Things that are killing the American economy

[Merlin]

Yes, human greed plays a role in things, but the movie industry and the music industry both have what is coming to them. Both of them, heck even the game industry take a dump and expect people to pay money for it. I think the voice of the people is quite clear. They fail at basic economics, which state that prices will be whatever people are willing to pay. People aren't willing to pay $30 for a Blu-Ray yet they sure as hell keep selling them at that price wondering why. Instead, their solution is to sue their consumer base. Way to win over customers buddy. Instead of suing the consumer base, go after the people dealing illegal material. People can't buy crack if nobody is selling...

Now do I think people should get it for free? Nah. People will buy media that is reasonably priced. Whether you like Apple or hate them, they got the idea of selling music right. Now if they would just lower the prices on their hardware...

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On the subject of people losing jobs, I always dislike the concept of people losing jobs in one area increases jobs in another. Somehow I doubt all the people who lost their jobs are sleeping well at night with the knowledge that they are no longer needed and their job slot was replaced by someone else in another field.

[Kaiden]

After reading through the thread I found it funny to have a Netflix add at the bottom of the page. 8.99 a month for as many rentals as you want or something like that. Retail itself is a dying industry. I buy books, computers, tv's, games, clothes, music and movies all over the internet. I may go into a Best Buy or FYE to look around but its much easier buying things online and usually cheaper. Every year during the holidays the news talks about how more and more people do most of their shopping online. As the retail Industry closes though other doors will open up. Maintaining the internet and sites is probably be a big industry. Working in warehouses mailing out orders that come in. UPS, or other common carriers are probably hiring more and more people with the added work.

[Tiffany]

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On the subject of people losing jobs, I always dislike the concept of people losing jobs in one area increases jobs in another. Somehow I doubt all the people who lost their jobs are sleeping well at night with the knowledge that they are no longer needed and their job slot was replaced by someone else in another field.

I'm not in the US, but this happened to me.

I worked in an Automotive Factory. The company I worked for was a Tier 2 supplier, and had factories all over the world. Anyways, long story short, they decided to ship our machines to the plant in Mexico.

We actually had to train the mexican workers to take our jobs. Of course at the time they denied heavily that our jobs were in jeopardy (what company would, right?) and it wasn't until they gave the notice that our company was closing 6 months later did they reveal that our machines were going South.

Yeah, not impressed.