To Heyll In A Handbasket

I wrote before on the detrimental effects of a country (particularly the U.S.) losing its manufacturing base, especially the automotive manufacturers. There are a myriad of reasons, but one in particular comes to mind now. That is the domestic automobile industry contributes 4% directly to the GDP (gross domestic product) and 7% when counting all the other industries (like parts it buys) it directly effects. This is no small piece of change. It is necessary to look at this and wonder why government does not do anything about the domestic auto companies (like helping them in some way - namely a moderate tariff on all foreign autos built here or abroad (5%) or have a voluntary restraint on autos coming here from abroad and built here in the U.S.). And if the gov't went with the voluntary restraint, that wouldn't mean that the foreign carbuilders could load up their cars with options to make up for the slack in sales. That is nonsense, this was done in the 1980's.

This is something very important to consider!

Another point to consider: The service industry is now the larger percent (70%) of the GDP. Foreign nations have many concerns here in the U.S. eating into this service sector at a rapid rate. The way we are going, I see the U.S. being a wholly owned subsidiary of foreign businesses. And in no small part, we have our elected officials to thank.