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South Carolina TV maker laying off most workers, blaming Trump tariffs

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By JEFFREY COLLINS

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trump doesn't seem to understand basic economics...most policy changes lead to winners and losers.

ps: a recent study shows the vast majority of new jobs were created in the parts of the country that voted for hillary while job losses were much higher in places that voted for him.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

bass4funkAug. 9 08:04 pm JST...

...liberals...

Any comment with crude, simplistic generalisations about "liberals" or "the left" isn't worth my time reading or replying to. In this case I think they're off-topic and should be moderated as this article is not about "liberal" policies.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You're practically salivating for a recession like 2008 before 2020, aren't you? Dream on.

they thought that leading up to the GFC possible but not likely. too many people think a good economy is going to wash away all the other crap and corruption that Trumps been exposed, and the economy alone will get him over the line. Dream on. mid terms come first if Dems gain control then Trumps basically a lame duck until 2020

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Whats happening ! Whats happening ! :)

Game over man! Game over! what are we going to do now! what are we going to do!!

Maybe we can build a fire sing a couple of songs, yeah!?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Then I would assume from that bold claim that everyone who has ever been laid off from a job in TV component manufacturing has had the opportunity to secure a job in some other part of the TV industry, and that reliable re-employment figures will show this.

I think so, but that would depend, every case is different, so we don’t know for sure.

How do you suggest I read a sentence that you didn't finish?

I did, you didn’t read it, please try again.

But the usual insinuation in a phrase like "If you don't want to work..." is usually that it's no one else's fault if you're unemployed, right? Especially if it's so easy to switch to something else?

Quite often, yes.

So if that's not what you were implying it's really quite hard to make out what you were trying to say.

No, it more like liberals pretty much believe or hear what they want as long as it soothes their souls.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

bass4funkToday  01:20 pm JST

What, automatically? Are you sure you read that correctly?

Yes, sir

Then I would assume from that bold claim that everyone who has ever been laid off from a job in TV component manufacturing has had the opportunity to secure a job in some other part of the TV industry, and that reliable re-employment figures will show this.

"Implying that unemployment is never management's fault?"

I didn't say that.

I know. Hence my use of the word "implying." As in something not explicitly said.

Can YOU please read what I wrote.

How do you suggest I read a sentence that you didn't finish? But the usual insinuation in a phrase like "If you don't want to work..." is usually that it's no one else's fault if you're unemployed, right? Especially if it's so easy to switch to something else?

So if that's not what you were implying it's really quite hard to make out what you were trying to say.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What, automatically? Are you sure you read that correctly?

Yes, sir

Implying that unemployment is never management's fault?

I didn't say that. Can YOU please read what I wrote. Thank you.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

bass4funkToday 12:50 pm JST

such that we can just assume a television manufacturing line worker can just automatically get a job in the completely separate field of television content production?

Yes, if it comes to that...

What, automatically? Are you sure you read that correctly?

now if you don't want to work.....

Implying that unemployment is never management's fault?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

As someone who worked in TV, do you think it's necessary for people to read news stories before they comment on them? 

Yes, but the MSM doesn't do that anymore.

Or are you saying there are no skills necessary to work in a news network affiliate, 

msnbc hired Al Sharpton, you tell me.

such that we can just assume a television manufacturing line worker can just automatically get a job in the completely separate field of television content production?

Yes, if it comes to that, now if you don't want to work.....

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The farcical facsimile of a human being by the name of Donald J. Trump is in the process of changing the United States of America into the Republic of Absurdistan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

FizzBitToday  04:43 pm JST

South Carolina television maker

*South Carolina television assembler is what they do, Importing parts from china and then adding some speacial features.*

You say that as though it is different from any other manufacturing company on the planet.

bass4funkToday  06:23 pm JST

Well, it’s never a good thing to lay off people, but having worked for years in TV, there are over a few hundred News network affiliates, there are. Ore than enough opportunities in this business to find work elsewhere if you want or if you have to.

