Replies

I don't suppose there is any room for facts here.

How about these facts?

In 1975, we saw our last trade surplus.
Our trade deficit was $725 billion in 2005.
American acquires 19% of the world's exports.
in 2004, Japan and China, which still currently hold between $1 and $2 trillion US, started to sell their American dollars and are no longer buying our bonds.

The advantages that we had mid-20th century are being depleted.

Clearly we are coasting on the gains made during WWII and before. Any economic security we had gained with our manufacturing and technological competitiveness are being bargained away. We used to employ people here to make things that we or the rest of the world consumed. That was at our zenith. Now we may be feeling fine as we stroll into Walmart, but the good feelings won't last.

Debt, foreign-dependence, manufacturing impotence, and inability to provide secure jobs to technology and other skilled workers are all consequences of these changes. Yet there are many libertarians and other shills for big business (now largely foreign-owned) that continue to line up on FR and tout our decline.

Big, foreign-owned business, has a direct line to our political engines, and they're consuming the wealth and advantages earned with the blood of our veterans during the last 240 years and longer. Superficially things look fine to those who are wealthy and successful, but the rest of America knows better.

I would find it amusing that so many on FR continue to advocate "free" trade (at the cost of our seed corn) and "open immigration," except our once-proud country is being sold down the river. It's a travesty.

And meanwhile, we're replacing our strong and united North American culture with millions of Latin Americans, Africans, Asians, and Mid-easterners every year.

Of course those same libertarian FReepers are ready to line up and defend the obliteration of our American culture, as well. They seem to think that the new "mall culture" where everyone can stroll down a facade and buy in English or Spanish is a sure sign of immigration's successful assimilation.

At present rates of replacement, it is traditional America that will be assimilated into chaos, not the other way around. Either way, it's all for sale to the highest, and often foreign bidder.

So enjoy it while it lasts!