[dennisw]

I live along the I94 corridor in Michigan. We used to be an industrial powerhouse. Here in Jackson alone we used to have Yard man, Goodyear, Die cast and Clark Equipment and a few other big players. For every one of those big players there were a half dozen smaller support shops. Back when NAFTA was passed our boss warned us that our small print shop wouldn’t be able to compete against mexico and within a year the doors were closed.

Today we have an empty run down industrial area with retail, resturants and welfare. Our unemploment rate topped 11% this week.

I’m sure some genius will be along soon to inform me that it’s all because of Jenny Granholm and unions. While not helpful they’re far from the only reason. The fact is that for every union job “conservatives” manage to eliminate, we lose a dozen or more non union jobs.

Someone needs to explain to me, why both union and non union jobs managed to thrive here in Michigan till the plummet following the passage of NAFTA.

The cold war forced us to be a serious country. It kept us honest. It kept us nationalistic

NAFTA could only be passed after the Soviet Union collapsed
Once we didn't have to devote so much resources to defense (the peace dividend) the powers that be found out that they could make more money investing in consumer companies like Wal Mart instead of producer companies like GM and Ford

So ship production down to Mexico and after that China  ..... That's great for the wealthy investors or any investor who wants in on the racket such as pension funds and the Harvard endowment. Only problem is it is unsustainable and our current economic crash proves it. The much vaunted "consumer economy" was always a lie and this is its endgame

[cripplecreek]

You’re gonna love this little stunt. After taking hundreds of billions of dollars, Citigroup and pals use it to stockpile cheap oil to sell back to us when the prices go up. Bailout supporters will claim it was a loan that will be paid back. (last I recalled a loan required that the loaner give permission). In reality it’s like being mugged and the mugger buying goods to sell them back to his victim at a higher price.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aZSSMtC6ynNY

[Jim Noble]

The much vaunted "consumer economy" was always a lie and this is its endgame

Right on, brother!

Just preachin' and teachin', that's what we need now.

God, gold, guns, and guts will see us through. We may need temporary use of a few lampposts, though.