Then maybe it's time for those non-college people to learn a new trick or two. What about those guys that lost their jobs in the textile, shoe and apparel industry in the 50s and 60s. Did they cry, whine and blame politicians or wages in Asia or South America?
But there were alternatives then like the auto industry. Now there is nothing done in the US that can't be done cheaper overseas. People keep saying retrain, however the foreigners keep training as well and keep outcompeting for jobs.
There is nothing special about the education and talents of the american people, it is impossible to have a win-win at a trading game against motivated and equal competition willing to work for 1/10 the cost. They will end up with all your money because there is nothing you can sell them back.
If America (and the rest of the West for that matter) want to stand a chance the only viable way is NOT protectionism (which is ridiculous -- if it worked then the former Eastern Economic Block lead by the Soviet Union should have been a manufacturing workers paradise!). The only way IMO is a combination of thrift, education and entrepreneurship. Why have some of these virtues of our parents' generation become lost with so many?
It doesn't matter how thrifty you are if you don't have a job. It doesn't matter if you are entrepeneurial if no matter what you do it will be copied and sold at a fraction of the cost. Protectionism didn't kill the eastern block, socialism did.
It seems to me Americans became too fat and lazy over the last 20/25 years. An entire generation with *huge* expectations (McMansion + Beach House, Gucci for the Wife, Porsche for Him) of what life has to offer them but with no balls, no discipline, no work ethic nor brains to live up to those expectations
A product of early success, degradation of culture, and the liberal ideal of less responsible individualism and more liberal government to take its place.
