Thought of the day .

[C.J.]

Putting my shoes on this morning and what do I see?

They’re ‘assembled’ here but not necessarily ‘made here’. There is a difference. Take for a moment and stop to think about exactly how much of your life that you’re currently living isn’t made here. How will these potential tariffs affect you? Maybe they look good in the long run but can you survive the short term?

I’ve recently made a couple major purchases before any tariffs hit, because I realize nothing is made here in America anymore. How about you? What is your life lookin like now, and in the near coming future, with any potential tariffs.

 

[Floorist]

Putting my shoes on this morning and what do I see? View attachment 20764

They’re ‘assembled’ here but not necessarily ‘made here’. There is a difference. Take for a moment and stop to think about exactly how much of your life that you’re currently living isn’t made here. How will these potential tariffs affect you? Maybe they look good in the long run but can you survive the short term?

I’ve recently made a couple major purchases before any tariffs hit, because I realize nothing is made here in America anymore. How about you? What is your life lookin like now, and in the near coming future, with any potential tariffs.

Supplies of some foods will get tight.

 

[MSLI]

Life is more of a process with intended directions, that we need to observe, be curious about, understanding and give it time before judging. If we try to force results onto the opposition, we only create an enemy, rather than an adversary, both moving towards a process for improvement. Hopefully that makes sense peace out .

Watching the golf channel today and the interviews after the second round. I was impressed with David Kim’s reply, when asked how he remained so focused. he replied by saying he’s working the process and not concerned about the results or looking at the leaderboard. That’s what I’m talking about. If we forget about the noise around us and focus on the process, the results will take care of themselves. Just like what happened with Emilio Grillo and his hole in one today. Life is not predictable, examine the results, then change the process to increase the percentages for the desired result. Sometimes the ball hits the flag stick and rolls into the water for a penalty stroke and other times it rolls around the cup six times and then drops into the hole….. Leave the results to fate, and only focus on the process.

 

[highup]

Gotta be careful though. My ex tried those kind of negotiation tactics, which is why she’s now my ex. Some people, or countries, don’t play that way.

It's good to be the King. Would you want to be Panama, Canada or Venezuela, making demands on the US?

 

[highup]

Putting my shoes on this morning and what do I see? View attachment 20764

They’re ‘assembled’ here but not necessarily ‘made here’. There is a difference. Take for a moment and stop to think about exactly how much of your life that you’re currently living isn’t made here. How will these potential tariffs affect you? Maybe they look good in the long run but can you survive the short term?

I’ve recently made a couple major purchases before any tariffs hit, because I realize nothing is made here in America anymore. How about you? What is your life lookin like now, and in the near coming future, with any potential tariffs.

I'm not concerned the slightest to be quite honest. I think the world recognizes for the first time in 4 years, America has a leader. The know where he stands and they know that when he says something, he's "not joking".
He says he wants an equal playing field not trade imbalances.
China imposed a restriction on some precious metals sales because of the tariffs.
All our medicines are made in China.
Maybe this will wake us the hell up and give the middle finger to environmentalists, this allowing us to mine for whatever "rare earth minerals" we have here.
Is it not absolutely crazy that our biggest threat owns our ass and WE ALLOW IT.
Will China sell us chips for our military jets should we ever be at war with them?
Will they sell us medicine if we're at war with each other?
How did we not know this was possible?
...we did, but $$$$" is a temptress.

 

[C.J.]

How did we not know this was possible?
...we did, but $$$$" is a temptress.

The people that outsourced everything we need for daily life knew exactly what they were doing. We, as Americans, all went along with it because we, as a whole, are too dumb to think about anything but the immediate price we’re gonna pay for something; and now here we are all paying the extended cost for everything.

Another thing to think about is the fact that some of the stuff we do make here in the USA isn’t the best of quality compared to what’s available from other countries. We’ve lost our edge and don’t give a crap about anything but profit. Boeing is a perfect example of this. The term for this is enshitification. I don’t think there is an actual fix for it because the real problem is our mentality, which is so deeply engrained in society.

Kinda funny, then sad, when you stop and think about the gravity of the situation. I’m thankful that I’m older and a little more insulated than a lot of people out there. It’s gonna get rough before it gets better.

