[WilliamofCarmichael]

RE: "What are your realistic solutions to addressing the issue of shifts to foreign manufacturing?"

First let me wish you good luck with your business venture!

And thank you for trying to keep things here.

Here focus widens a bit. I personally have no problem with shifts to foreign manufacturing if our guys sell over there. They (their guys) could come here, manufacture, and sell here.

I have no problem with imports from a country that grew its economy serving its citizens and just had a better product. Our guys could even invest in / buy that company. Their guys could come here ditto.

Now the laser beam, for me.

I am old enough that Mao and his "agraian reformers" revolution plus every "great leap" onto the backs of tens of millions of Chinese citizens killing them were all contemporaraneous events for me.

Elsewhere on this thread there are quotes from the highest ranking Chi-coms describing just how they will "clean up" America and make room for their overflowing population.

I remember the entire history of the Cold War. Many clamored to grow the Soviet Union economy with "trade" and thus win them over. Show them that we are no "threat" lest we play into the hands of the Communist hardliners.

Better minds prevailed and we did not "trade" -- what the hell did they have? Except raw materials. "Trade" meant sending techonology and wealth to them.

Well, I don't know how to stop it [Red China "trade"] short of declaring a national security matter -- or as you suggested it "can be done by US consumers choosing to purchase goods and patronize businesses that are US based and friendly."

Red China is my major concern.

Also, I'd much prefer that India had built its economy serving its citizens rather then offering cheap labor to us to help build their economy.

[Andrewksu]

Well, I completely agree on the threat of China.
Capitalism is gaining ground in China, higher education is more common, many have expendable income, and with that they have more political interest/insight and a whiff of freedom. This will eventually cause quite a bit of friction between a populace wanting the benefits of democracy and capitalism, and the Communists who want Dictatorial control. IMO, This situation can come out in one of two ways;

1. They use the fattened coffers to continue to build their military and catch up with us. Their people grow increasingly restless, turmoil ensues and the Communists respond by shutting the people down. Yada yada, China looks to vent it's rage and WWIII is born.

2. The people grow restless, turmoil ensues, and after a decent struggle, the communists are thrown out. Capitalism continues and maybe even democracy takes root. Democratic states do not war. States that are fat and happy do not war.

These are highly boiled down to fit with my ADD, but you get the picture.