixed my family’s cars for 3 generations. The guy I buy fishing bait from. The boat that was made in Illinois I fish out of on weekends. The Remington I hunt with.
Those are the people I think of. That what that sticker is meant to say

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by Patrick Ng

Patrick Ng — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:30:20 +0000

While I agree that some Americans are arrogant, I don’t think they are all like this That said, I’ve seen many cars with these stickers in Canada. Actually, I’ve never been south of the border and therefore have seen these stickers only in Canada. I can certainly understand that we are sometimes desperate enough to try anything, and not being able to see the whole picture. Do people who have this sticker on their cars care about other Canadians or Americans? Do they fight to have computers made in Canada/USA only? Do they fight to have call centres in Canada/USA only? Most likely no for many of them shop at Walmart, where most products are made countries other than USA and Canada. What I’m trying to say is that these people should live by one principle: refuse to buy anything made outside USA/Canada.

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by hong chow

hong chow — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:01:54 +0000

only amreicans would advertise that their cars are are american built just like that stupid sticker that every cocky american has on the back of their car, yet the PT cruiser is assembled in Mexico. Toyota builds more of there cars in america than fords chryslers and GM. Who the fuck cares what you drive, just drive what you want and mind your own business, americans are so cocky and full of them selves.

Comment on Out Of Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign!: Perfect example of economic stupidity by gary

gary — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:31:37 +0000

Anyone tried checking the power steering on a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3800 engine? They should change the bumper sticker from “Out of a job yet, keep buying foreign” to “Out of a job yet, keep building junk.”

Comment on Italic Handwriting by Patrick Ng

Patrick Ng — Sun, 30 May 2010 00:11:48 +0000

Thank you. I’m completely satisfied with my italic handwriting, but I knew I would not master this handwriting overnight. It’s been only two weeks since I started. I hated Art classes in college. I did like calligraphy but never devoted much time to it. We did not have internet then.

Comment on Italic Handwriting by Angele

Angele — Sat, 29 May 2010 15:09:04 +0000

Pretty handwriting =)
I’ve always been fascinated by typography. Back in my college years I learned calligraphy and I loved it

Your handwriting post reminds me of something I saw in one of Toronto’s subway. I think it was at the Leslie station on Sheppard line. There were those big tiles on the wall with various types and fonts of handwriting. Thought it was unusual and yet really nice.

Comment on G Driving Test by Patrick Ng

Patrick Ng — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:34:36 +0000

When you get out of the parking lot, you will probably turn left on Ottawa to go to the express way. Make sure you speed up to 50 km/h. You may be nervous and forget that the speed limit. You’ll get on the express way and head to the Victoria exist, turn right, then right again on Frederick. Then you’ll take the ramp to get on the express way again. This is the short ramp. Also make sure you follow the speed limit in the residential areas. Good Luck!

Comment on G Driving Test by donna permit test

donna permit test — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:19:17 +0000

hello there. thank you for great article. have a great day everyone!