The modern factory is incredibly complex and even entry level positions require extensive training. From Semper Doctrina at semperdoctrina.substack.com:
As you well know, discussing manufacturing is fashionable these days, sparked by our recent trade and tariff war.
“Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country.” – President Donald Trump
To which a multitude responded, here MSNBC and Vox, respectively.
Would it surprise you that I disagree with both of those headlines?
Three of my recent posts on the matter lay out a different viewpoint:
- Battle of the Sexes (Tariffs), Rebalancing the Economy; in which I argue it is existential that we manufacture more American goods;
- Poor PeePee … Pee, Chinese Workers Better Paid than US Counterparts!; in which I demonstrate that US manufacturing workers are underpaid;
- Come on, baby, light my fire, GONNA NEED A SUPPLY CHAIN; in which I argue that all of our inputs, land, labor, entrepreneurship, and capital need be coordinated to the task.
But that is not the purpose of today’s post: I must say, in reading discussions about trade, in particular manufacturing, I get ticked off.
MOST OF WHAT WE READ ABOUT MANUFACTURING – – AND THE CHALLENGES OF BRINGING IT BACK – – IS IGNORANT, EVEN BIGOTED
Have any of these people, these journalists and academics, ever worked in a factory?!
Have they even visited one?!
This quote, in particular, sticks in my craw.
A nostalgia-soaked return to the 1950s industrial workforce is neither preferable nor possible. – Scott Lincicome, Cato Institute