 

[MSLI]

The people that outsourced everything we need for daily life knew exactly what they were doing. We, as Americans, all went along with it because we, as a whole, are too dumb to think about anything but the immediate price we’re gonna pay for something; and now here we are all paying the extended cost for everything.

Great Observation, CJ. I think it’s a combination of dumb and lazy. That’s why it’s so important to teach the younger and older generation about long term function. Because! If the process doesn’t provide a long term foundation, then all the continued short term gains could be hypnotizing and conditioning us to remain dumb and lazy.

 

[highup]

The people that outsourced everything we need for daily life knew exactly what they were doing. We, as Americans, all went along with it because we, as a whole, are too dumb to think about anything but the immediate price we’re gonna pay for something; and now here we are all paying the extended cost for everything.

Another thing to think about is the fact that some of the stuff we do make here in the USA isn’t the best of quality compared to what’s available from other countries. We’ve lost our edge and don’t give a crap about anything but profit. Boeing is a perfect example of this. The term for this is enshitification. I don’t think there is an actual fix for it because the real problem is our mentality, which is so deeply engrained in society.

Kinda funny, then sad, when you stop and think about the gravity of the situation. I’m thankful that I’m older and a little more insulated than a lot of people out there. It’s gonna get rough before it gets better.

Part of the problem is we can't change much. What shoe company went overseas first, Adidas ? When a major player moved manufacturing overseas and could make the same product 10X cheaper, it forced everyone else to do the same or go out of business. I don't know how this process could have been stopped. Corporation loyalty to the US changed and their markets got continually larger as society evolved. The only way to bring some of these companies back, is probably automation, making products 5X faster. Automation isn't a big employer, so what's to be gained?
Here's my fix..... I can't change anything, so....

 

[C.J.]

Part of the problem is we can't change much. What shoe company went overseas first, Adidas ? When a major player moved manufacturing overseas and could make the same product 10X cheaper, it forced everyone else to do the same or go out of business. I don't know how this process could have been stopped. Corporation loyalty to the US changed and their markets got continually larger as society evolved. The only way to bring some of these companies back, is probably automation, making products 5X faster. Automation isn't a big employer, so what's to be gained?
Here's my fix..... I can't change anything, so....

In some ways you’re absolutely right. If there’s nothing you can do about it then what’s the point in getting all worked up about it in the first place.

 

[C.J.]

Part of the problem is we can't change much. What shoe company went overseas first, Adidas ? When a major player moved manufacturing overseas and could make the same product 10X cheaper, it forced everyone else to do the same or go out of business. I don't know how this process could have been stopped. Corporation loyalty to the US changed and their markets got continually larger as society evolved. The only way to bring some of these companies back, is probably automation, making products 5X faster. Automation isn't a big employer, so what's to be gained?
Here's my fix..... I can't change anything, so....

Thinking about it, what’s the difference between a company exporting their labor overseas and an installer using a stinger. Both actions result in more profit for the respective parties. Or maybe it’s an airline shrinking their seat sizes so they can squeeze more people into the same size aircraft. Nothing personal, it’s just business, and this is how you make money.

I have found it interesting for a long time now how we apply different standards to individuals vs corporations. You would call an installer a hack that takes shortcuts but you’ll buy stock in a corporation that does the same thing, then sell it right before the scandal comes out.

There is a way to fix this. Citizens v United needs to be repealed. That’s not what this country voted for so here we are.

 

[Floorist]

Thinking about it, what’s the difference between a company exporting their labor overseas and an installer using a stinger. Both actions result in more profit for the respective parties. Or maybe it’s an airline shrinking their seat sizes so they can squeeze more people into the same size aircraft. Nothing personal, it’s just business, and this is how you make money.

I have found it interesting for a long time now how we apply different standards to individuals vs corporations. You would call an installer a hack that takes shortcuts but you’ll buy stock in a corporation that does the same thing, then sell it right before the scandal comes out.

There is a way to fix this. Citizens v United needs to be repealed. That’s not what this country voted for so here we are.

I used a stinger for years in public housing. Carpet was usually destroyed in 3 months anyway.

 

[C.J.]

I used a stinger for years in public housing. Carpet was usually destroyed in 3 months anyway.

