[Brass Lamp]

True but American factories were humming and we ran a trade surplus. Key is that we were a producer nation, not *just* a consumer nation. We manufactured what we used.

But then the Boomers unionized the factories, slow-walked the production, would strike for insane wages, negotiate for unsustainable retirement, and then proceed to purchase cheaper goods manufactured overseas. I think the latest generation to enter the labor force would LOVE to have stable production work and would support domestic manufacturing with patronage. "Patronizing" seems to be concept with a lot of currency, these days.

[ansel12]

“”But then the Boomers unionized the factories””

Private sector unions died under the boomers.