You know, Race, I think maybe we don't disagree by very much. I agree that we're losing our ability to manufacture in a way that is competitive with the rest of the world. There are lots of reasons. Some of them rest on unions, some of them rest on regulation.
I don't happen to think, though, that we should place blame on the consumer. Consumers must make decisions based on cost-effectiveness and little else.
Cost-effectiveness must include the realization that their American purchase supports more domestic economic activity through the multiplier effect. That effect is not present when you make no domestic purchases and your (or your children's) taxes will ultimately increase to make up for the loss of taxable economic activity.
Also cost-effectiveness can't include convenience. A consumer's time is not so valuable that he must go to one giant store to buy everything made in China. If they do that (e.g. spur of the moment Walmart TV purchase) they end up with low quality items which negate any savings.