4 Responses to " Kitchen Table #2: Jobs "

1. Arthur F. Jones says:

   March 19, 2010 at 12:35 pm

   Dear Mrs. Dyer:

   This morning,(Friday, March 19, 2010), I raised the issue of creating “Weatherization Jobs” in South Carolina to Mr. Tim Kaine, Chairman, Democratic National Committee.

   We met with Mr. Kaine at the South Carolina Democratic Party HQ’s in Columbia, South Caroina. Thank you for advancing the cause for jobs creation in South Carolina.
2. Raymond Hawkinberry says:

   March 19, 2010 at 12:37 pm

   Good job Jane.
   Raymond
3. Charles Black says:

   March 19, 2010 at 2:56 pm

   Ms. Dyer:

   I appreciate your concern for the unemployed and the creation of jobs; but if we focus only on transportation and energy, this country will never regain the enconomic strength it once enjoyed or ever acheive the low rates of unemployment we once enjoyed. Furthermore, our industrial base has so eroded in the name of “globalization” that if we ever have another major war, we would be unable to produce the weapons or materials necessary to fight it. For example, our textile industry is practically nonexistant, so who would make the uniforms, socks, backpacks, sleeping bags, etc. for our troops? Our steel industry has been so decimated that we would have difficulty of producing enough steel to make guns much less ships, tanks, etc. Can we even produce enough aluminum, copper, titanium, etc. to build airplanes, missles and other weapons and devices to just defend our country much less take the offensive? We don’t even make most of the tools to build and maintain them. Yet these are the jobs we are told that are not coming back due to “globalization”. Our leaders in Washington have gone complacent and blind to our strategic needs much less the importance of these industries to our economy and the jobs they produce. Mind you I am not a war hawk; but if history teaches anything, it teaches that if other countries perceive you as weak or complacent, they will attempt to take advantage of that country. Certainly, this was true of England and France with regard to Adolf Hitler prior to WWII. We are already seeing signs that China is strengthening its military and broadening its ambitions as a world power. Yet so much of the goods we import come from China that we have acquiesed our own factories and jobs for cheap Chinese imports. Therefore, I believe we must start protecting our strategic industries, factories and jobs from foreign imports. I know “Protectionism” is a capitalist dirty word these days but frankly I see no alternative. The so-called “Free Trade Agreements” are directly responsible for much of the insult that has happened to American industry. They should all be scrapped and renegotiated to ensure that there is “equal and fair trade” between the USA and any other country. This should include withdrawing from the World Trade Organization as clearly we have not received fair and equitable treatment within this body. I believe the threat of withdrawing from these agreements would have most other countries clamoring to adjust their trade policies to a more favorable position for our industries. If not, they would certainly come to the negotiating table ready to make a deal as they do not want to lose the most lucrative market in the world no matter how many billions of people China may have. However, we will not continue to be such a lucrative market in the future if action is not taken now to change the trade imbalances!!
   My question to you is what will you do to retify this situation?
4. Ellis Hughes says:

   March 22, 2010 at 3:06 pm

   Mr. Black,
   Thank you for taking the time to express your concerns. The points you raise are vital ones to the future our nation. A strong defense must be a priority and making sure we have the material and trained manpower are key points. While it may not seem that we have the industrial capacity to supply our troops, we do through military contracts and Defense Department supply and logistics experts. I don’t believe the military-industrial relationship is in jeopardy.

   The larger issue is getting people back to work in this country. I stay up nights fretting over this and spend a lot of time talking to people about what to do.

   There is some good news. There have been handful of companies coming into our state. Not as many as I would like, but it’s a start. The jobs are high-tech jobs that will require our community colleges and research universities to provide the training and R&D. You and I both know government alone cannot fix our economic problems. What government can do is invest in education, roads and highways, airports and ports, and make sure the United States stands it ground in being treated fairly in world trade.

   Do I have all the answers? Of course not. Having come from a big family and the military, I have learned long ago that “we” is stronger than “me.” We must work together, listen to the wide range of ideas and concerns and do what’s right for America, not give in to special interests. If you have ideas that can help us move ahead, I would appreciate you sharing them with me. I am seeking to represent you in Congress, which means knowing what constituents want and need. It’s not about what I want.

   Again, thanks for taking the time to write me. I hope my response gives you reason to support me.

   Jane Dyer