Struggles in the United States Steel Industry
In the past decade the United States has encountered many challenges to its steel industry. The steel industry has changed tremendously since the early 1900’s when the United States dominated the steel market. According to figures on a Global Steel Business website, in 1900, the United States produced 37% of the world's steel. Now Asia produces 40% of the world's steel and China is the world leader in steel production. The United States decline in steel production has forced the United States to import 24% more steel in 1999 than 1998. (GSB 1)
There are many reasons why United States steel industries are struggling. One main reason is the recent increase of steel production in poorer foreign countries. These countries have weak economies and are able to produce steel cheaper than the United States by paying smaller wages and using cheaper, less safe ways of producing steel. (GSB 1) An article headed by Global Steel Business writes “ these economic stricken countries pay an average of four dollars less an hour than the United States.” (GSB 2) It also writes, “the methods used by such countries are abnormally dangerous.” (GSB 2) These changes have increased the United States imports from 98-99 from Japan 147.8%, South Korea 93.3% and Russia 53.3%. Another reason the United States is struggling is due to steel dumping. Dumping is the process when a company takes part in “pricing items below their production cost to drive competitors out of an import market” (SD1). Many countries, including Japan, have been accused of steel dumping by the United States. Countries such as Japan are able to do legally dump steel on the United States do to their foreign government subsidies (SD1). According to an internet site dealing with steel dumping, “The U.S. Commerce Department ruled that Japan sold steel as much as 60% below fair market value” (SD1). The United States steel companies can't compete with these foreign steel prices and are constantly undersold. A third reason United States Steel companies are struggling is the problem within the company's management. Unlike a century ago when large companies ruled the market, now most steel companies are smaller. A recent article in The Economist magazine explains that these small companies often don't have the managerial skills to compete in the “highly complicated steel market” (The Economist 83).
In paragraph two he states ”when we are confronted with grave crisis in Berlin and Southeast Asia, when we are devoting our energies to economic recovery and stability, when we are asking reservists to leave their homes and families for months on end…” President Kennedy starts each of his statements with “when we are” to address the sacrifices the people are making while the steel companies prioritizes in this dark hour, which shows they don’t care about their nation. He then shows us how this would be worsened even further if the steel companies maintained the high prices. Kennedy also states “It would make it more difficult for American goods to compete in foreign markets, more difficult to withstand competition from foreign imports, and thus more difficult to improve our balance of payments position…” He then repeatedly starts off with the phrase “more difficult.” This repetition, incorporated with facts, proves his point that the steel companies were unpatriotic and greedy because he shows how much trouble and difficulty the rise in steel companies would cause. Besides using the strategy of repeating words and phrases, Kennedy also uses statistics to achieve his argument.
Also, the competition between existing players in this industry is high. There are about 619,000 metal enterprises in the USA in 2005 (IBISWorld, 2007).There are many companies that produce different kinds of metal products in the market. Besides, the bargaining power of buyers is high because product difference for the buyers of the metal products is small. It is not easy to differentiate the quality of one metal product from another. In addition, the cost of switching for the buyers is low. The number of substitutes of metal products is also high thus the buyers have great bargaining power.
For decades, the steel industry has been one of the toughest markets on a global scale with most steel corporations ending up in bankruptcy. Foreign and domestic competitors, management issues, environmental issues, political agenda’s and technology have had much to do with the demise and more so of the success of the steel industry. The issues that this case focus on Nucor Corporation was of:
Tator, H., & Henry, F. (2006). Racial profiling in Canada: Challenging the myth of 'a few bad apples'. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto Press Incorporated.
This definition leads us to discussion on what racial profiling has been over the years and how it cannot be combined with other aspects of discrimination. Racial profiling has been solely based on, (1)The use of race, ethnicity, or national origin and not (2) the use of an individual’s behavior or information that helps apprehend somebody who has been identified as being, or having been, engaged in criminal activity. (1) provides different investigative methods( race, ethnicity or national origin) while (2) tells us about investigative methods and the goals or outcomes of these investigative methods and uses specific information on suspicious activities like individual’s behavior. Including this contrast in the definition raises two problems. Even though, because of these classifications, this article would be concentrating on combining above two opinions which contribute to profiling. And concentrate why more blacks have been stopped in driving as compared to whites or more Muslims of Middle Eastern origin were stopped at airport as compared to other people.
