Phony Baloney

I was recruited from having been an advertising executive for the Metrology Instruments Division of Bendix Corporation at Bendix, where we produced the leading coordinate measuring machine in the world. In the early 1980s, I was a publisher of manufacturing industry journals for Hitchcock Publishing Division of The American Broadcasting Companies, including Infosystems Magazine.

The magazine portfolio included:

• Quality
• Machine & Tool Bluebook
• Industrial Finishing
• Assembly Engineering
• Office Products Dealer
• Infosystems

These journals covered all aspects of manufacturing processes. When I arrived, I knew that my magazine, Infosystems was on top because it served the information technology management of all our corporations. I also envisioned the trend toward personal computing. 

I researched "industrial policy," Aside from Senator John Glenn, I could not find many in the federal government interested in the topic except a few. There was a disconnect. The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) was founded after WWII to advocate that the nation preserve its manufacturing capabilities and capacity to support defense needs. There was a position in the Department of Defense dedicated to industrial policy; the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) managed the supply chain. However, I witnessed first-hand the manufacturing industry struggling for survival. There was a belief that free enterprise would respond to demand and manufacturing would survive independently. That was a false idea.

"U.S. manufacturing peaked in the late 1970s, with nearly 20 million people in these jobs. However, between 1980 and 2017, the U.S. lost roughly 7.5 million manufacturing jobs. Starting in the late 70s and 80s, more and more people began to pursue higher education, seeking more desirable jobs." Jan 1, 2021

Why Has the U.S. Lost So Many Manufacturing Jobs?

https://www.austintec.com/why-has-the-us-lost-manufacturing-jobs/#:~:text=U.S.%20manufacturing%20peaked%20in%20the,to%20seek%20more%20desirable%20jobs.

In the quotation above, there is this, "seeking more desirable jobs." Who said that? Why are manufacturing jobs deemed undesirable? That is where we have a problem.

First, America's competitive edge comes from inventing superior products on the merit of intellectual property.

Second, American competitive advantage comes from producing superior products with higher quality in performance and maintenance.

Third, American manufacturing needs government protection:

1. Intellectual property.
2. Free trade agreements that level the playing field.
3. Incentives for domestic invention and manufacturing. 

Remember, capitalists, are not patriotic. The government's role is to balance economic, social, and environmental responsibilities in an uneven world.

Phony baloney is what came from politicians who did not understand the necessity of sustainable economics for working people.

https://www.amazon.com/Regenerating-America-Sustainable-Economics-Ahead/dp/1480851094