Woodward Skate Park Coming To China

Wow this is a refreshing change.  It’s usually the other way around.  The United States wants something done, they hire Chinese contractors, Chinese manufacturers, use Chinese products, eat Chinese FOOD on their breaks, and bring all these Chinese goods back to the U.S.A.  I’m all for prosperity for the people who make up ¼ of my blood line, but come on.  That means there are no longer goods being made here at home, which leads to what we are experiencing now: high unemployment.  You cannot have an economy grow without manufacturing.  Several decades ago, making things in our country made up over 30% of the economy.  Now it’s down to 8%.  That’s scary.  Just look around your house.  How many things can you find made in the U.S.A.?  Let me take a guess.  Everything in your fridge?  The plants?  Your homemade VIDEOS?  Not much. 

Living in the city, I don’t have the luxury to visit a WALMART too often.  But I was in Vegas this past Thanksgiving Holiday and they had a Super Wal-Mart near where I was staying.  I couldn’t believe the prices on some of their products, and these weren’t Black Friday prices either.  They were what was printed on the price tags.  Like $14 winter marshmallow jackets!  Those things are usually at least $50.  A pack of socks for $7.  I stocked up so that I don’t have to wear the same pair twice for at least 2 months.   But if you look at where all these items were made, they were a long way from America.  Being the ethnocentric person that I am, I’m talking about the United States of America.  

Those who know me would probably think I’m a FOB.  But for those who don’t know me probably think I’m some LOU DOBBS wannabee and I’m neither.  Plus I hate Lou.  I’m more like Lou Fobbs.  But I understand the basic ingredients to a flourishing economy and this country is not following any of the standards. 

But at least we can go over there and make something they can’t do great just yet.  Making awesome skateparks is something we will be ahead of the game on for a few years until they catch up.  The people making skate parks aren’t architects or mathematicians either.  They come from the streets.  I think that last line could be the tag for a movie.  Let us have the special skills being hired within the country and outside the country and we as a whole can be back at the top of the world.