Jobs &
Other Problems
What has happened to our jobs here in America?
In the 1970’s we signed a trade agreement with China under
President Nixon.
In 1994 under President Clinton, China devalued their
currency and their trade surpluses with America skyrocketed.
Mexico took notice of this and
started lobbying for NAFTA.
Two years later NAFTA was passed and they devalued their
Peso, and we now have close to a 50 Billion Dollar trade deficit each year with
Mexico.
Our trade deficit with China has hit as much as 50 Billion
dollars per month.
We also have unprofitable trade agreements with other
countries in the world.
Today we import:
One-third of our Steel
One-half of our Cars
One-half of our Machine Tools
Two-thirds of our Clothing
Nearly all of our shoes, radios, telephones, TV’s Cameras,
DVD players, bicycles, and Umbrella Frames.
72% of pharmaceuticals
56% of Engines and Power Equipment
67% of Communication Equipment
70% of Computer Equipment
64% of semi conductors and electronics
Since 1994 we have lost 700,000 jobs in the apparel and
textiles industry alone.
Those people now flip hamburgers and sell clothing at retail
stores for 25-55% less than they were making before.
More than textile jobs are at risk.
Mexico ships more cars to America than America ships to all
the rest of the world.
Boeing- General Dynamics-Honey Well- & GE all make
aerospace parts in Mexico.
China makes vertical fins, horizontal stabilizers, etc. for
Boeing.
Boeing may be going to South Carolina but it’s not the only
place they are going.
You and I in our lifetime have witnessed the
De-industrialization of America.
Many people in America feel like the Israelites of
Nehemiah’s day who said we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong
to others. In America, our jobs belong to others and people are feeling
it. Our politicians are the ones who have set the stage for our loss of
jobs.
We are short 15 Million jobs in America. Where are they
going to come from?
We would create 3.4 million jobs over 10 years if we
aggressively pursued the problem of solving the energy crisis in America, which
includes all forms of energy; natural gas, wind solar, nuclear, oil, etc.
Assuming we get the 3.4 million jobs, where are the rest of
the jobs coming from?
We must create in America a climate favorable for business
as past administrations have done before 1970.
This battle to protect American business is not new.
The battle started in the 1700’s with Great Britain
forbidding Americans to manufacture their own products, but insisted we ship
our raw materials to them and then they would do the manufacturing.
But after the Revolutionary war in 1789, Congress gave
George Washington it’s very first piece of legislation; the Tariff Act, which
he signed. And that generation saw the beginning of the industrialization
of America.
Still later, Lincoln said, “Give us a protective tariff and
we shall have the greatest nation in the world.”
President McKinley as a conservative republican fought for
the gold standard and a tariff. He won on both counts.
So this fight is nothing new. It’s just getting worse today
in part, because the Republican Party has failed to lead the charge as it had
in the past.
Here are some of the steps needed to help America’s industry
recover.
1. To help business today, we must peg the dollar to the
currencies of our trading partners, so they will no longer be able to create an
advantage over our industries by devaluing their currencies.
2. Cut corporate taxes so American corporations can compete
with foreign corporations. Our corporate taxes are far higher than the
average.
3. Fight for the annual audit of the Federal Reserve.
Congressman Ron Paul has been trying for years with no success. This
would create stability; business needs a stable environment to thrive.
4. Stop Cap & Trade. This will hurt most domestic
corporations; however, America’s international corporations will just move
manufacturing offshore, to circumvent the increased cost of doing business.
5. Protect the freedom of the American worker. No to Card
check. This also helps Corporations by not forcing them to deal with over
aggressive unions.
6. Stop allowing foreign governments to subsidize their
industries.
7. Repel the new healthcare plan and institute real reform
that businesses can afford.
The Republican Party presided over the manufacturing
preeminence in America during the first two thirds of the 20th
Century. But today both parties are to blame for the mess we are in, which is
one reason why many voters say they see no difference between the Democratic
& Republican Parties. Both parties involve themselves
with big government, deficit spending, pork-barrel politics and favoring
globalization which is where our jobs have gone.
This article is from Darrell Day, our President and founder. Check out www.outdoorlivingyourway.com for the best in US manufactured custom cushions and umbrellas, toss pillows, etc.
