[bruinbirdman]

"If we don’t get serious now about rebuilding our manufacturing base in another 20 years we will be a third world debtor nation "

Hypothetically: a computer disc is stamped out in Red China for a buck; it is sold world wide for $150 bucks; where does the added value go?

yitbos

[gipper81]

Hypothetically: a computer disc is stamped out in Red China for a buck; it is sold world wide for $150 bucks; where does the added value go?

With your example: $1 goes to (outsourced) raw materials, $150 is revenue per unit and in-between goes to marketing, overhead and PROFIT.

You've identified the problem. We can't make widget for a buck or two, nor should we want to. There's no money in it.