Be all that as it may, the most important thing is to break down trade barriers with foreign nations. All too often, "free trade" means that foreign companies are free to export their stuff to USA, while we aren't free to export our stuff to them. Just to name two, there are far too many market restrictions on US goods in China and Japan, while we allow their goods to flood our markets.
“If you choose to disagree with this FACT, how else will you explain the U.S. unemployment rate hanging around 5% or lower?”
The unemployment rate is a political number subject to manipulation. Show me the number of people filing a 1040 each year and the amounts they earn. That is what matters, not some ficticious politically manipulated number.
how else will you explain the U.S. unemployment rate hanging around 5% or lower?)
Obviously, if the unemployment rate is 5%, Then that means 95% of the rest of us are working doing something. There is an argument to be made however that there has been a shift in our economy from good paying, manufacturing jobs to lower paying jobs in the service industry. Also, that there is underemployment as far as people working part time that want to work full time or work 2 part time jobs with no benefits.
I agree. In-sourcing has, at times, even exceeded outsourcing.
But, here’s the rub. There is a percentage of the population, for whatever reason, that will never be qualified for those types of jobs that are being in-sourced.
The jobs that are left are, for the most part, those that require more education than many are willing to obtain, or that don’t have the capacity to learn above certain levels; Or they are menial jobs, such as retail, fast food, unskilled labor, etc.
We do need to be creative, and find ways to keep jobs for all Americans, regardless of education levels, that will allow them to be productive, contributing citizens. By no means am I suggesting social programs that share in the costs, either.
Manufacturing is a good example. We need more manufacturing in this Country. I believe we have the ability to compete, heads up, with Countries like China and India. We simply need to be more creative and determined to do it.
If we don’t, the alternative is huge government social programs to support these folks and their children.