On Sat, 9 May 2009 21:02:29 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


Now, if *I* were king, I think I'd put a major focus on correcting our trade
deficits. Screw being a nice guy. We need motivation, financial and
otherwise, to encourage a rebirth of manufacturing here, not there.
Increase tariffs on imported goods. Fight fire with fire. That in itself
would go a long ways to revitalizing our manufacturing base. I'd focus on
giving our proven system the tools it needs to compete in a global economy.
Good for China if it can produce a TV for 33 cents. We can't, and we aren't
going to try. The Chinese TV is going to have to cost about what ours sell
for. Besides, the Chinese haven't figured out how to make a power supply yet
that doesn't blow up or catch fire.

Please reconcile the above with the below...

But, we'll survive. I am much more optimistic than I was a few months ago.
Obama and his policies may help ease the pain temporarily, but it will be
our free market, capitalistic system that will ensure our long term survival
and prosperity.

I'm in agreement with your first statement above but cannot imagine it
happening under our "free market system."

American industry has been undercut by foreign competition and the
race to find the cheapest labor, no matter the locale.

Capitalism may work but free market is only a fantasy for India and
Bangladesh. It's a nightmare for the US.