On the surface, things are well. most people are working, though construction, my occupation, is a little slow. I am not talking about Today with Nafta and Gatt. I'm talking about tomorrow. In construction, it is normal to be 1 of 4 or 5, maybe 6 or 7 other bids. Of late, one is 1 out of 16 or 17 bids, including out of state companies. This tells me we are not in the shape some say we are.
I'll make you a deal. I will be optimistic on what you say. But, daily I shop for tools, fasteners, building products etc.. Every day I see "Made somewhere else". Now, what will come first in your opinion? These thrid world country's populations making enough to buy our domestice products, or the thrid world country's technology advances to the point where they can make and meet their own populations needs?
SR
I agree you will see many of these tools "made somewhere else." And guess who designs and makes the software and the tool machines that are sold to the "somewhere else" that makes them?
I know a local small machine guy. His business was off for some time, but is picking up again.
But clarify for me your terminology ("1 of 4," "1 of 17.") What does that mean?
You raised another good point----why exactly WON'T the "third world's technology" advance to meet its "own population's needs?" You know the answer: because they might adopt SOME of our technology, but most of them refuse to embrace our Judeo-Christian ethic, our private property rights, and our sanctity of contracts that makes everything else possible.
It may not seem relevant to our discussion, but read Victor Hanson's "Carnage and Culture" about wars between the west and non-west. It is illuminating how in war, these countries can use our weapons, but still not be successful because they don't have our WAYS.