I was trying to get into new construction years ago and I was having a hard time because I wasn’t fast enough. 100 yards would take me 2 days back then and the builders wanted it done in 1 so I wasn’t getting any jobs unless the other crews were too busy. On one of those days when I was lucky enough to get thrown a bone, I wandered next door to see what the other crews were doing to make them so much faster than I was. I’ll be damned if every one of those guys didn’t have a stinger on the end of their stretchers, and this was for a shop with a no stinger rule. In that moment I realized what I had to do to be competitive.

 

[highup]

In some ways you’re absolutely right. If there’s nothing you can do about it then what’s the point in getting all worked up about it in the first place.

If my blood wasn't pumped up I might die...
So I guess it's partly to keep me young and healthy
It's hard growing up in America, and you remember the factory pride and advertisements of those good old, overbuilt, heavy duty consumer tools.... jigsaws, "Skillsaws", washers and dryers, refrigerators. MADE IN AMERICA was stamped on everything. It didn't matter the product.... Everything lasted 45 to 60 years.
I mean... We made the best everything.
At Habitat, I've seen those Monkey Wards 4 by 6 sanders that probably run good as new. Stanley, Proto and SK hand tools, "vintage" combination squares that are 50 years old without brand names and even those are 20x better quality wise than anything you can buy today.
Stuff today is largely disposable crap.
I guess I'm frustrated because I'm an old geezer that likes the world I grew up in.

 

[highup]

Thinking about it, what’s the difference between a company exporting their labor overseas and an installer using a stinger. Both actions result in more profit for the respective parties. Or maybe it’s an airline shrinking their seat sizes so they can squeeze more people into the same size aircraft. Nothing personal, it’s just business, and this is how you make money.

I have found it interesting for a long time now how we apply different standards to individuals vs corporations. You would call an installer a hack that takes shortcuts but you’ll buy stock in a corporation that does the same thing, then sell it right before the scandal comes out.

There is a way to fix this. Citizens v United needs to be repealed. That’s not what this country voted for so here we are.

I won't use a stinger to make money, but I will repair stinger damage and charge money.
When money is the end game and pride and quality has left the building....... well, that's where we are now.... no better than the crap we import.

I'm drawing a blank with the citizens V United part. We voted for Drill Baby Drill, ignoring the climate change hoax, saying by by to electric car MANDATES, enforcing US border laws, reduced government size and no boys showering together in girls locker rooms...
(During school hours) .

 

[highup]

A star is born. He's gonna go places.

 

[MSLI]

I'm drawing a blank with the citizens V United part.

Me too … Hey C. J. Can you dummy proof this issue for us. Thx !

 

[MSLI]

I won't use a stinger to make money, but I will repair stinger damage and charge money.
When money is the end game and pride and quality has left the building....... well, that's where we are now.... no better than the crap we import.

used a stinger for years in public housing. Carpet was usually destroyed in 3 months anyway.

Thanks for those replies Highup and Rusty, let me add some more and elaborate.

This is a good example of ‘ point counterpoint ‘ and how we can applying Understanding to both sides without judging either one too harshly, or dare I say, not judge them at all.

Highup is making a good point about the value behind giving quality service and products at a higher price point…. and that’s easy to understand.

Rusty is making a counterpoint about the value behind quick service and or disposable products at a lower price point …and that’s easy to understand.

Conclusion:
Apply Understanding to all oppositional forces to eliminate our personal egoic judgment, which by the way conditions us to live externally. Then ! simply make a choice one way, or the other, or some sort of creative combination. This allows us to live parallel with opposition, which by the way, conditions us to live internally, and if you remember my last post somewhere along the way, I mentioned internal living provides goodness to ourselves and others.

Maybe if you feel the need or want to mentor an opponent, who appears to be open minded, you could politely invite them to come on your side and to give it a try, with no expectations that they will make that choice. BECAUSE ! Freewill is a powerful thing, we must allow it to remain intact for me and you, because, if we try to control it, it will only produce conflict and conflict usually encourages more conflict…… Then simply go back to parallel living with the opposition.

 

[Floorist]

Thanks for those replies Highup and Rusty, let me add some more and elaborate.

This is a good example of ‘ point counterpoint ‘ and how we can applying Understanding to both sides without judging either one too harshly, or dare I say, not judge them at all.

Highup is making a good point about the value behind giving quality service and products at a higher price point…. and that’s easy to understand.

Rusty is making a counterpoint about the value behind quick service and or disposable products at a lower price point …and that’s easy to understand.

