On Nov 18, 5:32*pm, DaveS wrote:
On Nov 18, 1:52*pm, wrote:

I find it ironic that the waning days of a rabidly irresponsible
"capitalism at any cost" political ethos are seeing the largest
socialist actions (by far) on the part of the federal government since
the New Deal.

I don't like any of the bailouts that are happening, but I'd far
prefer seeing the 700B bail out an industry that actually builds
something, rather than one that siphons off what it can...

Jon.

Thank you. And that is the key.
In Utah, in economics we were taught that production of goods and
services for export to other parts of the country, and to other
countries, was the way that localities and nations paid for what they
imported and consumed, on a sustainable basis. The basic input/output
models used in econ development and labor market planning were all
based on keeping these factors in balance and well fed with well
trained workers, efficient tools and plant, and capital.

I never did "get" how a "post industrial," "free trade" economic
environment would be sustainable. Germany and Japan never bought into
it. These countries continued to prosper with an emphasis on
MANUFACTURING. And that is what built this country and where we need
to get back to.

Ponzi scheme economics has been a failure. Politicians and business
leaders who tie their wagons to paper pyramids are the dying "business
model." I think the future is brite for Americans who have the skills
and energy to focus on producing real stuff that real people need,
from the resources the US has in abundance.

Dave

Exactly. We simply cannot afford to lose any more heavy industry in
this country. The illusion of a "service industry" supporting the
country is just that...an illusion. It is also important regarding
national security. If we suddenly had a pressing need for large
numbers of tanks, would you want them made in China?

Actually, though, I think the "Big 3" will become the "Big 2".
Chrysler will likely go the way of Studebaker er al. GM may manage
something of a merger, and keep the Jeep line going, and possibly the
Charger, which is rapidly replacing the Ford Crown Vic as a fleet car,
but the rest of Chrysler is doomed.