For the last few decades, we have watched the left's advancement of globalism, multiculturalism, and a world with no borders, to the detriment of our nation-state. Nationalism was viewed with disdain by the media elite and their counterparts in academia as an outdated paradigm to be relegated to the dustbin of history.
In their effort to advance their mission, they created NAFTA, and under Bill Clinton, free trade with China was initiated in 2000. China was officially welcomed into the World Trade Organization in 2001 with promises to reform tariffs and policies, tariff reductions, and open markets. China also received Most Favored Nations Status. Its admittance significantly resulted in it receiving the lowest tariffs, fewer trade barriers, and the highest import quotas.
Many of America's once thriving manufacturing companies moved their operations overseas, where cheap labor and fewer stifling regulations promised hefty profits and less governmental interference. As a result, millions lost their jobs in cities throughout the United States. The Rust Belt, once the manufacturing heartland of America in states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, experienced urban decay and losses in population due to deindustrialization. Our leading auto manufacturers, steel suppliers, pharmaceuticals, and clothing manufacturers suddenly became a thing of the past. Cities like Detroit lost their base, as did Cleveland, a large supplier of steel. Currently, the Chinese produce 50% of the world's steel. American aluminum manufacturers during the '50s and '60s provided 80% of the world's supply, but by 2014, it had dwindled to 32%. We used to be a sizable supplier of rare earth minerals, but today, 80% of rare earth minerals critically needed in the production of cell phones, missile systems, hybrid cell batteries, and solar panels is mined in China. Additionally, 80% of our pharmaceuticals are now manufactured in Communist China. As China employed unfair trade deals that imposed huge tariffs upon our goods, it became clear that we were losing our economic edge and taking a backseat to a rising tyrannical world power.
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It is concerning to me that China makes are pharmaceuticals. We can't even trust them not to poison dog food.
ReplyDeleteAnd to not use paint with lead in our children's toys...
DeleteCorporate Greed, enough said
ReplyDeleteFolks, sorry , but this is where we are . Make it work.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say "corporate greed" remember that we , as consumers receive the low prices benefit.
10:51 Low price benefits are nothing comparable to the money made by greedy corporations each year for exporting our good paying manufacturing jobs, and now putting all Americans health at extreme risk. And you want to make it work ?? I know this has been going on for 30+ years, but that doesn't mean we have to stay dependent on china or any other foreign country for nearly every product we use.
DeleteBuy American / The Life and Job You Save Might Be Your Own
Low price benefit?
DeleteLol
That is precious.
It is called drinking the Kool Aid
What is your favorite flavor?
Corporate greed or survival ! With the insane regulations, obamacare , illegal aliens, free college, social programs , environmental hurdles, red tape, gov employee unions , unsustainable gov pensions, retirement & healthcare benefits resulting in draconian taxes imposed by a mostly liberal democrat government ( until Pres Trump). Capital is like water and electricity it seeks the path of least resistance.
ReplyDeleteInsane regulations by tree huggers?
DeleteEnd of Democrat's Socialism !!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe this little time out at home with family will make people appreciate what we have a little more. Shopping is not a pastime it's a necessity for survival. Maybe the dent in peoples pocket book after this will make them realize just what we do and don't need. There is a lot of useless crap that we just don't and a lot of useless events and entertainment we can live without. Maybe this is a mixed blessing and maybe we can go back to being sensible thrifty and Great Americans.
ReplyDelete3:41 Spot on...back in the day it was called 'keeping up with the Jones'...America has gotten way too soft, dumb, greedy and selfish; no common sense or critical thinking skills. YES; time to Make America Great Again...It was her people that made America Great...
ReplyDelete