Our nation's security

Very interesting discussion on Wisconsin Public Radio this morning... http://www.wpr.org/

The central theme was how manufacturing continues to put the squeeze on labor, with focus on the auto industry. Wisconsin has two communities - Janesville and Racine - that have been badly hurt by Big Auto's poor leadership.

Wisconsin is not without other examples as well, including Mercury Marine, which forced major concessions from union members, then paid bonuses to management, even though the company was losing money. Now Harley Davidson is trying to do the same. Merc has already sent jobs to China where workers make about 3% of what American workers make.

In passing, the guest commented that having our economy based on something as nebulous as banking was a threat to our security. This wasn't pursued in the discussion, but really struck a chord with me. It seems way too much of our economy is tied up in financial services and pop culture.

The latter has been very successful in exporting their movies, CD, etc., although copyright infringements have hurt them in the past, and the success of Bollywood, Anime and other cultural competitors show just how fragile our pop star demagogues are in the world.

Banking, on the other hand, should be a long-term asset to the American economy, as it has been in the past. However, international investment in US financial instruments will ebb and flow largely on one issue: Trust.

Sooo.... two conclusions:

1. We need appropriate regulation of the financial services industry, to ensure that US markets remain an attractive place for foreign investment and that US investors are protected against the kinds of behavours that have put our markets at such risk.

2. We need to invest in manufacuring, producing products people NEED to ensure our national security and provide stable employment for skilled workers. Getting the cost of health care off the backs of these manufacturers and workers would make them more competitive with companies located (and locating) in countries with single-payer national health plans.

Welcome your thoughts. Sorry for the rambling.

Scuba

But before anything can be done, Mr. Obama needs to kick the Vulture-Lobbyists and Gangster Banksters off Capital Hill... and start working for the Americian people...

Kick the money changers out of the temple.

If only Mr. Bernake would leave...carrying Timmy Geithner under one arm and Larry Summers under the other....

People like Bernanke and Geithner are part of the pledge that he made when the Big movers and Shakers starting making deals with him. They will not leave power unless Obama leaves power. And right now the way it is setup, if he leaves power, we watch this Republican Administration(D) be replaced with the icky Neo nazi Republicans(R). So it is this or nothing, I guess.

The deals began being made right around the time that the Powers that Be forced McCain to bland out with his message and have Palin as he running mate.