Forget Wall Street -- it's about the Main Street economy!

So it finally hits home...or at least someone finally noticed.

One should not be surprised that the adjustment is beginning at street level, it always does. This time it's not just another blip in the world economic scheme. This time it's for real. America has reached the point that between yearly inflation and the continued assault of yearly incremental tax increases, we at the bottom of the food chain are running out of cold hard cash. The manufacturers of the world will soon know it.
You could see it coming from four decades ago (if you were watching). It began with the destruction of the steel industry in the 1970's. It continued with the insidious pillaging of our auto manufacturing empire in the 80's. Through the 90's manufacturing strongholds continued to be softened and picked apart one by one. The demon NAFTA etched the whole losing proposition in stone. Gradually as corporate profit taking has moved the manufacturing platform off American soil we, the American backbone, had to adjust, but we've adjusted well.
We've now reached the point of critical mass. That being, we have come to that point in the road where we almost no longer get to choose which way we go. We do not have the delight of being the leader of the pack. We are now defensivly slugging it out in a full blown world economy. We are very deeply wounded... but there's good news.
The one thing we have not lost is the one thing which has always pulled us through. Our tough, hard earned pioneer spirit coupled with our will and desire to excel. Never have we conceded defeat, even as we've watched our power slip away. The rank and file still have the guts to make this country work and work profitably. The world is soon to see that America is still in the lead when it comes to resolve.
What you are about to witness, (and it's going to be a slow painful process), is the gradual return of manufacturing leadership back to our own shores.

For forty years world manufacturing has assualted the American wage base. With jobs being out sourced and a constant influx of individuals adapted to living comfortably on substandard wages, the playing field is finally becoming pretty much leveled...and we're still here. Fuel costs and the expenses of raw materials have now reached levels where we can again compete head to head in the world manufacturing arena. We have the materials, the infrastructure, the know how and the will to take back what we've been stripped of. We are strong, mobile, adaptable, and finely tuned to the "just in time" manufacturing principle. Turnover times are minimal. Throughput is still on the rise.

What is required now will be painful to some but so has been the decline we've had to witness for so long. Now, the BIG GUYS are going to have to step back a bit and let us do what we do. Tax growth must become stagnant, or nearly so. The insurance industry needs to get back to investing in business and stop raping the work force. Manufacturing startups must be encouraged from all levels. Domestic investment is paramount. Labor and management must continue the blending of thought they have accomplished. We must again tighten our belts, tighten our borders and continue to streamline our manufacturing practices. The days of aquiring profits by sheer productivity volume are gone. The federal government has been trying to show us that for the last three years... without jamming it down our throats. It's time to remind the world what craftsmanship and innovation are all about. We built this country on them. They're still here. Now that manufacturing costs are equalizing world wide it's time we use them again. We've had enough of this playing with money to make money. It's time to get back to building stuff!
Do you believe that America can be a manufacturing super power again? Do you believe we can regain our status and wealth? Just invest a little time and money in US!

We down here in the trenches will show the world again how it's done.

Gary E. Sattler

Nice speech, Gary, Yes, I think manufactoring will come back, and I agree it will be a long, slow, painful process. But, I don't see this "blending" of thought between Labor & management that you are talking about, and I don't think the "BIG GUY'S " are going to take a step back willingly. They're going have to be pushed back. I would also say that energy & material prices are not a relevant factor. Cheap labor was and still is the main reason these jobs left the U.S. But now that the labor markets of China & India have been tapped, manufactoring wages will finally rise, both there and eventually here. I also think we got alot of other problems that have to work themselves out, too many to mention now. I spend the day in the trenches, and I'm tired.

Sheldon,

Enjoyed the post! Economists love to tell us that the "core" Consumer Price Index (that omits food and fuel) is not rising much so we should all be happy. My problem is that I get very grouchy when I go without food and fuel!!

As for American manufacturing, I don't think we will see a return of old-style production but there is a chance that we can grow in new, innovative product areas. In the meantime, if your "pen hand" (or "mouse hand") grows weary from writing to politicians about the topic, try actually buying something made in the USA.

http://www.stillmadeinusa.com