[dr_who_2]

Security is a necessity for some parts of the defense industry but in other places it's just a good way to drive out competition, drive up costs, and undermine the war effort. Treating every "refueling" system like a critical weapons program is a great way to promote further waste and bureaucracy in the defense industry. As for textiles and steel, industries with growth potential benefit from those commodities being plentiful and inexpensive (including the defense industry, among others). The American electronics industry is alive and well even if parts are manufactured in Thailand or some other poor country. Manufacturing has been on the upswing for a while up to now, but people who think they are entitled to lucrative jobs assembling circuit boards had best move to Thailand. No amount of additional protectionist policies or subsidies is going to bring the textile industry back to its former "glory", although that would be a great way to limit consumer choice and increase the cost of living.

[nyconse]

A country that manufactures nothing will not remain an economic power. We have a government that favors foreign competitors and does nothing when these companies violate trade agreements, a tax code that favors companies that move jobs overseas. There is no upside to free trade as it is currently practiced in America.