[hellbender]

I think the story illustrates that this is not another cyclic recession. What killed Newton was the permanent loss of Maytag jobs to Mexico. That's what's happened all over this country. The geniuses who sold us the "free trade" deals which offshored so much of our manufacturing have made complete recovery impossible. We are in a long-term downward spiral.

[FReepaholic]

...What killed Newton was the permanent loss of Maytag jobs to Mexico...

Ross Perot was right.

[ConservativeMind]

It’s not “free trade” that is the issue in any form.

It is the huge costs government and unions have added to employing Americans.

Get freaking real.

[idkfa]

But wait! I was told wind turbine manufacturing and the green economy would save Newton.

Union built crap killed Maytag. My dad worked for Maytag. I’ve been in that plant many times and even helped tear part of it down when it closed.

[idkfa]

But wait! I was told wind turbine manufacturing and the green economy would save Newton.

Union built crap killed Maytag. My dad worked for Maytag. I’ve been in that plant many times and even helped tear part of it down when it closed.

[Bhoy]

There’s also the story of treadle sewing machines. I have heard (can’t find evidence) that after WWII we GAVE the Japenese the patents for treadle sewing machines. They are currently produced in China. They are junk (several reports; often purchased by Amish) meanwhile the Singer treadle sewing machines made in early 40’s are what anthropologists might call a “climax design.” Efficient manufacturing, easily repaired, durable.

One would think that with fears about energy one would hear more of the treadle sewing machine.

[SteveH]

The geniuses who sold us the "free trade" deals which offshored so much of our manufacturing have made complete recovery impossible.

Those geniuses include Bill Clinton among them.

[FroggyTheGremlim]

Jobs are not going oversees because of “free trade” treaties.

Jobs are going oversees because of high taxes, intrusive government regulations, environmental wack-ism and unions.

[agere_contra]

No. The geniuses who hamstring wealth-creation in America with over-regulation, massive legal vulnerability and crushing taxation - those are the ones who have put industry into a death spiral.

Free trade (on the other hand) is the only thing keeping Americans’ heads above water.

Socialists like you want to stop people trading with whomsoever they wish, and force us all to buy garbarge from featherbedded domestic manufacturers. No thanks!