2Cents of Oakland, ME I too believe that NAFTA was the beginning of the end for manufacturing in the US, and the decline of quality that we have found from China is appaling. But it appears, it would take an act of congress to repeal that, and they can't seem to accomplish anything, so we must adapt. I must once again make the comparison of ME to NH, our state government's policies ie: TAXES, FEES AND ON-GOING RESTRICTIONS LEVIED AGAINIST BUSINESS IS MAINE'S BUSINESS BIGGEST COMPETITOR.report abuse

chromedome of China, ME “The five highest employing occupations in Kennebec County, from highest to least high, he said, are: office and administrative support (average salary $26,541); sales ($22,734); food preparation and serving ($17,482); transportation and material moving ($24, 211) and health-care practitioners ($51,002).”

That data is scary. We no longer manufacture anything of importance to the world. We have become a service and consumer society with a high tax rate that stifles investment, we as a State and a Country are in big trouble. The politicians know it I’m sure and are keeping mum to enhance their narcissistic view of themselves.

The free trade agreements those idiots in Washington made a decade or so ago enriched the big box retailers who flourshed recently and now our work force has to compete with two and a half billion Chinese and Indians.

Our dollar is falling because we don’t build anything to sell anymore to redeem those dollars we are being ripped off for oil.

We need tariffs again whether Mr. Wal-Mart likes it or not. If we wait much linger the “out source” manufactures in China and India are going to be so strong they will be able to make anything the rest of the world needs whether we build the stuff or not.

I think our Government in Washington has to admit its ignorance of the world economy and act quickly to redeem our future in the world if that is even possible anymore.report abuse