quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

"Central banks are limited in their gold sales to 500 tonnes a year under international agreements. But still, not all central banks are sellers, including the world's biggest.

"The US is the world's biggest official holder of gold, at 8135 tonnes at the end of 2007, and it hasn't been selling.

"Unlike most central banks, the US Federal Reserve holds the bulk of its official reserves - or close to 80 per cent - in gold. That's because it can't hold its own US dollar assets as official reserves.

"The second biggest holder of gold is Germany (3417 tonnes at the end of December or 66 per cent of its reserves), followed by the IMF (3217 tonnes), France (2622 tonnes or 56 per cent of its reserves) and Italy (2452 tonnes or 67 per cent of its total reserves).

"On average, countries hold 10 per cent of their reserves in gold, although the proportion varies widely from one country to another."

[Source: WSJ]

quote:

ORIGINAL: ricken

Sorry, myself not a big fan of the U.S. subsidizing China. Look at all the poison drywall that went to the south east, antifreeze in toothpast, lead in toys....

The biggest thing that pisses me off, all the digital boxes the U.S. government gave coupons for, all made someplace else. Why not do wht China does? Subsidize manufacturing and keep the prices lower (and jobs) here.

Yeah global economy is a good idea but it aint working when all the players aren't playing the same game. China manufacturing is not regulated the same way it is here, EPA, OSHA.

As far as Jap car recalls, I read someplace the government whants to investigate some of their "recalls" or lack of publication of them.

Oh I drive Chevy Astro work vans, all over 150K other than usual maint no issues.

I try to buy American, and local, support small buisness as much as possible. Somethings are going to be imported, it's going to happen. But when a country has a track record of violations and fraud and unsafe practices shouldn't something be done?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Smutmonger

When you look at the cost of delivered American goods-by the time it works it's way up the supply,transport and labor chain.......as much as fifty percent of the cost of wholesale goods is in taxes. but people still stupidly insist that business is the culprit in offshoring.

They are not-they have to remain competitve in a global market-and are being hamstrung at home. It doesn't help that investment bankers are encouraging them to send thier business overseas-since they are more likely to get a return on thier loans if they do. So the real issue is to do with a wasteful government-but the politicos are not going to allow the media to run stories on that-they can yank fcc liscences if you buck city hall.

quote:

ORIGINAL: ricken

Sorry, myself not a big fan of the U.S. subsidizing China. Look at all the poison drywall that went to the south east, antifreeze in toothpast, lead in toys....

The biggest thing that pisses me off, all the digital boxes the U.S. government gave coupons for, all made someplace else. Why not do wht China does? Subsidize manufacturing and keep the prices lower (and jobs) here.

Yeah global economy is a good idea but it aint working when all the players aren't playing the same game. China manufacturing is not regulated the same way it is here, EPA, OSHA.

As far as Jap car recalls, I read someplace the government whants to investigate some of their "recalls" or lack of publication of them.

Oh I drive Chevy Astro work vans, all over 150K other than usual maint no issues.

I try to buy American, and local, support small buisness as much as possible. Somethings are going to be imported, it's going to happen. But when a country has a track record of violations and fraud and unsafe practices shouldn't something be done?

quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy

Silver and to a lesser extent gold do have applications in electronics.

the point is with all the trillions- when you add up all the US gold- that tally comes to only 300 billion.  which when taken in proportion is small money.

quote:

ORIGINAL: InvisibleBlack

quote:

ORIGINAL: ricken
Yeah global economy is a good idea but it aint working when all the players aren't playing the same game...

Free trade only works if you're making something that someone else wants to buy at a better price than they can get it at home. The U.S. has been failing in that area for some time.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Show me where else I can get a reliable, fuel-efficient, safe automobile that holds its value well for $12,000 new and drive it for 200,000 miles plus.

quote:

ORIGINAL: eyesopened

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

Show me where else I can get a reliable, fuel-efficient, safe automobile that holds its value well for $12,000 new and drive it for 200,000 miles plus.

I hate to disillusion him as well but my poor chevy truck has 210,000 hard miles.  Work miles, loaded with the bed down on the axle pulling overloaded trailers.  It had a starter at about 180,000, an alternator at about 204,000 and a rear u joint somewhere in between. 

Not to mention the in laws have slew of Buicks like LeSabres and Centurys  that have all run over 200,000 with minimal problems and they also get close to 30mpg on the highway. 

If you wanna buy your cute little toyota that's fine but let's not pretend that everything else is junk. 

I don't want to jinx it but my Nissan and my previous Honda all fit your criteria. 

My son now drives my Nissan and I drive my Master's Chrysler 300C.  So far I've been very impressed with the Chrysler.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SL4V3M4YB3

At least Toyota tried to identify and fix the problem not cover it up to reduce costs.

quote:

ORIGINAL: InvisibleBlack

quote:

ORIGINAL: ricken
Yeah global economy is a good idea but it aint working when all the players aren't playing the same game...

Free trade only works if you're making something that someone else wants to buy at a better price than they can get it at home. The U.S. has been failing in that area for some time.