Thought for the day May 21

You, and Main Street can take back the domestic manufacturing industry one pair of shoes at a time.

The time has arrived when the buying power of each citizen can show the way back.

Corporations hire foreign labor to manufacture things at a less expensive price because there is a market to sell these goods, the "market" being the vast majority of citizens who blindly purchase goods, say shoes for example; from the major retailers nation wide.

They would not do this if there were no market for the good.

The time has come to look at the big picture. Do everything you can to not blindly purchase what the corporations have produced, rather let corporations produce what we, the domestic producer who is the consumer wants.

Places where you can purchase "Made in the USA" shoes.

Thanks Alan Benchich!

http://www.unionlabel.com/carhartt-blue-jeans-3-pair-for.html

http://www.texasjeansusa.com/customer_recommend_jeans.html

Thought For The Day May 20

Hi!
Been away fro a few days. Been Busy!
Here's a vision.

I want everyone to take there shoes off at 2pm on Sept. 14! Why? Read this and see!

In 2009, to raise awareness for laid off Detroit auto workers, I hosted a Guinness world record event in my café’ for the, "Longest continuous musical concert." The event caused an incredible outpouring of Main Street support. Hundreds of Detroit musical acts graced my modest open mic stage, and when all was sung and done, “Main Street” had set a new Guinness world record! “The Assembly Line Concert" continued for a whopping 288 non-stop hours! The official Guinness certificate proudly hangs in our little café.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhCaQn7GZVI

To show that the Main Street spirit in Detroit is still strong, we held a second concert this year. Called, "Assembly Line II; Second Shift" Detroit broke its own record by 25 hours and now awaits Guinness confirmation to make the new record official.

As the owner of AJ’s, I've come to know many men and women of our area, their families and neighbors. One common theme I hear over and over again is that it seems like no one hears them. They grapple with who is speaking for them on just the very basic issue of their jobs and livelihood.

I've been pondering how to bring their message across in a substantial way.

The stories and efforts of Michiganders are among the most moving anywhere in the world. The spirit here is just so unbelievably strong. Think about this, through all we’ve been through together, our spirit is still so very strong! The people I meet every day, in my little café, compel me to push onward and try to make a difference. You make me realize that while we have a lot to do, we will pull together and make things better.

Here in Michigan, we know that manufacturing is the backbone of our economy. When we talk about it, most of us agree. But, the issue, as I see it, is that Americans are not BRINGING the conversation to the forefront. MANUFACTURING IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY!!! So the next question is, HOW DO WE STRENGTHEN OUR BACKBONE? What will our politicians and business leaders do about it?

I believe that Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy and that “Cross Trickle Economics” is the best economic model for a strong economy and is based on two ideals: First, that “Trickle Down Economics” has failed main street. Second, that Cross Trickle Economics supports local, domestic business first and foremost.

Cross-trickle economics: the relationship between the producer/ employee who is also the consumer; and the business entity/ corporation, who is also the employer.

Read more on cross-trickle economics :

http://assemblylineparty.blogspot.com/2010/04/thought-for-day-april-28.html

(thought for the day April,28)

To raise awareness, I am also proposing two additional ideas:

1) A proposition that September 14*, 2010 be known as: "National Domestic Manufacturing Day". This will lend awareness and attention to "all things domestically manufactured."

2) To observe and honor domestic manufacturing, a proposal that also on this date, September 14, 2010, at 2:00 pm, people take a minute to find out where your shoes were made. We ask that people simply remove their shoes and look for a “Made in______” label, or even Google it to find out. We will ask for you to send us your findings and we’ll publish the results.

Please help us put domestic manufacturing back into the forefront of the American discussion on job creation, won’t you please? Blog on and join the conversation!“The Assembly Line Party” at http://www.assemblylineparty.blogspot.com/

Kindest regards,

AJ

*This date carries significance in American history. September 14, 1814 is the day that our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key, having been inspired by the defense of Baltimore over foreign invasion.

