Manufacturing an Economy that Works for Working Americans

[irishbobcat]

Manufacturing an Economy that Works for Working Americans

October 10, 2008



For years, conservatives have kowtowed to the heads of big corporations, who want trade deals that pave the way for them to move manufacturing operations overseas—at tremendous cost to American workers and our economy.  John McCain wants to continue this trend, vowing to "remove barriers to free trade," even though a majority of Americans view foreign trade as a threat to our economy, according to a CNN poll.  Progressives can offer Americans the choice they want by securing America's place in the global economy through fair trade and a revitalization of America's critical manufacturing sector.* Manufacturing continues to play an essential role in the American economy.  Nearly 10 percent of America's workers are employed in the manufacturing sector; of those, nine percent are scientists and engineers.  The manufacturing sector is responsible for more than 12 percent of America's gross domestic product and pays for approximately 60 percent of the research and development work that has made America a technological leader. Sources * American manufacturing workers are strong, but conservatives have made America's trade policies weak.  American manufacturing workers are among the most productive in the world, with the world's second-highest rate of output per hour. * Conservative trade policies harm America's workers.  America's trade deficit has increased steadily during the Bush Administration.  Now America's deficit in manufactured goods alone costs us nearly $1 million every minute. Even when employers don't leave the country, just threatening to leave cuts a union organizing campaign's chances of success in half, leading to lower wages and fewer benefits. * Allowing our competitors to get away with low-road labor practices hurts workers in America.  For every dollar an American manufacturing worker is paid, a worker in Mexico is paid 12 cents and one in Hong Kong makes just 24 cents.  The U.S. has much smaller trade deficits with countries that have strong labor standards. The Progressive Solution To build an economy that works for working Americans, we must ensure that America continues to be a global leader in innovative manufacturing, and that our workforce is secure.  We can achieve this goal by investing in the next generation of renewable and efficient energy technologies to create millions of green-collar jobs and capture the global "green market."  We must also empower workers to organize and develop a public social compact that includes universal health care, a national pension system, and mandated family leave to replace the private compact that has been shredded by corporations and conservatives.  Finally, we must demand that mercantilist nations like China also lift up their workers and end their unfair trade practices, or pay the price.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

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