Protectionism is the lazy way out. It may provide a short term solution to the problem.
We as a nation need to realize that the myriad, feel-good government bureaucracies (EPA, OSHA, EEOC, etc) are a major cause of the jobs losses.
Another major cause is our corporate tax structure.
Deficit spending has made the dollar worth $0.14 compared to 50 years ago.
Finally, unions need to recognize that they must compete, sooner or late, with foreign labor.
Higher tariffs mean that anyone purchasing anything imported is subsidizing union labor, government regulations and high taxes.
Try living for a while in a country with high import duties or trade restrictions. It is a real aggravation!
The USA used to be able to compete with the rest of the world. We can again, if we choose to do so.
If we got rid of all of those programs corporate America would go it a panic as all of the excuses for off shoring would be gone! Horrors! and the naked greed driving this whole anti American escapade revealed for the traitorous scam that it really is.
Higher tariffs mean that anyone purchasing anything imported is subsidizing union labor, government regulations and high taxes.
You mean compete with the labor force in those countries where there is no middle class...
Without the unions, there would never have been a sizable middle class in America...I know I'll get a lot of flak over that but heh...
Are you willing to cut your wages to the same degree you want the unions to cut theirs???