Letters to the editor
Who's killing
America's jobs?
To the Editor:
Many reasons are given for the decline of American industry. But the most basic reason for the death of American manufacturing power is a change in our mindset.
Economic patriotism is dead. Presidents like Teddy Roosevelt believed trade policies should benefit first the American worker; that American families should have the highest standard of living in the world; that American industry should be superior to any other nation, and if that meant giving American manufacturers privileged access to U.S. markets and keeping foreign goods out with tariffs, they did it.
But the America-first vision no longer guides our politics. This generation of leaders puts the global economy first.
As internationalists, they believe if something is good for the global economy, it must be good for America as well. They refuse to question their assumptions and dogmas, despite signs of failure.
These free traders believe that what is happening in America is best.
Manufacturing in the U.S. once employed a third of our work force, but now barely employs 10 percent.
Our nation once produced 96 percent of all it needed, today depends on other countries for steel, autos, tools, clothes, shoes, and nearly everything that is electronic or digital.
In America, factories are shutting down daily while new ones open in China. Work projects are being outsourced while we borrow $2 billion a day.
Elitists tell us that we don't understand. That the old world is history, that we've entered a new era of interdependence, where free markets will flourish, and America will lead the way.
You tell me where our children and grandchildren will get a job?
Anton Epp
Goessel
