Why is it that America is so short on jobs , but yet everything we buy is made in other countries?

[Kristen Schenavar]

SHouldnt we be creating jobs in AMerica by opening factories and producing our own products? This would help to stimulate our economy.

[CANDIDA R]

It's cheaper to pay a lower wage, in America their are strict labor laws. So the wage is higher which makes the company's profit margin lower.

[We NUKE You !]

...because YOU are ALL "Yankee" FOOLS ! ...you elect IDIOT as your President ! ...he is Socialist ! (not) in favor of making your Country as great as it once was ! ...soon, his CHANGE will have you making shoes for his Soldiers... just like I do with the people in N Korea ! Obama will be "Glorious Leader" ! ...just like me !

[Sterling]

I'd like to say "because we're dumb", but it's not that simple. It's because American consumers unfortunately demand low prices over quality. Since it costs more to pay an American worker than, say, a Chinese one, companies flock to other countries for manufacturing.

[Unca Alby]

America is no longer a Dumb Laborer country. That is why manufacturing jobs go overseas to where the labor is cheap, and requires little or no thinking.

America IS a Thinking Laborer country. What we do here requires more brains than brawn.

E.g.: memory chips are made overseas, where it's cheap to make. But the CPU chips are still designed, tested, improved, and built here in the US. Memory chips no longer require as much thinking as they once did, they can be built anywhere. But CPU chips are still more Human Brain intensive than anything else.

Where do you get the best Human Brains? Still in the Good ol' US of A.

What we need in America to create jobs is to remove a lot of regulations and create some stability.

A lot of companies desperately need to hire people, but they're afraid to. They're afraid (a) they won't be able to fire them later if they can't do the work (regulations), (b) the rules will change, so they'll have re-work hiring and firing procedures (regulations), © there will be new expenses added to employees (regulations), etc.

And even in cases where there are too many regulations -- if businesses could have some sense that at least the regulatory environment will STAY UNCHANGED for a few years, they could have some time to adjust. As it is now, you never know what the next administration is going to shove down your throat. That's why hiring generally always slows down right before an election. Businesses want to find out who's going to be in charge so they can plan accordingly.

Speaking of planning, I remember people complaining how a Japanese business would have a 10 year plan, and American businesses rarely did. Well who can make a 10 year plan when there's always going to be a new president in 4 years? A new president who will likely un-do and re-do and over-do everything the previous administration did?

The American economy is chomping at the bits trying to get out and really excel. But there are too many well-intended (but wrong-headed) rules in the game that keep things slowed down.

[salt]

you just answered your own question...we are short on jobs because most things selling in america are produced and manufactured by foreign countries (its beneficial for america $$$, because its cheaper paying asians or indians to work 8 hours straight and get pay maybe 3 dollars an hour while in american they have to pay a high wage compared to those countries labor workers)...therefore this makes a shortage of jobs and unemplyment rates go up...also illegal immigrants hurt the economy because they work and dont pay taxes which the population growth in america rises, the economy hurts a shortage of funds due to less taxes reported than people. Its americans own fault to not be extremely strict about illegal immigrants. Its ok to have immigrants but legal ones that work and PAY taxes.

[Mukesch Kaley]

America thinks it'is no Dumb . Manufacturing jobs go overseas as their labor is cheap, and requires r no manipulative thinking in which america excels .

US requires more brains than brawn, since that's with what they fool the world.

Where do you get the best Human Gamblers? Still in the Good ol' US of A.

What we need in America to create jobs is to remove a false sense of well being and be creative.

A lot of companies desperately need to hire people, but they're afraid to. because they cannot squeeze employees.Hiring generally always slows down right before an election. Businesses want to find out who's going to be in chair so they can plan.

Well who can make a 10 year plan when there's always gambling to be a new rich in 4 hrs?

The American economy badly needs to get out and really excel, to cater for high end lifestyle. But there are too many well-intended rules in the game that keep things slowed down, because scope for manipulations is much less.

[MadeInAmerica]

Hey Kristen,

Economics have basic truths, one is the 'law of supply and demand'. If we Americans don't demand Made In America Products by only buying American Made Products, then the supply will keep coming from the other locations. Although there are movements afoot now, they are only just starting to take hold. Mark my words, people are beginning to Buy American because their jobs depend on it. Once the American Public votes with our dollars that we want American Made Products, then the economics to support American Manufacturing will be justified.

Big business does not care about Patriotism, they care about money. Your last statement hit the nail on the head. We need to increase our spending on American Products and decrease our spending on foreign goods. The entire series of "Made In America" that Diane Sawyer did, which everyone reading the answers to your question can find on YouTube. Those are still there!

In addition to Diane's efforts, Thousands of people have banded together on Twitter and Facebook to provide links to Made In America Products and links to Product Search Engines. You can find me on twitter @MadeInAmericaSC (Made In America South Carolina - I had to append SC because Made In America was taken). If you search on the hash tags #MadeInAmeri #madeinamerica #madeinUSA these will get you into the mainstream of folks that do care!

If your audience reading your question and answers wants to find American Products, you should follow me on Twitter, and check my website that provides links as described above that facilitate you finding Millions of American Products. Below are some links that you might enjoy.

We cannot wait for Politicians to fix things here! We must fix them ourselves by banding together and planning our purchases of American Products. Instead of just walking into Walmart with a list of stuff to buy - go on the internet and get your stuff from Made In America companies. Clothes, Shoes, Household Stuff, Furniture, even the best Autos to buy are examined on the internet. Did you know the BMW has at least 6 American made models (Anderson South Carolina), that source their parts from 750 vendors, most of which are USA, with some from Mexico and Canada. The Chevy Volt is a great new electric car - Made In america. Need a Boat? Scout Boats of South Carolina are 100% Made In SC, USA. Evinrude makes engines in the USA (caution to not pick the models from China). Like Fishing? Some Penn Reels are still made in USA and you can find poles.

There are some things you will have difficulty finding. There is one model of Bunn Coffee Maker that is still made in USA. Computers - sorry, most components are not USA. Although NCR has made recent decisions to 'onshore' their manufacturing, and can justify their decison.

On the Video links below, you can see other Made In America Product Videos by looking at the Videos in the 4 icon square, and pick one of my other posted videos. If you need something specific, let me know - I do a lot of research on American Products, and have about 300 product links and Videos now. I plan to keep collecting these, and eventually sell American Products at my Web Site. Buy American, By for now.