Put Midwestern industry first

The upper Midwest might be referred to as the newly invigorated Auto Belt and the worn-out Rust Belt. States such as Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and the western section of Pennsylvania have seen the industries of automobile manufacturing and steel producing come and go.

Where Michigan is the hub and home of car assembly, outlying states employ millions in supportive businesses to supply components for their production. The Rust Belt is long past its glory, having given up its energy, steelmaking methods and technical resources to foreign nations perhaps never to return.

But understanding the continual drain of America’s industrial core, out president took a gamble and said, “enough.” He was determined not to allow this trend to continue — he then bailed out the auto industry, much to the chagrin of his political opponents. Two companies have since paid him back and now are on a footing to regain their place among the world’s premier automobile manufacturers.

But how can voters in any of these states whose vital economies depend on this industry back someone for the presidency who said on television that these industries should be allowed to go bankrupt? Political ideology aside, how can any Midwesterner vote for someone who would eliminate their jobs, evict them from their homes and place them on food stamps?

James D. Cook

Streamwood