Our nation needs to 'make things'

Cokie and Steve Roberts misnamed their column when naming it "The Facts About Trade." It should have read "Our Misguided Opinions About Trade."

They are flat out wrong when they say we cannot bring manufacturing back to this country. We can, and we will. Not all manufactruring mind you, but certainly the high tech and high value variety. The Roberts' bought into the fallacy of a service economy. They speak of trade in "ideas." That translates to: Chinese steal our ideas.

Look, too, at our students coming out of high school. Most need remedial classes just to adjust to community college, per an article in this paper. Is that where our "idea" economy is grounded? These folks are enjoying cheap products from China and want to hang onto their bargains. What has the loss of manufacturing left us?

Once solid middle class skilled workers are now looking at Starbucks and Wal-Mart jobs. There are only three ways to create wealth in a nation. Mine it, grow it or make it. Go back to your grammar school geography book where it speaks of what comes out of each country. You'll never see consulting, accounting, and lawyering. We need to make things!

Jerry Lang

Algonquin