[central_va]

The dilemma we face is that we can either employ a lot of people in manufacturing, or we can have the highest standard of living in the world.

Not only is that statement wrong it is just crazy. We will have the highest standard of living with a strong industrial base making the economy hum along. Manufacturing creates wealth.

[Alberta's Child]

Why would you call my statement "wrong" and "crazy?" It doesn't contradict anything you posted in your response.

We will have the highest standard of living with a strong industrial base making the economy hum along. Manufacturing creates wealth.

I agree with that. What we will not have, however, is a strong industrial base with more than 10% of our work force employed in manufacturing. Those days are gone forever -- and for the same reasons we no longer have 95% of our workers employed in agriculture. Our "strong industrial base" will be more of what it already is: technologically advanced and heavy automated, with very low labor costs compared to the value of the products that are made.