But what about the loss of manufacturing jobs? True, the U.S. workforce employed in manufacturing
shrank by 3 million in the years 2000-2006. But as shown above, corporations were making capital
investments in the United States; those investments, rather than workers, were in technology and
automation. Those jobs weren’t being shipped overseas, they were being replaced with more efficient
technology, creating other high-tech jobs elsewhere in the labor market. Meanwhile, “an increase
in 172,000 jobs at U.S.-owned affiliates in China was partially offset by an actual decline of almost
100,000 jobs at affiliates in Mexico.”
One by one, the justifications for increased government intrusion in the marketplace fall by the
wayside when examined more closely, when facts are employed rather than innuendo. A free market
and free trade, unencumbered by government interference, management or directives is still the best
way to promote prosperity.