As someone who worked in TV, do you think it's necessary for people to read news stories before they comment on them? Or are you saying there are no skills necessary to work in a news network affiliate, such that we can just assume a television manufacturing line worker can just automatically get a job in the completely separate field of television content production?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

https://www.statista.com/statistics/304367/vehicle-sales-of-general-motors-by-country/

If the above link works, it shows how many vehicles General Motors (GM) sold in 2017, and where they were sold. In 2017, GM sold over 4 million vehicles in China, as many as it sold in the rest of the world, combined. Trump's tariffs are not only crippling GM, they run the risk of putting them out of business. So much for the business genius of Trump.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

belrick:

No mention on this democrat filled site about the steel mill in Pennsylvania reopening after 2 years of layoffs, thanks to Trump's tariffs pushing Chinese steel out!

Yes, where are the sources, as someone just asked.

Another one of Trump's 'alternative' facts?

AP Fact Check.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I'm still trying to figure out how almost 13+ years ago I was making $10 an hour and could still save up to $450 a month, but now I get paid a lot more and can barely save $200 a month. Same services, same bills, same necessities.

While trade and the economy have been flying along in America, all the benefits have been going to the elite. And contrary to Republican's claims of the past decades, the money didn't trickle down.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Yep. And the GOP just passed tax cuts that overwhelmingly favor the rich and corporations, then told their working class base that that's the best option to help them. They literally gave the richest entities on earth, ones who have been capturing nearly all new gains, a tax break at the expense of the working class.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

I'm still trying to figure out how almost 13+ years ago I was making $10 an hour and could still save up to $450 a month, but now I get paid a lot more and can barely save $200 a month. Same services, same bills, same necessities.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yes, we working class citizens are being screwed.   Sure I've got a raise, but my rent, transit pass, cost of groceries, and some utilities bills I pay have gone up even more.  Lets say I get a raise of $100 a month, my cost of living will go up by +$250 a month.  If I get a raise of $250 a month, my costs for living will probably increase +$500.  Not because I'm spending more money, but because I'm being charged more for the exact same services and basic needs I get.   So I'm not really "making" more, I'm just getting a raise to keep my head above water to keep up with the increased cost of living due to corporate greed.   One can't invest in the economy as a working class citizen if they're barely making enough to keep surviving paycheck to paycheck.  

Also the unemployment is low only because some folks gave up because they have no more hope.   If the employment statistic is low, try looking to see if the homeless rate has gone up.  There is the rest of your unemployment rate.

I can understand very clearly why the old soviets version of "socialism"  called folks capitalist pigs, because of the insatiable greed and pursuit of excessive wealth. Capitalism should be about making ALL citizens of a country prosperous. Not  a select few

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/08/the-problem-with-bezos-billions/566552/

I liked this article because the people who have more than enough money, have been buying the ability to twist legislature in their favor over the decades. Jeff Bezos wants to go to space... instead of focusing on trying to permanently fix the problems of poverty, homelessness, and income inequality down here on earth.  Only the wealthy will go into space, while the workers who earn them all that money scrape what they can to survive.   

And now with Dump in office (enriching himself and his cronies) keep expecting to get more while never "trickling" down more.

As for the so called "conservative" partisan posters on this board, you're all the same. "I've got mine's, to hell with everyone else."

And you've yet to prove otherwise. And when you think your showing compassion, you're doing nothing but crocodile tears just to show, "See I care... but not really...".

I've never been a democrat, and used to be a republican a long time ago until I got tired of both sides BS.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

nishikat - You're practically salivating for a recession like 2008 before 2020, aren't you? Dream on.

There have always been bubbles. Look at the history. What is so different about Trump being able to prevent one? If the Trumps can keep 4% GDP growth for infinitum then let Barron Trump be president 30 years later. Can the USA keep GDP growth of 4%? If so then Trump USA forever.

You don’t know a single thing about me, absolutely nothing. 

You were (1) a SEAL TEAM SIX member, (2)worked for the Washington Post, (3)then become a CEO for some company. (4)You also fly back and forth from japan to USA by private jet.

