On 16 Nov 2006 10:54:21 -0800, "Chrisgiraffe"
wrote:

I wasn't aware of that C&E. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
At the same time, not to sound too nationalistic, but does America
make anything anymore? :-( I hear all the time that we're a 'service
economy'. Is this "service" maintaining equipment made everywhere else
under the sun.

Yes, America still makes things. The trouble is largely at the home
consumer level. There are a lot of fine options for American
industrial equipment, and even a fair number of consumer products
still made right here- provided you're willing to pay for what
something is actually worth when it's made by a free person earning a
living wage.

I'm with you on the "service economy" nonsense- I don't think that
even includes maintenance in most cases. As far as I can tell, it's
referring to short-order cooks and shelf stockers, though I have to
hope for all our sakes that it means something else.