The Case for Protectionism: "Buy American" Program Will Fix Jobless Recovery

Protectionism has been traditional American policy up until the Neo-Con 'revolution' of the last 25 yrs. Protectionism does what its name implies, protects the American economy and worker from the vagaries and chaos of foreign interests. Which usually are not aligned with the interests of America. Hindery's points about subsidies, currencies, and poor environmental practices are well taken. However, wage differentials with developing countries are hurting Americans. Perhaps we need tariffs directed at nations who engage in these practices?

Please Bring Bob Prechter Back! It would be great to get his take on Gold.

Holy Moly Only 512,000 jobs lost // Better than expected // What a joke The real unemployment rate is probably sitting at 15% // what about all the ones that their time to collect a check expired ????? // The Govt. and DUMBO-MA are hiding the Reality

Another great interview. Hindrey makes some very strong points.

Makes sense to me.

America the Great... is comparing itself to Chinese communist protectionism... is this what is come down to... the conclusion: China is on the way up... and America is on the way down... why? based on this "expert" America is running scared of China....

This is how WalMart started. Their earliest campaign constantly reminded Americans to buy American. What a bunch of fools! Vote for me as the write in candidate in the next presidential election. I'm running on a nickle and a dime. I'm the independent candidate everyone can use! Thank you for your support! The rebellion has begun!

If we can produce our own energy and extend health care to more people, we can generate jobs that cannot be outsourced. The sad news is there are never going to be enough jobs in America for everyone unless we are experiencing a booming economy. Recessions will be brutal from now on with our corporation efficiency models in place. Fewer workers, high productivity will be the norm.

There's a simple way to do it, companies that build things in the USA get a tax break and companies that import things built outside the USA don't get the tax break. Now if a car company imports the engine, no tax break on the engine. As it stands now, we keep exporting our jobs to other countries. As job go outside out country, we move in the direction of third world status. A country that does not manufacture is a country that will become third world. Sadly, Obama is more focused on Health Care, rather than jobs.

Not gonna happen. Too much money left on table.

Buy American program is a must! Everybody wants to go to WalMart and get the cheap Chinese products to maximize their gain. But what is "good for one" is actually "bad for all". Please read about "Good for one, bad for all" social problems here: http://www.tradingstocks.net/html/banks_create_money.html

Just as safety is first on any job, domestic-first should get equal importance. However, an infrastruture program might turn to a Halliburton debacle. Can work if policy is thought out and written and stop measures are built to combat any work around policy attempts by connected Washington profiteers. The key is written policy. Lobbyists would not allow that to happen. So back door influence continues. Wonder if the Roman Empire had this similiar problem?

if America gets into a trade war with China.... Amercial will lose... the Chinese are used to pain and suffering Americans have lost touch with the real world... boohoo I lost my house, my unionized job...etc... get a grip... who said life is fair or that you're even entitled to a house or an unionized job... Walmart, McD etc are hiring... get a job you bums...

I found out the other day we've GOT to buy more from china then we sell to them.check it out .It makes you sick.Thank you G.W.BUSH you SOB.He sold us out.

Another Kenyesian shill, thinks politicians have all the answers. CLICK.

Great idea, but I think it would never happen. Any corporate big wig will always seek a bigger bang for their buck. They would not think twice about outsourcing a job overseas if it can save them a nickle in the long run. They know no borders and are loyal to no nation. They own our banks and our politians. They control the value of our savings through manipulation of the value of the dollar. But just wait a few more years. The American worker will become the next Chinese like manufacturing slave once all our wealth is gone and we surrender the last of our individual rights to big brother corporation and government. What a grate future we have here in America......

512,000 jobs lost./ better than expected. They make it sound so good!!! Im so much happier now.

ANYONE LISTENING? The current one world economic trend can not be reversed by raising taxes on our trading partners. I propose that the one true solution to the lack of jobs in America has to do with the global economy and the demands for American ingenuity. The old jobs in production aren't going to be replaced by shipping all those factories back to the states. The new jobs are going to be anything but based protectionism..."Grab a Mop" is better than grabbing at protectionism!

Free Trade is the single biggest sham in human commerce. Free Trade MUST be with BALANCE. People's Republic of China is the single biggest fraud in our human civilization. By my estimate (of course, nothing is verifiable from these cowards and fraudsters), their loan loss is at minimum 2-3 trillion dollars. This would immediately wipe out their entire US $ reserve and more. This would put their trashy RMB at 12-18 per US dollar. Yes, they manipulate their currency,not downward, but upward. This also means their GDP would be cut in half immediately in a US $ term. Do you really believe, ladies and gentlemen, that fraudulent economy without any basic banking accountability could surpass Germany as the No 3 economy in the world?? How dare the Wold Bank and IMF produce such data? These dubious international bureaucracies must be confronted on this issue. We all know even they admitted it is impossible to figure that out. But why do they still do it anyway?

How can I keep from shopping china mart??? Its all thats out there. Maybe if the store had a sign posted on the front of the store " all items manufactured in America"