Conclusion:
Apply Understanding to all oppositional forces to eliminate our personal egoic judgment, which by the way conditions us to live externally. Then ! simply make a choice one way, or the other, or some sort of creative combination. This allows us to live parallel with opposition, which by the way, conditions us to live internally, and if you remember my last post somewhere along the way, I mentioned internal living provides goodness to ourselves and others.

Maybe if you feel the need or want to mentor an opponent, who appears to be open minded, you could politely invite them to come on your side and to give it a try, with no expectations that they will make that choice. BECAUSE ! Freewill is a powerful thing, we must allow it to remain intact for me and you, because, if we try to control it, it will only produce conflict and conflict usually encourages more conflict…… Then simply go back to parallel living with the opposition.

I never damaged a piece of carpet using a stinger. You just have to know what you are doing.

 

[highup]

I never damaged a piece of carpet using a stinger. You just have to know what you are doing.

Most of the carpets I've installed are higher end carpets and I've felt bumps in osb where a stinger was used. One job that did years back was replacing carpet in a retirement condo. It was gypcrete over plywood. There were inverted pyramids of 'sand' every two feet around the perimeter where the dummy used a stinger. The broken gypcrete, being largely in walking areas had been walked back into powder form over the years.
I've pulled up carpet that was installed over hardwood floors and seen the stinger marks, destroying a lot of boards. One customer who was having his hardwood floors refinished was upset over the number of boards that needed replacing.
He said it looked like someone drove a nail into the boards and then pulled them out with a crow bar. Stingers have their place, I just don't like them. I've borrowed one
... 3 times maybe? They worked fine.
If I have a job that will take two days with either method, the second day might be shorter by a little with the stinger, but it's still two days.

 

[C.J.]

I've pulled up carpet that was installed over hardwood floors and seen the stinger marks, destroying a lot of boards. One customer who was having his hardwood floors refinished was upset over the number of boards that needed replacing.
He said it looked like someone drove a nail into the boards and then pulled them out with a crow bar. Stingers have their place, I just don't like them. I've borrowed one

Gotta be honest, those customers can go fly a kite. If you really wanted to save your hardwoods, you wouldn’t be installing carpet over top of them. Besides, they were paying $3.50 a yard, same thing as the I’m gonna use a stinger on your floor crews get paid. So don’t get pissed when I do the same, cus that’s all they were paying for! Chedda speaks louder than words. How about those customers that put up that cheesy thin ass paint masking paper over top of their baseboards then expect me to ‘be careful’ for, wait for it…, the same price as the I won’t be careful with your baseboards crew. No such thing as a free lunch, either pay up or shut up. I’m over it. Guilt is like a sack of bricks. I’ve heard that somewhere before. Lol.

Me too … Hey C. J. Can you dummy proof this issue for us. Thx !

It was the court case back in the ‘20’s?, 30’s? that gave corporations all the same rights as human beings, or something to that effect. A corporation is basically an entity with no soul. Tell me if a specific individual, as opposed to a corporation, made the decision to light that train in Ohio on fire that somebody wouldn’t be going to jail by now. Who you gonna jail with a corporation? There is no actual being to hold responsible. Sure, you can fine the corporation, but that’s just the cost of doing business anymore. What is a $5 million dollar fine to a corporation that just made $500 million off of the offense. I’ll bet somebody got a bonus off of that because in the end they still made $495 million. Somebody using a stinger or kicking a room in is no different as far as the actions go. Only difference is there is an actual soul in the equation.

When money is the end game and pride and quality has left the building

You live in a small town, things are different there. I live in the city. It’s expensive here so money is my end game. Always has been. In fact it’s the only game. Why did you get a job in the first place? To make money. That’s why I got my first job. Why do you still have a job right now? To make money. Me too. That’s why I get up and go every morning. It’s life and to not recognize and accept that fact is, IMO, doing yourself a disservice. You don’t have to be a dirtbag about making money but I think we can all agree that money IS the reason for the season, and I have no shame in admitting that. If you want a good price, call Jose before he gets deported.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts. We all live different lives. Different towns, different regions of the country. What works for me here won’t necessarily work for me somewhere else and vice versa. I know that first hand. That’s why I’m here and not there. My attitude wouldn’t fly too well in a small town