Well known president and orator, John F. Kennedy, in this speech about U.S. Steel and other steel corporations raising steel prices by 3.5% describes the issues there are with raising prices on goods. Kennedy’s purpose is to raise an objection to the rise in the price of steel and it’s possible unintended consequences. He creates an almost stern and factual tone to convey to the general public the severity of U.S. Steel’s decision.
When looking at racial profiling, it usually occurs in dense populations where black people live. In certain areas of Canada, there are high levels of violence of crime which include gun gang problems and property crimes. Yet the people in these communities don’t like it when their friends and families are bothered by police. They also want better job opportunities, higher salaries and overall a better living situation that the middle class are accustom to. Minority groups do not choose to live a life like this and as a result have to get passed the mentality that they do.
The boom of mining iron ore, coal, and limestone and producing iron in north Alabama during the 1800s had a tremendous impact on Alabama’s economy of the time. It provided opportunity for the expansion of the railroad and work. Cities were born around this industrial boom. All of these things encouraged economic growth in Alabama during this time.
This paper could be targeted at a couple of audiences. Firstly this paper could appeal to the general public, or anyone interested in school uniforms in general. More specifically, the papers audience could be the Greeley-Evans School Districts employees and board members.
In the early part of this century was a time when industry was booming with growth around the installation of major railroads. With this growth came the transatlantic cable, the telegraph, and a whole lot of steel. Steel would be needed in the construction of these new transportation systems and communications were now possible between businesses and industries. (Wren, 2005)
In America, “The World’s Melting Pot”, we are all unique and should be seen as individuals. Wearing a uniform does not allow for students to demonstrate their individuality; they have to dress conforming to the school’s uniform policy. According to Akerlof and Kranton, “...with attempting to establish a sense of community might be the loss of student’s sense of identification with the school, which could in turn yield lowered outcomes in effort and skills”. These policies leave the students questioning themselves and wondering, “Who am I?”. A survey, of 100 random students, conducted at Zapata High School showed that 72% of students reviewed felt that wearing a uniform suppresses their ability to express themselves as individuals. Forcing students to wear a uniform is also going against the first amendment, which clearly prohibits Congress from making laws that violate freedom of speech; it includes freed...
Despite all the positive attributes a school uniform policy may bring to a public school, there are also those who believe that these policies take away from a child’s self-expression which is vital to a child’s development. Those that are opposed to school uniforms also believe that uniforms are a “band-aid” (Kizis, 2000) for all the problems a school may be faced with. Nonetheless, in order to better public schools, fixing the problems they are faced with, should be the goals of administration, teachers, parents, and students alike.
...ckquemore. "The Effect of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Use, and Academic Achievement." The Journal of Educational Research 13 Feb. 1998. The Parental Action Committee of Polk County, Florida. 5 Apr. 2000 <http://www.members.tripod.com/rockqu/ uniform.html>.
As stated, in the article “The Pros and Cons of Uniforms in School” by Holly Charlonne, “some schools will look to uniforms as a possible way to bring together students from various backgrounds as a unit” (Charlonne). When the students are dressed alike, it takes away the social segregation that sometimes a child may feel if they do not have the same style of clothing as another child. Charlonne, also suggests, another proof of this advantage can be seen in the “cutting down the number of cliques that are formed in school due to economic or social status seems to have had a positive outcome in past from having students wear designated uniforms in public schools” (Charlonne). Wearing the uniform reduces the competition for who has the best clothes and who doesn’t, and allows the student to focus their attention on more productive matters. When the students all wear the exact same thing, they feel as though they belong to the group. The unity created by all students in uniform gives them an elevated sense of pride toward their school. Recent surveys have shown that “despite the fact that they (students) aren’t exactly thrilled about wearing uniforms, some students do recognize the benefits they offer”, in fact “54% of the students” included in this survey, report “having to wear a uniform didn’t compromise their identity” (Lake). It is for this reason that I firmly agree with the notion of public school
Many schools around the world have used a school uniforms policy. In the same time, Many people wonder whether students should wear school uniforms or not. Opponents of school uniforms believe that public schools prevent students to choose their clothing (Mitchell & Knechtle, 2003). Thus, students do not have a freedom to choose what to wear (Mitchell & Knechtle, 2003). However, proponents of uniforms, who I agree with, believe that school uniforms will decrease gang activity and fighting, and does not contradict with freedom. Moreover, uniforms policy has many effectiveness such as spending less money on school clothing, and improving in focusing on academics.