[rdret1]

[QUOTE=Broadsword2004;356990]

I think they are still the envy of the world, but farming has grown far more efficient. If 40% of Americans were still employed in farming, we would have a much lower standard of living because we would lack the ability to grow enough food unless having a massive portion of the population farming. This would mean no one to do all the other jobs plus it would mean much less efficiency at agriculture.

I agree to a point. Though farms have become more efficient, the actual number of farms and of farming acreage, have declined significantly. Where I disagree is your statement about no one to do the other jobs. What other jobs? There are plenty of jobs available on farms, there are not many people who want to do them. How many people do you know that will work for minimum wage chopping cotton, picking lettuce or fruit, etc.? The jobs are there, the willing workforce is not.

I believe that's just because cheaper steel can be had from other countries, but this helps American manufacturing. Steel tariffs that protect American steel, do so at the expense of other jobs in the economy.

How has union interference effected the price of American steel? Which steel is of higher quality? China keeps the price of their steel low through massive government subsidies and no interference of anti-pollution laws, unlike our own. http://66.39.14.41/new/20070601.pdf

I think NAFTA was a very good thing and hasn't led to America's decline at all. Remember, America still manufactures more than any other nation in the world. China is right on our heals and may eventually surpass us, but American manufacturing is more productive today than ever and has continued growing larger over the years, it's just it's like farming, manufacturing employment has declined, and as a percentage of the economy, manufacturing makes up a smaller percent, but that is due to the growth of the knowledge and services sector of the economy.

NAFTA caused the loss of over 800,000 American jobs, approximately 80% of which were from the manufacturing industries. http://useconomy.about.com/od/tradep...A_Problems.htm

Liberalization of trade allows all individuals and businesses to engage in contracts with one another, which creates wealth and jobs. America is fifty states, all of which do free trade with one another. I mean we don't worry about New York businesses "shipping jobs off to Texas" for example. This forms the national economy. The businesses and individuals in these states also engage in trade with other businesses and individuals throughout the world.

States trading amongst themselves still maintains our domestic economy. The money originates and stays within our borders. "Shipping jobs off to Texas" keeps the jobs in the United States. It is much easier for someone to follow a job to Texas than to Mexico or India. It is apples and oranges.

One of the hallmarks of the European Union is to form a liberal area of trade within Europe, so the EU nations can trade with one another easier.

We see where the EU is today. The stronger member nations are taxing their own citizens to prop up weaker member nations like Greece.

Also technologies crucial to the national security should not be sold to other nations, like the advanced computer technologies sold to the Chinese under Clinton.

Agreed 100%