AAM’s Scott Paul published a letter to the editor in the Feb. 19 New York Times to debunk some of the statements made byeconomist Robert Reich.  ManufactureThis reprints Scott’s letter here:

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February 19, 2008
LETTERS

As the Wheels of the Economy Turn

To the Editor:

Robert B. Reich may be correct in noting that we’re “sliding into recession, or worse,” but his suggested fixes don’t add up.
Mr. Reich notes the importance of giving “middle- and lower-income Americans more buying power.” While that’s helpful, Mr. Reich then decries “trade protection” because “most routine jobs are being automated anyway.”

In fact, manufacturing jobs pay extremely well and create other well-paying jobs through a multiplier effect. Furthermore, manufacturing jobs are not “automated,” and instead require the training to operate high-tech computerized machinery.
Manufacturing workers are paid well precisely because of these skills. What’s needed is to create good-paying jobs, and one avenue is to strengthen American manufacturing.

We should enforce existing United States trade law to tackle the illegal, protectionist tactics of countries like China, which use currency manipulation in violation of world trade law to undercut honest American manufacturers.

Scott Paul
Director, Alliance, for American Manufacturing
Washington, Feb. 13, 2008
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