For God’s sake they were content with a 1.8 GDP that’s frightening.

But it's no bubble like with Trump or GWB. The USA is in a bubble now

it’s the economy stupid. Nothing else matters.

And what is Trump going to say when the bubble bursts in the USA (because it is a bubble now)

but when they fail now, it's Trump's fault

Yes

4 ( +4 / -0 )

bass4funkAug. 8 11:05 pm JST

"instead focusing on the stock market. And we both know you don’t do any research on your own."

You don’t know a single thing about me, absolutely nothing.

How can that be when you're continually going on about yourself?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

You're just throwing off insults and stereotypes about the left and pretending that we're engaging in a conversation about economics. But in reality you haven't addressed the wage issue at all.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Serrano: "Yeah, but when they fail now, it's Trump's fault, lol"

When it's the result of his tariffs, absolutely. How is it NOT his fault besides you believing anything and everything that Trumpers do without said things having even a modicum of common sense. Oh my!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Of course I trust them. But they do know the economy

Oh, I see. You didn’t make that clear when you agreed with Trump that they are liars. Is it just the economy you trust them them on?

and as “James Carville” was quoted saying, it’s the economy stupid. Nothing else matters.

I remember you blowing that idea out of the water by posting that non-partisan historians regard the Bush years as a success despite him seeing the economy fly off a cliff on his watch. Clearly the economy isn’t the only factor at play.

You also posted a link to an article citing polls that a majority of the US electorate think Trump doesn’t deserve to be re-elected. Clearly the economy isn’t the only factor at play.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

You’ve never understood the wage issue, most likely because conservative media doesn’t report on it,

They do, they just know that liberals have always been historically bad at math. For God’s sake they were content with a 1.8 GDP that’s frightening.

instead focusing on the stock market. And we both know you don’t do any research on your own.

You don’t know a single thing about me, absolutely nothing. Once again, this is how the left get in trouble always. They claim to know everything, but they don’t know anything.

But it’s a very real problem and people don’t quite understand why it’s happening. Corporate profits are through the roof along with wealth of the 1%, but the working class, despite massive gains in productivity over the last several decades, have seen flat wages.

Because of the last administration not focusing heavily on the economy and the private sector, they were content with the hi unemployment, they were content with people taking their selves out of the workforce, they were content with people applying for more unemployment, they were content with people scooting more social aid from the government entitlements. So now a lot of people have to get used to putting money back into the economy and that takes time, it’s happening but not as fast as people would like to say that’s one of the main reasons.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Don’t trust the Washington Post.

Trump said it piles lies on lies and you agreed with him.

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-united-states-economy-doing-well—heres-why-26298

Of course I trust them. But they do know the economy and as “James Carville” was quoted saying, it’s the economy stupid. Nothing else matters.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

"Companies fail all the time."

Yeah, but when they fail now, it's Trump's fault, lol

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

nishikat - You're practically salivating for a recession like 2008 before 2020, aren't you? Dream on.

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Element TV Company will let 126 workers go, most of them on Oct. 5,

So ... they were laid off last year, before any tariffs happened? Seems like the business was failing and decided to claim politics.

Or in 2 months they will let some people go?

Companies fail all the time.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Trump/ Pence 2020!

What if there is a great recession like 2008 before 2020?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Yeah....about that......

You’ve never understood the wage issue, most likely because conservative media doesn’t report on it, instead focusing on the stock market. And we both know you don’t do any research on your own.

But it’s a very real problem and people don’t quite understand why it’s happening. Corporate profits are through the roof along with wealth of the 1%, but the working class, despite massive gains in productivity over the last several decades, have seen flat wages. Even low unemployment isn’t putting any kind of dent in it which, historically isn’t the case.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/08/31/the-economy-really-is-getting-better-here-are-two-key-signs/?utm_term=.822a6fb5cfa3

Don’t trust the Washington Post.

Trump said it piles lies on lies and you agreed with him.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Yep. The working class hasn’t shared in on the success and they continue to be left out.

