In our present distressed economy, one of the greatest fears of our business and government leaders is that there might be a populist cry for the USA to begin producing for her own needs. And these self-serving leaders have good reason to be concerned. People are upset because they can’t find jobs and the longer one is unemployed, the more likely they will demand accountability for the economic policies that have created the current crisis.
Citizens who wonder why the government has passively approved the loss of jobs, factories and industries will become aroused when enough of them lose their homes. Those unaccustomed to applying for unemployment benefits will insist on a rational explanation for their dire situation. As the need for food stamps increase, the rising tensions of disenfranchised Americans will explode in the face of hopelessness. And as more citizens are swallowed up in the quicksand of despair, they will finally revolt and demand that government and business explain why this disease has spread throughout our country. Most likely, government will respond with more social programs, some relief and a lot of lip service.
Soon, people will understand the USA is no longer a productive nation. True, we may have the highest rate of production, but we don’t produce enough to satisfy our needs. Subsequently, we don’t have the jobs to support our population. A little research will show the USA has run continual trade deficits since 1975, and during that time, we have relied on foreign countries to supply clothing, shoes, electronics, automobiles, steel, furniture, televisions, flowers, machinery and a numbing list of other products. The net result of the trade policy has resulted in a cumulative loss of 7.2 trillion dollars and tens of millions of American jobs. All this has been justified by the ill conceived concept of globalism which promises prosperity to all but, instead, distributes immense wealth to a few at the expense of the many.
As Americans come to understand the disparity, politicians and their business benefactors have great reason to be concerned about a populist demand for protectionism. How can producing for one’s needs be offensive to the greater good of a nation? True, protectionism will impair the ability of large business to exploit the human resources of the world. It’s almost anti-capitalistic, but the idea of a self-sufficient county with living wage jobs available to all sounds more appealing than the economic quagmire that now exists. There can be no greater benefit to the world than a strong and independent America!
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