The author, like the typical socialist, knows all about what he thinks Americans need, but he cares little about what they actually want. He says we need more factories. But what if American consumers already have all the refrigerators, huge houses, etc., that they want, and are looking for services, i.e., health care, vacations, movies, etc.? Are we going to build the factories anyway?
I think it’s human nature to sort of wish “If they made me dictator today, I could solve all the problems …”
I understand why the author writes this article. But even if the ideas are good ideas, how would it come to pass? You’d probably have to pass a million laws, engage in lots of social engineering, and basically force people to leave the cities and build factories out in the heartland. As a Conservative, I wouldn’t want to force that issue.
However, I understand the desire.
Culturally, it would be nice if we encouraged a back-to-the-land movement. Lots of people can work from home these days. Maybe people should desire a plot of land — a 1 acre garden that they can tend while they work from home. I don’t need lots of factories in my town. I don’t need so much “stuff”. Maybe people should desire more elbow room.
And if a lot of small towns (25-50,000) that have seen better days could be revived with fresh new factories, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.
And if urban centers were perceived as crime-and-welfare centers rather than “pricey real estate for rich people” it wouldn’t be so bad.
But I have no magic wand. I don’t want to pass a million laws. I don’t know how society transitions away from what we have right now.
Do you find there's a shortage of "refrigerators, huge houses, etc.,?" Insufficient supply?