We are realizing the benefits of outsourcing in the short term in corporate profits and reduced cost of goods. In the long term it will spell disaster because America is losing its technical and industrial self-sufficiency.
When emergent China starts testing us militarily, first in proxy contests then later more directly, circa 2030, the American ability to spin up its industry and war technology will not exist. All the neat net-centric warfare and smart weaponry will be dependent on Chinese chips and display screens, Indian software, Korean heavy fabricators, and third-world manufacturing techniques subject to Chinese hegemony.
In World War II we were able to convert auto plants to producing tanks and planes, electronic companies to the tools of warfare like radar and radio, universities to nuclear physics and weaponry, shipyards to carriers and submarines, and good old American knowhow and resourcefulness to innovation and production. We have since sent all those assets overseas so we can have $900 plasma TVs at WalMart.
If we had a similar confrontation today, our skill banks are filled with people who can’t do anything but sell stuff to each other, manipulate stock prices, and make lawsuits.
A future Yamamoto will not have to worry about awakening a sleeping tiger - there will only be self-absorbed little kittens to fight back.
I just lost my fulltime job of 13 years to a Mexican temp that will make $2.50 an hour. Poor guy. No chance for him.
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