I love this country.Europe wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the strength of America.
I would rather my grandchild’s crib made here rather than in China…When a factory shuts down, it’s not just the factory, it’s the whole town.You’ll never see the name of a Chinese factory on your kid’s little league uniform.
We’re all family. We’re all Americans. We should protect what we have. We’re just feeding the dragon. One day it’s going to turn its head around and take a big bite out of us.
1. As President, how will you save American manufacturing jobs?
2. What specific policies will you support to strengthen the American manufacturing base, which is vital to our national security?
3. What will you do to enforce EXISTING trade laws?
There is now a panel discussion with four people-
Bob Danderson– Mayor of Berlin NH. He’s relaying the current story of how the paper mills are being dismantled. He tells a sad story that, I can attest is true. He believes "free trade" is what killed his city. We need "fair trade." He is getting big applause. "Both political parties have failed us."
Ratzenberger pipes in and says the schools are failing us too, with regards to training our kids properly in basic skills.
Mayor Danderson is quite passionate and sincere about the woes faced by his city in the Northern part of the Hranite State.
We are now listening to Gail (didn’t get last name) who works to retrain workers after the jobs go away. She remarked that the big corporate pursuit of more profit. Now talking about Fisher Price Mattel product woes caused by bad trade policies. We can make toys in Berlin better than in China. BIG APPLAUSE…
Mark McKinley
Tom O’Reilley that owns a textile company (tee shirts?) in the Manchester Millyard. He’s talking about how great his employees are. He’s now talking about how hard it is to stay competitive given that the health insurance he provides his employees goes up despite despite there being no big illnesses or other reasons.
"All we ask for is a level playing field."
Question Rich Reilly- Machinist & weldor. "Candidates need to pay attention to manufacturing." Talking about spending last several months helping to write resumes helping struggling people– many in their fifties and sixties. "What do we do now?" What can they do to help us struggling Americans?
Ratzenberger- Litmus test for candidates. They don’t understand people who get up every day and go to work. Can’t use tools.
Roland Sampson. Environment. In this country companies have to adhere to laws to protect land and water. Do they have these in China? Answer- no. Workers have sores from the bad environment.
Why don’t you hold Chinese to the same standard?
Woman- (no name) Amwerican manufacturers have to comply with struict rules & regs. How can we ensure safety with products coming from China.
You can’t.
Ron Burke- management consultant. Every time we solve a problem "over there", we fix it & then they take our jobs. "Outsource our politicians to China." BIIIG APPPLAUSE!!!!! Also noted the problem is caused by us when we buy products made in China.
Talk about Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Man- important point not to forget- Companies hiring illegal aliens doesn’t help.
Ratzenberger notes that prior to ’72, you needed a sponsor for immigrants.
Man notes that the illegals are in MANY of the trades.
Now Gail made an anti-corporate behavior remark– Who’s holding them reponsible when they violate worker rules.
The mood seemed to swing to a pro-union feel as we’ve moved along. The official program has ended. I’m headed down to talk with John now.