Urging a stronger U.S. economy.

The recent editorial, "Manufacturing On It's Own" (ECS, November/ December 2005, p. 7) has my blood boiling, as well.

Being in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years, I have seen the U.S. industry suffer in order to support the economic growth of other nations.

Although I am sure there are sectors in the U.S. that greatly benefit from this leveling of standards, I think it's a shame that the common worker in U.S. industry, the fabric of our great country, will suffer the most from such political decisions.

My father, a skilled tradesman, along with 1,500 co-workers, lost his job of 23 years when Ronald Regan was in office. My father is a wise man and predicted future U.S. economic strain 20 years ago.

What will become of our own blue collar people here in the U.S.? It may be true that we need to recalibrate our economy to be competitive in the world market; however, funding foreign research and development makes no sense to me.

It may be that years of apathy toward steering our own future, on the part of the common folk, has led us to our own economic leveling.

I appreciate the fact that the editorial columns advise us all to pay closer attention to the allocations of our tax dollars. Unfortunately, I believe that our government has a dedication first to world economy and secondly to its own citizens.

BILL SCHNEIDER 

BAY CITY, MICH.