Yeah....about that......

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/08/31/the-economy-really-is-getting-better-here-are-two-key-signs/?utm_term=.822a6fb5cfa3

Trump/ Pence 2020!

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Laguna: Kinda funny thing about that, Black. Real wages have been flat for the last decade. That means I'm not blaming Trump - Even Obama couldn't get real wages to rise.

Yep. The working class hasn’t shared in on the success and they continue to be left out.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

The economy is better for most folks, better than it was under Obama.

The national debt is higher than Obama. Gonna hit the big trillion soon for the deficit under Trump's watch.

better than it was under Obama.

As long as a crash happens. I'm fine if the Trumps stay president forever if they can sustain 4% growth per year. Maybe someday Barron Trump could be president. But if there is a crash then it will be worse than Obama. There was never a crash in Obama's WH. He was hated because he was black and Trump people thought he was born in Kenya.

I did just relocated to a different city or State.

Or Japan

I was and it worked out.

In Japan?

Also, fine with Trump's economy. But what good is it if you end up going bankrupt at the hospital (like you would not in Japan). What is Trump going to do about that? I understand Obamacare was terrible. In fact Trump compared it to slavery. However, healthcare costs are going up and up, so what's the point of enjoying Trump's economy when it goes down the drain at the hospital?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

BlacklabelToday  05:18 pm JST

The number of people with jobs IS at a record high. Nobody cares about your proportions” and such.

You mean you don't care because the figures don't quite match what you would like to believe. However you don't appear to be denying that it's all down to population growth rather than anything Trump's done.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I would hate the company that fired me weeks after tariffs were announced. I would question how a profitable company can fall apart in a matter of weeks and would suspect tariffs are an excuse, not the reason.

Yeah, but you're an extreme partisan, looking for a political point to score. These are people losing their jobs. Something tells me they don't have the same motivations you do.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

I think they are saying that 500 jobs were promised back in 2014 but only 134 ended up being hired to begin with. That would tell me this company has never been particularly successful.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Not everyone is guaranteed a job for life in a capitalist economy. 

That is not the point. Economists point to a 0.7% drop in global economic growth due to these useless trade wars - that's a whole lot of unutilized productivity, for no other reason than stubborn pride.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Yes and the Grinch stole Xmas.  How a plant with under 150 emp[loyees amking TV's could hope to compete with the global giants is beyond me....

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Not everyone is guaranteed a job for life in a capitalist economy.

Exactly.

Try looking at the overall low unemployment rate. The economy is better for most folks, better than it was under Obama. People can be re-trained for new/other jobs. I was and it worked out.

There is more work than you think, if you want, you can always find something or as I did just relocated to a different city or State.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

"Tired of winning yet?"

Not everyone is guaranteed a job for life in a capitalist economy. Try looking at the overall low unemployment rate. The economy is better for most folks, better than it was under Obama. People can be re-trained for new/other jobs. I was and it worked out.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Well, it’s never a good thing to lay off people, but having worked for years in TV, there are over a few hundred News network affiliates, there are. Ore than enough opportunities in this business to find work elsewhere if you want or if you have to.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

The number of people with jobs IS at a record high. Nobody cares about your proportions” and such.

When the crash happens (and they always happen) Trump will fail at the recovery. This is because he has failed at everything else. No wall, no Muslim ban, no Hillary arrest. That means no recovery under Trump when the crash happens. And, look record debt under Trump. When is Trump going to reduce the debt like he promised?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Still record low unemployment and more jobs available than people who can work. 

Kinda funny thing about that, Black. Real wages have been flat for the last decade. That means I'm not blaming Trump - Even Obama couldn't get real wages to rise.

What I am blaming Trump for is unpaid for tax cuts which will eventually be partly recouped through budget cuts of programs that benefit the working class. It's already happening. Did you know the budget deficit (not the debt) is forecast to exceed $1 trillion next year for the first time? How do you think Trump is going to respond to being the first US president to preside over a trillion-dollar deficit?

