I am writing to you as the owner of the last mold-making shop in Rhode Island. We've been in business 37 years, and have weathered many downturns. My concern is not for myself, it is for the people who have made this trade, and all trades, their life.
Our government and big businesses have given the keys to our country to China. Officials believe it is more politically expedient to keep the populace awash in $50 DVD players and “Nofriendo” machines than to address the erosion of our economic base.
Growing up in a tool and die shop, I witnessed many a man acting as a sole wage earner, raising his family with pride, knowing he'd be sending his children to college. Now, you're lucky if three of 26 families enjoy that privilege. The dream of providing your children with greater opportunities than you had is now nearly defunct. There are no well-paying manufacturing jobs left. Period.
Manufacturing is wealth creation, plain and simple. American Idol is not. We're still allowing immigration, but we're not providing them with any manufacturing jobs, so we're ending up with a huge underclass that is poorly assimilated and has virtually no chance of succeeding.
France-hating has been elevated to a national sport these days; I myself frequently partook in the delights of cheese-eater jokes until recently. My attitude changed on a recent visit when I discovered that almost everything there, was made there. The reason we hate the French is the reason they are still a viable power — nationalism. Perhaps we should turn off our Chinese TVs for a moment and ponder this one.
C. Andrew Rosenholm
OAR Moldworks
Providence, R.I