Thought for the day May 10

I have just returned from a 3 day convention, the Michigan Governors Conference on Tourism with its slogan, Pure Michigan.
"Pure Michigan" is the "brand" and advertising campaign for promoting tourism in Michigan. Our state is blessed with unimaginable beauty on land and water, from the Great Lakes, as well as thousands of inland waterways. We have been a destination for millions, particularly in- state, as well as regionally for decades.

Much of the increase in Michigan's tourism numbers are attributed to advertising. The award winning "Pure Michigan" spots are now seen nationally. I agree, they are very well done. Studies have shown that over $2.00 come into our state for every $1.00 spent on advertising. The numbers seem to show that advertising is a good investment..

The conference took place on the beautiful and historic Mackinac Island. This auto-less, horse and buggy town is known for its simplistic ways and turn-of-the-century feel. It's slogan "where time stands still" is a perfect model for "cross- trickle" economics.

The Assembly Line Party is seeking to implement a study which will show how the domestic manufacturing industry is integral to the economies of every town throughout the USA, simply by entering the town's zip code.

Under The ALP ctdm (cross trickle domestic manufacturing) map, If I entered the zip code of Mackinac Island., 49757, it would probably show that nearly 100% of employment on the island comes from tourism.

Everything M.I., MI. is about tourism. Lets run my vacation as an example.

Firstly, I drove 300 miles in my domestic, Detroit-born auto through Michigan to get to Mackinaw City, at the tip of the lower peninsula. From there, I took a ferry ride over to the Island . I landed at the pier where I took a horse drawn taxi to the beautiful Grand Hotel. I stayed at the hotel where I attended speeches and seminars, ate, slept in a clean room, watched a little tv...I went into town where I bought souvenirs, ate, took a tour, rented a bike...

All of these activities had employees to perform a function or supply the good that I purchased. I spent my money to support the sole industry in that town. This money was regenerated into the local M.I. economy by the hotel, taxi company, bike rental store, gift shop and restaurant employees. The people who work on the island that provided me with what I bought, reinvested in their community with their own living expanses; food, clothing, shelter, recreation, health care...

But where did my money come from? This, after all made my stay possible, propelling the entire flow of money.

Well, I got my money from saving what was left after I had paid my bills (in a perfect world!). Essentially, my money was generated from the customers that ate and drank in my cafe in Detroit (Ferndale). They got their money to buy my food and drink from their salary. They may have worked in one of our automobile assembly line plants, or for a supplier, truck driver, sales person... any one of the myriad of jobs that are a result of the domestic auto and manufacturing industry.

A moral of the story? The auto-less, bygone days tourist town of Mackinac Island, Michigan, zip code 49757 would be nothing more than an historical blip on the map, were it not for the domestic auto and manufacturing industry, born downstate in Detroit.

Mackinaw City on the mainland would likely be a lovely fishing town of a few hundred people, if not for the residual effect of being the gathering point of thousands of autos and buses that bring all of the tourists to their town to catch the ferry that takes them to the island.

Bottom line:

The flow of tourism dollars and the generating employment is a direct result of domestic manufacturing.

Just ask MI, MI.

Follow the trail

How does the domestic manufacturing industry affect you, your profession and your town?

See if you can "follow the trail" from where the money starts and how it becomes what's in "your wallet."

Thought for the day May 5

In memorium to Ernie Harwell, who passed away yesterday, May 4, 2010 at 92 years of age. My thoughts are with Lulu, his wife of 68 years, and to Michigan, who says goodbye to a dear friend.

Ernie was a friend of mine. I am one of the fortunate of many, many others who had a personal relationship with him, not for any other reason than a man who, despite his stature, reached out to help me. I will forever have your example of kindness and humilty to carry with me as I live my days here on Earth.

Note* I'll be out of town until Sunday, May 9. I'll know more later on whether I can contribute to this column while I'm away!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

I applaud the celebration of of a rich culture and heritage.

