News / Polish Business, Economy, Politics, Mindset, etc. [14]


I plan on it, but there is only so much you can learn/do in 90 days.


Ya don't say?


No need for a crystal ball, just look at the big picture. Business 101, where can you get the raw materials, and who is going to buy the product. What is trade like between neighboring countries? What is the government pushing for regarding trade/tax policies.

News / Polish Business, Economy, Politics, Mindset, etc. [14]

Actually, I have been. Though I can't tell how slanted they are. Anyone can tweak the numbers to look the way they want.

What I'm looking for here is just general feelings/thoughts and personal opinions. I'd trust the opinion of 100 people before I'd trust the media.

As an example, I've read the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of Poland, and it mirrors very closely our Constitution. But then I look at how Americans are taking our constitution and bending it away from its intended meaning, Many wish to rewrite it, and several act like it doesn't even exist.

If someone from Poland wished to come here and asked me my opinion, I'd give it, I wouldn't just tell them to look elsewhere.

:shrug:

News / Polish Business, Economy, Politics, Mindset, etc. [14]

I apologize if my post was misconstrued. I'm not looking for business contacts, I'm looking for people's opinions.

As an example, manufacturing in the US has mostly been shipped overseas in the last decade. The only industries that are still here are aerospace because of FAA regulations, and they tend to be on the west coast. Commuter vehicle manufacture is based in the north/central part of the country, and the majority of racecar builders are in the southeast. Government regulation is relatively lax, EPA and OSHA regulations being the strictest. As far as workers go, the commuter manufacturers tend to be UNION members- getting over-paid to sleep on the job, race builders range from national teams with the best-of-the-best, to shadetree mechanics running in their local match race on the weekends. There is also a large hot rodding community in California, though local laws tend to be liberal, and there's a large number of Mexican immigrants. There are some light tool and die manufacturing scattered around, mostly prototype stuff, though the construction industry relies heavily on welders and sheetmetal fabricators for structural welding and HVAC, though they're union, they aren't as bad as the auto manufacturers, and it only takes certification from a local community college to meet the basic requirements. Big business is slowly pushing the smaller mom-and-pop shops out, and government contracts sometimes require kickbacks and knowing the right people.

Taxes aren't too bad right now, though its going to be EXTREMELY tough on small business once Obama's bills pass, though there ARE many tax write-offs, I highly doubt it will offset the hit they'll take.

As far as exporting goes, we don't really make much of anything these days, nothing compared to the industrial revolution of the 1930s-1970s. Importing is way too easy, personally I'd rather that big business were taxed accordingly on their imports so that it equaled the cost of having products made locally (using imports to make up for the demand that local production couldn't cover).

The midwest is mostly farming, with a large production of Ethanol from feed corn (fit for animal consumption, not human consumption), though its highly subsidized by the government, its creating the demand for advances in the technology to manufacture it from alternative sources.

Solar power is growing- one of the largest shipping companies has recently installed units on their westcoast warehouse, creating enough power to run the facility throughout most of the day, even feeding power back to the grid at certain times.

Get the idea?

News / Polish Business, Economy, Politics, Mindset, etc. [14]


I'm just writing what I've seen.


The cost of buying land in a well developed area with good infrastructure has tripled in the last 7 years. Yes, it has dropped in certain areas, but the cost of transportation and finding skilled labor in those areas more than makes up for it.


My transportation costs have risen 30% in the last 3 years, my cost of raw materials has more than doubled. Financing was available 8 months ago, now the only way to get a loan for a pack of gum is to put up $50,000 in collateral. Though I prefer being able to pay out of pocket for most expenses, aside from the usual revolving credit from steady suppliers, and knowing that I could settle all my accounts within 90 days and walk away.


There is a large domestic market right now, but when you see 3 of your best clients (3 year business relationship, ~$750K in profit) pull out because they've gone bankrupt, and your competitors close shop mainly because their clients decided to have their products shipped overseas, it really makes your stomach turn. Along with watching your smaller customers struggling to make ends meet because they lost all their long term investments and have to drastically restructure their savings plan in order to survive after retirement.


Thank you for the link, and your opinion.

News / Polish Business, Economy, Politics, Mindset, etc. [14]

Thank you,

Actually I'm in the performance industry, mostly american and import drag racing, with SCCA road race cars in between, along with prototype parts for streetcars. Though I've got 17 years experience in general auto repair, along with many national certifications. For the last few years I've been focusing on concourse restoration of British and European classics from the 50's and 60's (Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Prosche, Lamborghini, Fiat, etc.), and I have several years of tool and die making experience.

I'm researching my heritage right now, and that's the way I was planning on going, as I don't believe in marriage for any reason other than love and lifelong companionship.

I wouldn't have a problem making ends meet by welding fences, building construction and remodeling, or wrenching on the family sedan. Just as long as I can be a part of the emerging racing community; pushing for safe, responsible racing, and putting smiles on people's faces. While having a warm bed to sleep in, and a full stomach.

Basically work my way up as I've done here.