But the 0.01% got their tax cuts, which is all that matters. Just give me a break about how swell it is for the American working man.

12 ( +12 / -0 )

You have so much of “nothing” that all you have is to speculate what a person might say if something else you speculate does happen.

The number of people with jobs IS at a record high. Nobody cares about your proportions” and such.

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

I would then stop thinking about it and go get another job that is available from the 3 million jobs created by Trump and his be thankful for his 3.9% unemployment rate

How long will this last. Are we approaching 2008 all over again? Trump owns the great economy. But when there is a crash will he own that or blame President Hillary and CNN?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Sure it will be his fault when and if that happens. He will be held accountable to fix that.

Despite liberals saying otherwise, this is entirely the Trump economy and has been for a long time.

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

BelrickToday 03:32 pm JST

Absurd to think anyone on this site would ever recognise a single Trump victory!

It's just very hard to find any.

BlacklabelToday 04:56 pm JST

Insignificant in the big picture. Still record low unemployment and more jobs available than people who can work.

Yes, about that... from https://japantoday.com/category/features/opinions/ap-fact-check-trump's-imagined-steel-mills-russian-'hoax'

TRUMP: "Here's one of the best statistics ever. More Americans are now employed than ever recorded before in our nation's history. Think of that. So we now have more people employed working today than the United States has ever had." — Ohio rally Saturday.

THE FACTS: He's painting an incomplete picture of U.S. job growth. Due largely to population increase, the number of people with jobs is, in fact, at a record high of 156 million. But a more relevant measure — the proportion of Americans with jobs — isn't even close to a record.

Last month, 60.5 percent of Americans 16 and older had jobs. That is up from the recession and its aftermath, when many Americans stopped looking for work. It bottomed out at 58.2 percent in July 2011. Both figures are far below the record high of 64.7 percent, which was briefly reached in 2000. At the beginning of the 2008-2009 recession, 62.7 percent of Americans had jobs.

Don't know about anyone else, but I won't be buying that "record low unemployment" line again.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Why would they hate Trump? I would hate the company that fired me weeks after tariffs were announced. I would question how a profitable company can fall apart in a matter of weeks and would suspect tariffs are an excuse, not the reason.

I would then stop thinking about it and go get another job that is available from the 3 million jobs created by Trump and his be thankful for his 3.9% unemployment rate

-16 ( +2 / -18 )

Still record low unemployment and more jobs available than people who can work. 

That's fine. Give Trump 100% credit. But what if 2008 is coming again? What is the US is in a bubble like a decade and a half ago? Crash? It will be all Trump's fault.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Do liberals propose we drop all tariffs on China because of this?

Nope. The longer you keep up this ridiculous trade war, the more people who hate Trump will increase.

Stand the line!

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Insignificant in the big picture. Still record low unemployment and more jobs available than people who can work. Do liberals propose we drop all tariffs on China because of this?

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

FizzBit: so, that’s OK then, right?

The right is willing to sacrifice a few 'television assemblers' in their pursuit of unfair trade.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

FizzBit: so, that’s OK then, right?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Whats happening ! Whats happening ! :)

5 ( +5 / -0 )

South Carolina television maker

South Carolina television assembler is what they do, Importing parts from china and then adding some speacial features.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Trump the master trade negotiator strikes again.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Belrick: source?

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Trump's not a businessman, he's a brand name. For the last few decades, he's licensed his image (along with his daughter) - that's all. He has no clue about issues such as component cost or just-in-time delivery or incremental technology creep, and he shows no desire to learn. American businesspeople: Your president.

15 ( +15 / -0 )

Tired of winning yet?

13 ( +13 / -0 )

One of many such stories to come. Well done Chump.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

So buy parts elsewhere...

No mention on this democrat filled site about the steel mill in Pennsylvania reopening after 2 years of layoffs, thanks to Trump's tariffs pushing Chinese steel out!

Absurd to think anyone on this site would ever recognise a single Trump victory!

-29 ( +1 / -30 )

Oops

15 ( +16 / -1 )

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