The Latino community of The United States should be embraced and as any immigrant heritage. A people and a culture should be a shining example of the greatness of America.

The "idea" that is The United States should always be about the opportunities all people are afforded, that is the right to make a living and provide a home where the rights of our citizens , those inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are never given preferred status to anyone.

The need for "assimilation", that is the melding of ones history and custom into the custom and heritage of the country in which one chooses to live make for a sound argument.

Reconcilling customs and ways of life to fit into the best for a society as a whole is a good thing, provided it be reasonable and without undue hardship to someone.

It must be always an intolerable action to discriminate for prejudice to any person. Our society as a whole deserves no less.

Thought for the day, May 4

Gulf Oil Spill

I hate this thing. I hate that we live in a world dominated by crude oil. The growth of nations lay in its ability to mine or obtain crude.

While I preach the virtues of the domestic manufacturing industry, maintaining that this is the backbone of our economy; while I advocate the virtues of buying the domestic, Detroit-born automobile, the impact of our reliance on crude oil is not what the Assembly Line Party sees for the future.

Something to consider:

From Suite101.com
According to the DOE, coal gasification is already in its first stages of commercially viable application. The DOE is now studying the future gasification concepts and looking at the ways the process can be improved, in terms of costs, technology, emissions- capture, efficiencies and fuel flexibility. The DOE’s research, for example, is now suggesting that the same gasification process being used for coal could also be used – with a few modifications – to produce usable fuels from other feedstocks, like biomass, municipal waste, solid waste – or a combination of feedstocks.


While quite possibly not the final answer, the philosophy of common sense holds this idea to have merit for several reasons:

!. At $3.00 per gallon, crude oil is on par to be relatively equal to the price of syngas (coal/gas)
2. Coal is in abundant supply domestically (and world wide) meaning that we become more fully engaged in cross-trickle economics, the effect of which can offset any nominal cost differences.
3. The need to retrofit current combustible engine automobiles is not necessary.
4. The effect of cross trickle economics would leave more funding available to further the progress of the next generation of cars, which would move in the direction of green, alternative fuel sources, dictated by the market. We hold all of the power of this direction with our buying power!
5. Statistics show (DOE) that Co2 emissions would be cut by 20% due mainly to the reduction of fuel expenditure in crude oil transportation costs.
6. It would employ a lot of people in the USA and propel the mandates set forth by the Assembly Line Party, namely the right for a fair-living wage, as well as the ability to become the producer/consumer part of the cross trickle economy at a rapid rate.


Something to "argue!"

Thought for the day May 3

Go Blue! Go Green! Go Michigan! Go State!

Echos and chats from the crowd of almost any sporting event in my States two Big Ten schools.

On Saturday, May 1st, at the Big House, The U of M legendary football stadium, the 44th President of the United States, Barack H. Obama was the guest of honor, having accepted the schools offer to deliver the commencement speech to the class of '10.

It was, for all of its history a stirring speech. Never mind your political affiliation, as an American, this was special. I am a purist in this regard; I believe that we, as a civilized society should stand strongly behind our President as the duly elected highest representative in our land. My views, however contrary they may be should always come second to the respect deserving of a holder of elected office, especially the President.

As President Obama said in the Michigan commencement speech, we live in a land where dissent and the questioning of authority are civil rights. Disagreements, even vocal and assembled are guaranteed under the 1st amendment.

The philosophy of common sense would hold that argument and discourse are healthy means of finding truth. I submit that argument by way of debate and constructive dialogue between two dissenting views is how to reach the truth.

That is why I agree with the President when he suggests that we I listen to what the "other side" says. I want to understand where that side is coming from for the sake of sound argument on my part.

If, on the other hand I choose to name-call, yell louder, and sensationalize my "view," then I am not arguing. I am engauged in very childish, stupid and truly uneducated blather that can hardly be called arguing.

To tell you the truth, that is not worthy of discussion at any level that can lead to anything constructive.

