The Copperkeith "About Me" Page
Howdy, Fellow Ebayers!
I'm Keith, a 50 years young artist/craftsman living in southeastern Arizona. I've been doing various types of wood and metal work all my life; self employed for the last 21 years. I beleive that if you treat others with honesty, respect, and consideration, the vast majority of people will return the honor. That's the basic philosophy of my life, and business. Therefore, all of my products are 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
My Soapbox
I think skilled craftsmanship is in serious danger of extinction here in America, due to the flood of manufacturing jobs being lost to foreign sources of inexpensive labor. The producers of products and commodities {ie: manufacturers, farmers, & miners},are the "photosynthesis" of our economic ecosystem. Every job lost in these areas is multiplied, by some percentage, throughout our entire economy. Fewer "plants"= less "oxygen". There are a lot of so-called experts out there who think that we are "transforming" to a service economy. I disagree. We are doing the "Buy Now...Pay Later" thing...and those debts will soon become due.
No nation, in the history of the world, has ever gotten rich by selling it's FUTURE. But that is exactly what we are doing. Roughly $4.00 per day...$120.00 per month...$1440.00 per year... for every man, woman, and child in America. Roughly $500 Billion in government debt, per year, and another $500+ Billion in trade deficits (financed by the sellers), plus interest. Both amounts are growing. We don't finance this...most of us can't save...It's financed by foreigners. Our income is dropping...3562 people per day sank into poverty in the last year. (Source: U.S.Bureau of Labor...1.3M/365). Real "inflation adjusted" income has dropped almost 10% since the year 2000.
Let's look long term...We are rapidly shifting most of our manufacturing overseas. Also, for at least the next 10 to 20 years, we will still be totally dependent on oil...EVERYTHING in our lives depends upon petroleum. But even without Middle East sources, (yea, right!), supply will not keep up with increasing demand. (trying to secure the oil from the Middle East is the real reason we are in Iraq...period.) We cannot continue to buy more than we sell forever...there's a term for that...it's called bankruptcy...so we must, as a nation, start selling more than we buy.
WHAT CAN WE SELL?
Scientific knowledge? Technological innovation? Medical research? These are all promising areas...but our leadership is slipping in all three. Plus, they all require legal structures that protect intellectual property...copyrights and patents...that are routinely violated in other countries.
Bottom Line: We MUST resume the making and buying of our own products, and start protecting our intellectual property, or, unfortunately, I think the only remaining answer is: our military prowess. If current trends continue, we will have no alternative. It will become our greatest sellable asset. Unless we start making changes NOW, we will become a Mercenary Nation.
If you, too, are passionate about this issue, then please send your comments/suggestions to: keithbirlingmair@theriver.com ...You've read a brief synopsis of my views...Agree/Disagree...Involvement is what matters.
UPDATE
I'm now 54 years young. The continued loss of our manufacturing base has become more visible, and the effects more obvious...as has the trend toward private armies. And our national debt continues to skyrocket, even though we do a poor job of taking care of our own.
It seems to me that if we removed troops from some of the 90 or so countries where they are currently deployed, and encouraged more Peace Corps and other similar volunteers to get involved, our debt would go down, the rest of the world might hate us a little bit less, and perhaps they would buy more of our products.
I encourage all of you to check out some of the links below, and to Buy American whenever possible.
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User:sdugey ( 624 ) Date:Feb-08-10 06:34:29 PST |
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Praise: beautiful artistic A++++ |
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Praise: Even more pretty in person and quick ship. Very pleased. |
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Praise: Great Plants.. Great Seller..Fast Shipping...Awesome Packing... Thank You !! |
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Praise: Great Product.. Fast Shipping... Item As Described... Thank You !! |
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Praise: Great Product.. Fast Shipping... Item As Described... Thank You !! |
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User:ulsam( 22 ) Date:Jan-27-10 17:55:42 PST |
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Praise: beautiful, reasonably priced and very fast transaction |
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Praise: BEAUTIFUL!! OUTSTANDING CRAFTSMANSHIP!! A+++++++++++SELLER |
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Praise: GREAT SELLER, FINE ITEM. |
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Praise: Beautiful clock,very nice and fast communication,extremely satisfied A+++ |
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Praise: Great seller! Trade with complete confidence! |
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Favorite Links
CopperCutts Website
Mad In USA Website
Wal-Mart Watch Website
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