[oceanview]

that is true - this will translate into only a relatively small number of american jobs. but in general, using manufacturing employment as a measure of the economy isn't good, even China is losing manufacturing jbos. technology and automation simply requires far fewer people to turn out goods - we may see fully automated factories soon.

what is happening to white collar tech jobs through offshoring is still, in my opinion, the far bigger threat to our economy and wage base.

if Greenspan is going to raise rates, I hope he does 0.5 in June rather then .25 in June and again in August. The further away we keep "mr bubble" from meddling in the November election, the better.

[templar]

but in general, using manufacturing employment as a measure of the economy isn't good, ...

That's why I included the BOT deficit. If we weren't running a serious and increasing deficit, particularly with manufactured goods, I wouldn't worry much about things like manufacturing jobs. The outsourcing of High-tech jobs (white collar production), while retaining an American front label, is a means of disguising a BOT deficit in their respective areas; something hard to do with manufactured goods. Deficits = debt, and debts have to be repaid someday. Our current 'good' economy (for over a decade now) is really just a debt financed, and temporary, utopia. We need to be preparing for it's end, both Nationally and personally.