It plays to fear and weakness and is a ploy by some in their position as politician and the media to keep people at the absolute lowest level of ignorance that they can.

And the only reason that they continue to do this is because people accept it.We turn in, we yell louder, call names and buy the sensationalism.

If we are ever to reach beyond these seemingly impenetrable impasses, we must give ourselves more credit than that. We are not that stupid and we deserve much, much, better.

I think that the "hope" that President Obama portrayed contagiously and convincingly that swept so many of us when he won the Presidential election, and became President 15 months ago has fallen victim to this mentality.

The ugly form of dissent that has come to be identified with outreaches like the Tea Party are a result from the rightful, grass-roots frustrations. However, you and I have been given a lame example of how to argue effectively, and it will get us nowhere.

What I hope for with the Assembly Line Party is to return all sides to the table to solve problems, meet challenges and reach goals by respecting what each person believes and finding truths by way of good, effective argument.

President Obama, like him or not, is our President. I think what he's saying is that it's OK to root for the home team, but the real blessing is that we have a home team.

Go Green! Go Blue!

USA! USA!

Thought for the day, May 2

A comment came back to me with regards to the cross-trickle economic theory and how it applies in this case:

A person is employed by Boeing to build jets in Seattle. In all likelihood, this employee is never going to buy one of the jets that he or she helps to produce. It's not like an automobile assembly line worker, who is building cars, that in all likelihood will be something that our producer will be a purchaser (consumer) of.

Simple, my friend Larry says. The worker at Boeing builds jets because there is a market for people to fly. A lot of people. In fact, flight is an integral part of not merely our transportation system, it is another "vertebrae" in the backbone of our manufacturing economy.

In this example, cross -trickle economics works this way:

A vibrant producer/consumer- business entity/ coporation climate exists which creates resonating demand for other domestic goods and services. In this case, the market demand for airline transportation creates the need for airplanes, which creates the need for workers who in turn are paid a wage.

The wage earner uses some of their income to fly, to visit family, take vacations, attend a business meeting...

It is the same mindset that a person would stop into AJ's Cafe for a bowl of chili or a latte on their way to or from work. Though not directly affliliated with the actual production of the product, AJ's Cafe is the benificiary of the wage earner and his or her ability to be a consumer.

Though some might argue that the purchase of non domestic products also reverborate into our economy, study after study shows that domestic spending contributes a much larger percentage of money that cycles back into the domestic, or local economy.

This is a prime expample of "the philosophy of common sense."

Thought for the day May 1

The Assembly Line Party at 2 weeks.

The Assembly Line Party believes:

1. The domestic manufacturing industry is the backbone of the American economy.
All other sectors of the economy,: Construction, Trade, transportation, utilities, Information,Finance, Professional and business services, Education and health services, Leisure and hospitality, as well as Government are directly related to domestic manufacturing.

2. The correct economic system is a "Cross-Trickle" economy. Cross-trickle economics is defined as the relationship between the producer / consumer and the employer/ business entity.

A. The producer is also the wage earner, who is also the consumer. These citizens make up the vast majority of the workforce of the United States
B. The employer is also the business entity: corporations or companies, including all economic sectors named above.

Our economy is at optimal strength when the producer/ consumer can purchase the goods made by the business entity, to which they are employed.

3. It is not good business practice, nor is it morally correct and lacks common sense to hire workers from foreign lands at the expense of cheaper short term production costs by replacing a domestic producer, who is also the consumer.

4. Under the Assembly Line Party, the right to a fair, living wage is inalienable. No other outside interest may supersede this.

5. Under the Assembly Line Party, all elected government officials are "peoples lobbyists." No other outside interest may supersede this.

6. Under the Assembly Line Party, Therefore, the responsibility of a government is to be the fiduciary representative of the citizenry. The mandate of laws that protect a citizens right to earn a fair, living wage are in the best interest of the nation as a whole and should be the irrevocable premise from which all law is enacted.