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THE GREAT CONN JOB
The raucous clamor over the possibility of burgeoning jobs by Foxconn Technology, like never seen in the history of Wisconsin, swept through supposedly liberal news sources, and arrived at the desk of the Geneva Shore Report last week. The GSR’s X-Files’ investigators were quickly assigned to the case when it was also announced that the workers in Taiwan, who are paid approximately $2,600 a year, would be replaced by Wisconsin natives to be paid just under $54,000 a year. That just did not sound right in a Southern Wisconsin, no nonsense, sort of a way. Finally, the manufacturer’s representative was interviewed and informed an excited waiting audience that the reason for the move of this giant manufacturing concern (the number one manufacturer of Apple products) was because the inner workings of the iPhones and iPads did not transport over oceans well. That last part was almost too much to take, considering the either very weird capability of inert electronic components to know anything about what they might be traveling over, or the simple fact that those same components, currently manufactured in Taiwan, certainly travel to the U.S. over oceans all the time.
When the history of Foxconn Technology’s other potential move was investigated, more things just did not seem to fit. Such as what happened in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. For some residents of that small city, there was something familiar about Foxconn’s recently announced plan to hire up to 50,000 U.S. workers, another claim of this company. The only difference was the scale. In 2013, Foxconn’s chairman sent a jolt through that state capital when he said his company, best known for making Apple iPhones in China, would invest $30 million dollars and hire 500 workers for a new high-tech factory in central Pennsylvania. It never happened. Foxconn never built anything or hired anyone. The Pennsylvania republican governor failed to get re-elected when the deal turned to cold black ashes beneath the dying embers of his campaign.
What’s happened over in Harvard, Illinois for the past fourteen years? A giant modern building, almost the size of the city itself, has lain dormant and vacant since it was abandoned by Motorola. Motorola came to Harvard and built the giant facility. High paid jobs were going to be offered, and everyone in the local area was going to be employed. Those jobs did not materialize. Minimum wage jobs did. Motorola stayed a few years, until all the tax credits and incentives were used up and gone, and then they split. Property values went back down. Stores and suppliers closed. Unemployment, even from the huge body of minimum wage jobs offered, dropped away without seeming end. To date, Harvard has not recovered economically from this great artificial “bump” of manufacturing.
What’s going on with the Fox Conn Job? Scott Walker is running for re-election next year, as is Paul Ryan, and President Trump is not looking so good to even finish out his first term, much less succeed at running again. What’s going on here is better timing. The Foxconn Technology Con Job cannot expect to be implemented in time to occur before the elections, but there is plenty of time to hope, pray, and spout all manner of grandiose plans, and lie about the coming of a state saving power not envisioned or seen since the time of the great rebuild following Noah’s flood. If there was a flood. If Noah existed. Mythology and belief systems do not require reality or science to proliferate, spread and have lives conducted in their names and rules.
In Southern Wisconsin there is an attitude that’s not a whole lot different than that seen in the State of Missouri. Show me. Before following this rolling thunder of a manufacturing show, and voting for those supposedly bringing it to Wisconsin, the public should stand ready, with arms folded and with a farmer’s furrowed brow. Show me!
There’s a thin line between an objective analysis and just raining on the proverbial parade. Foxxconn is by far the biggest thing to happen to our state in years and arguably ever. It’s more than just the jobs that Foxxconn will create, but the economic impact that will be had by neighboring businesses as well. This deal has the making to be huge for the entire area, not just Racine/Kenosha.
I often wonder how much of the push back is legit and how much is nothing more than Walker Derangement Syndrome. Many of the people who are the most outspoken against this project were the same ones championing “investing” hundreds of millions into a not-so-high-speed rail between Milwaukee & Madison because of all “the jobs” it would create. No solid numbers, no guarantees, just politicians “word” that the jobs would come. Funny how one man’s “game changer” is another’s boondoggle.
As for the Motorola comparisons, that isn’t quite fair. Governor Walker has already stated that the incentive package is a pay as you go proposal so if Foxxconn isn’t true to their word, they won’t get nearly as much funding. I don’t remember Illinois putting the same protections into their proposal years ago. Another difference is that in 2002 when Harvard closed, we were still in a recession so the economy played a part in the demise as well. Motorola is a manufacturer and designer unlike Foxxconn which is a secondary manufacturer. Trouble with Motorola products directly translates to trouble with their manufacturing, Foxxconn can adapt to the needs of the people they manufacture for or in the event of a disaster, seek other companies to do business with. Perhaps the biggest difference is that 25 years ago, Motorola was it’s own worst enemy. The company itself had as much to do with it’s downfall as anything, seen by the numerous layoffs and closings they had, not just Harvard. Here is a nice article that sums up what happened pretty well.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2014/What-Happened-to-Motorola/
I can appreciate using caution. Any deal of this size requires scrutiny, but let’s not cut off our nose to spite our face just because some might not like the person brokering the deal.
Appreciate you cogent input, Michael. We all need to be vigiliant.
Ditto, Butt! Wi. has a Ace In the Hole..’Right To work”/Non Union state, Unlike Morotorola had to deal with in Illinois..And why Illinois Govenors and McHenry surrounding counties didn’t recruit a Replacement for that Beautifull Building and Facility is Beyond me.. 2003-2006 were wonder full Yrs !
WHile we ( Wi and Geneva Lake area and Delvan) have our Own “Motorola Ghost Town Building.. Does the Dog Race Track come to mind? Just Sat Empty and rotting away..While our then Democrat Govenor did nothing..It had and still does have Potential for the Right Company! How about going over and doing a Short story showing that Building now?