Why We Need to Make Something

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Monday March 30, 2009 · 6:07 PM PDT

2009/03/30 · 18:07

America doesn't manufacture much anymore.

We all know and have lamented the outsourcing of our jobs... Over the years, in part, because of NAFTA, employers, in search of larger profit margins, have sent their manufacturing jobs overseas in ever greater numbers.

It started with Big Steel. Reagan outsourced that back in the 80s -- allowed it to happen, if you prefer (I don't). And all the while we've been told, it's the unions' fault... American workers make too much money. In fact, a few years ago, a story in the WaPo business section actually "lifted" a quote from some Wall St. type (I can't remember titles or many of the details -- only the gist) about how Americans are going to have to get used to a lower standard of living.

Join me after the jump:

And while that's reason enough to prop up the auto industry, as opposed, say, to Wall St. -- there's a far more basic reason to prop up Detroit: national security.

During World War II, FDR had Detroit switched to war work within months of Pearl Harbor. There were no cars made during the war... Instead, Detroit turned out tanks... and ship engines and materiel needed for the war effort.

The last time we had a worldwide economic shakeup like this one -- it ended with world war two. Now, I'm not saying history will repeat itself... but Should a DEFENSIVE war occur on a grand scale.. should we need to defend the US militarily --we need to have the material here to build the materiel. we NEED the auto industry for THAT reason.

I hope the president, who is said to be an eager student of history, eschews the economic gurus who forget that essential role Detroit played in the war... btw, taking orders from Washington all the way.

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