[Camel Joe]

The time has come for America to move beyond LABOR intensive industries like textiles. Our labor resources are far too costly to allow us to compete without manipulation of the market by government. Not to mention the fact that the Unions are a large part of why labor has priced itself out of the market.

[KevinDavis]

Not to mention the fact that the Unions are a large part of why labor has priced itself out of the market

That is the number one reason why factories are closing and moving overeas.

[mac_truck]

The time has come for America to move beyond LABOR intensive industries like textiles. Our labor resources are far too costly to allow us to compete without manipulation of the market by government.

I think the author is making the point that politics is playing a role in some of the decisions this administration is making about free-trade. He links the failure of this administration to protect southern textile jobs as a decision predicated in part on the premise that the south is safely in the Republican camp.

The cynical observer would note that the steel industry (in 04 battleground state) Pennsylvainia enjoys protection that the textile industry (in Republican strong holds SC/NC/AL) does not.

[Mini-14]

The time has come for America to move beyond LABOR intensive industries like textiles. Our labor resources are far too costly to allow us to compete without manipulation of the market by government.

Good idea, let's move into the computer industry. Oops -- Americans in the computer industry just got wiped out by the H-1Bs and L-1s.

[A. Pole]

Not to mention the fact that the Unions are a large part of why labor has priced itself out of the market.

What is the pay per hour which would make American worker competitive with Vietnamese without the tarrifs? $2 per hour? And who will buy those products?

I am very curious - what are your answers?