Manufacturing 2.0
Rock River Valley manufacturing experts discuss the many facets of manufacturing: technology, education, training, events, people and any other aspects of this important segment of our economy. They’ll use this blog to get the word out and solicit feedback on local and global manufacturing. They hope to better engage our employers, employees and our future work force and increase their understanding of manufacturing.

A Country Must Make Things

December 23rd, 2008 at 07:52pm Bob Trojan

 My friend, Scott Richert at The Rockford Institute, wrote an interesting article…here is an excerpt…”Ronald Reagan at least understood that, unless a country makes things, it has no economic independence. That’s why he was willing to act pragmatically, despite his own stated commitment to free-trade ideology”.

Here’s the rest of the story… http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/?cat=6


Entry Filed under: Management, Productivity, Education & Training, Economy

1 Comment Add your own

  • 1. railrider  |  December 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am

    President Reagan strongly supported free trade because he knew that opening markets around the world to our goods would create growth for our manufacturers. Indeed it has. Our U.S. manufacturing sector has been booming over the last six years, in large part due to the unprecedented growth in our exports. Our businesses have even started selling to China! Unfortunately, the housing market bubble, which had nothing to do with manufacturing or free trade has caused all of this economic turmoil, and even impacted our worldwide export markets. Throw on top of that the formerly $4.50 per gallon gas, and you have the perfect storm. The delcine overall in manufacturing jobs, is mostly related to more efficient operations and more hi-tech manufacturing equipment. This is happening worldwide. Even China is becoming more productive using less labor and more modern equipment. Most free traders, fight for fair trade as well. NAFTA, and bringing China into the World Trade Organization has been good for U.S. manufacturers. This has allowed our companies more access to those growing markets. Now, our companies have to continue to innovate, and make the highest quality products, with the most efficient operations to be the world leaders in manufacturing that we still are. We need to keep taxes low, and reduce unnecessary regulations that hamper our ability to compete. That is what Reagan did.

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