The statement was hyperbole, but it doesn't feel like we make anything by comparison with the industrial pulse that I "enjoyed" in my career. Probably a good thing in many ways, including environmental impact; but there are several serious problems with our current industrial base: 1) the U.S. physical infrastructure is decrepit with no motivation to refurbish as a function of the production and the sales needs of a strong industrial base. 2) The vast quantity of imports (things that we do not make) means that the transportation costs - read fuel requirements - are enormous. 3) Productive activities often require and fund R&D - read innovation and discovery. 4) Real unemployment (not just the people receiving unemployment insurance) and poverty are substantially higher now due to decrease in domestic industries.
Of course, you are correct that we still make things in the U.S. paul spencer
you are the media you consume.
agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0% (2003)
