United States Leaving First World

Townhall.com ^ | 1-22-03 | Paul Craig Roberts

[Norm640]

More people need to pay attention to how America is moving from a manufacturing, industrial economy to a service economy. We are losing our base. The only way we can stop this is to 1)be more protectionist, which is required sometimes, or 2)use WTO/NAFTA/GATT weight to implement reforms to cheap labor in the rest of the world--like not making it so cheap. Otherwise, this truly does look like a predicament that only benefits the rich.

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[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Wow, wish I could hang around and watch the coming firefight.
This should be good.

I agree with the major premise of the article, by the way.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

We don't have anywhere near twenty years.

[Chi-townChief]

"More people need to pay attention to how America is moving from a manufacturing, industrial economy to a service economy. We are losing our base."

After all, it's only been happening for the past 45 years.

[junta]

I'm one of those "resources", and yes I'm mad as hell that some soft dengenerate white liberal elite abuses their power and discriminates against Americans such as me, but what the hell am I supposed to do, vote GOP?

[bankwalker]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc. I would appreciate it.

[Proud_texan]

Two things I don't understand.

Was there this much concern as America moved from an agricultural based economy to a manufacturing based economy? Do were eventually "run out" of economies or are we innovative enough to push new frontiers?

Would Americans be willing to pay $500 (or whatever the price might be, it would certainly be a lot more expensive than it is now) for a VCR in exchange for keeping a manufacturing based economy?

It occurs to me that Japan, in addition to other things, has tried both models and it doesn't seem to be working out very well for them.

[goodnesswins]

DAY of SUPPORT....FLY your flags (US, a British one, Hungarian, Australian and Japanese one, too if you have them)....and put up your BUSH/CHENEY signs, (and the BIG W's on your SUV's) for the STATE of the UNION next Tuesday, Jan 28th, if you support the President, our MILITARY and the United States of America. PSST....pass it on.

[ExpandNATO]

Official definition?!?!

Consider the usual definition of second world, the Communist bloc (Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact nations). Now according to the official definition, Cuba, Red China and North Korea should also be considered Second world, but in usual usage are considered Third World.

The usual definition is done by example. First World is the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The Second World was typically listed as Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact (Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, etc.). The Third World was everybody else, "developing" nations.

[Wolfie]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc.

First is generally kissing. Second is heavy petting, maybe with some...oh heck, you said world. Never mind.

[bankwalker]

thanx

[RayBob]

"Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the official definition of first, second, third world,etc. I would appreciate it."

Though I think Wolfie's answer is really funny, I believe that it is not "First" "Second" and "Third" world, but applies to the developed countries in the West, the developed countries in the East and the undeveloped countries being the Third World.

[Viva Le Dissention]

If Wal-Mart has its way, nothing will be produced in America. The retailing giant wraps itself in the American flag, but it gives its suppliers price targets. Suppliers find that in order to meet the targets, they must move production offshore.

Huh, imagine that. A company trying to increase its profits. That IS startling.

[Marobe]

occupations that will be most difficult for the government to destroy. Only two come readily to mind: school teachers and lawyers. ROTFLMAO ! The author is correct about the anti-American attitudes of most corporations in the US, especially the financial wealth management types and the insurance industry. He needs to reassess the teachers in America especially those funding the NEa one of the biggest communist orgs to be embraced by the Federal Government. Look at the Constitution, there is no where in the original document that allows for the feds to take on duties assigned to the states, ie, education programs. AS for lawyers,'sooner shall a camel pass thru the eye of a needle, than a lawyer enter thru the gates of Heaven'.

[x]

We went from an agricultural to an industrial economy because machinery made it possible to raise more crops with less labor. The excess or redundant agricultural workers could move into manufacturing. The concern now is that the necessary industrial base is moving overseas and we won't be able to rely on it.

We didn't experience the same anxiety moving from an agricultural to an industrial country. A country like Britain did though. They had to rely on imports to feed themselves -- a problem we didn't have. An unexpected event, like the submarine warfare of the 20th century could have reduced them to starvation. But our own transition to industrialism was frought with other anxieties: the subjugation of independent, self-reliant and self-sufficient small farmers to employers and time clocks, the growing power of money, industrial wealth, and large corporations, and the fear that government or revolutionaries might confiscate private and corporate property in the name of the workers and curtail freedoms.

What troubles many people now is that in spite of all the new technologies, automation, and managerial techniques, production always seems to come down to the brute fact of cheap labor. If you benefit from this, it's a sign that freedom always wins out over barriers, borders, regulations and restrictions. If you are threatened by it, it's a sign that your life is governed by powerful forces that you can't keep under control or at bay.

[sauropod]

Eff Karl Rove.

Really! 'Pod

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[yoe]

”Karl Rove, the Power Behind the Bush, told Tancredo never again to darken the steps of the White House.

I’ve no doubt what so ever that remark about Rove is true and it is frightening. One thing mentioned several times is about the cheap labor...do you call $15 –20.00 an hour cheap? That is the going price for border labor these days, legal and illegal.

I will say it again – We The People are the First line of defense and it is being left up to a few living close to both north and southern borders do clean it up while the politicians just sit and do nothing. A moratorium on immigration should be applied immediately and NAFTA put on hold as well until someone (s) with some common sense and leadership can effectively hold the line and straighten this mess out and those someone’s are going to come from the private sector, i.e., civilians not anyone connected to the government. One exception might be Tom Tancredo and his group. Another is Chris Simcox and his Civil Homeland Defense. One more time here is what is being done:

Protect United States Borders, North and South

We will deter and prohibit illegal entry into the United States

We will force the U.S. Government to Protect U.S. Borders

We will be relieved of duty and go home....he means when the government does its job.

.

It has been nearly a year and a half since the Twin Towers were hit and still this unwieldy and bloated government can’t get their act together to make the changes that should have been in affect within weeks after that terrorist act. They are running in circles hanging onto their turf and the citizens of this country are being hung out to dry. Get on the phones to your elected, forget e-mail – they do...write or call them and put their feet in the fire. If you think Carl Rove has too much power, let the President and Vice President know, better yet let Laura know!