[Toddsterpatriot]

Wealth is created only by engaging in value-added activities. By the same token, Service sector activities do not create wealth, they merely transfer, redistribute and eventually dissipate wealth as consumption. Thus, as value-added activities move offshore and the U.S. labor force shifts to the Service Sector, wealth is dissipated, not created. And the U.S. standard of living declines as a result.

OK, you think the best economy would be closer to 100% manufacturing than 100% services. You also think that the trade deficit is bad.

So, what countries have the largest trade surplus? Are their economies better than ours? Are their citizens better off than ours?

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Excellent point. Willie was peddling this stuff a few weeks ago, and was absolutely schooled by some freeper who I forget, that knew his stuff. In any case, Germany's economy, for example, is based more on production than ours, but I sure wouldn't want it. Our trade deficit is an example of the relative strength of our economy compared to the rest of the world, in fact, only a few categories, clothing, autos, oil, and electronic commodities like TV's make up $400 billion of the deficit by themselves.

[sixmil]

So, what countries have the largest trade surplus? Are their economies better than ours? Are their citizens better off than ours?

You're thinking is one dimensional. There is such a thing as trade balance, where you have an equal amount of imports and exports. This would be the ideal place to be, not a net importer and not a net exporter.