After the water heater blew up (sprang a nasty leak), we had to replace it (East Sunday we had NO Hot Water -yikes- and it was a downpour of cold rain outside).
We survived until Monday, thanks to a shower at a local country club.
The plumber who came out remarked, after installing our new unit, that it was the last one made in America - we bought the same kind we had before because it lasted nearly14 years!
Now, they will be made in Mexico! Wonder how long it will last? Why do I think that the price won't really drop much when they start selling those? The new one installed was $720 - pretty good for a 14 year lifecycle. So if one from Mexico is $500 (I doubt it) how many jobs were lost to save about $20/year over 14 years?
Unfortunately, we are shipping our manufacturing overseas and the jobs that go with it. I've been in over 55 countries since the 1970's, helping them set up their own production for local needs.
Now it turns out Mexico, China and India will produce everything we use in our houses, from faucets to toys and water heaters. They have a cost advantage because the economy has gone global.
Maybe future wars won't be over oil - it will be China cutting off our water heaters unless we cave in on Taiwan! Or they withhold all the Christmas toys they make for us.
I bet after one cold shower many Americans would give up half of California and New York to get hot water again, to heck with anybody! Ummmm. Not sure we want to be this vulnerable guys!
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