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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Do you stand up for your family when they are being taken advantage of? Do you step in and try to show them what is happening, or do you just sit back and watch them let other people continue to use them?
Basically these would be the two choices you would have. Trying to open their eyes to the situation can go either way – they will accept your guidance, or they will have to learn from their mistakes. Either way it’s a difficult situation.
As members of the AMERICAN FAMILY we are experiencing something very similar. For more than 80 years, we have allowed ourselves to be taken advantage of by many of the countries around the world. Because we were a caring people after World War II, we stepped in to help rebuild much of the damage that was done in Europe and Asia.
We had spent a lot of money defending them during the war, but then spent even more to restore their way of life and provide them with protection from their enemies.
We have even paid much more than our share to support the U.N. and NATO while other countries did not come close to paying their share. Then, in 1995 the World Trade Organization (WTO) came into existence.
Its purpose was to set the rules of global trade between nations and to provide a source for negotiations on tariffs with each other. Through the years America has allowed itself to be taken advantage of by other countries charging us much higher tariffs than we charge them. All the while, our manufacturing industries were struggling because the cost of American goods were more expensive to Americans than goods imported from other countries.
Then, in 1995, NAFTA was created, and even more American companies moved their manufacturing to foreign countries. With the loss of manufacturing in America there were also massive job losses.
Yes, there are TEMPORARY setbacks that are going to occur with leveling the playing field on tariffs. Yes, the cost of some goods may go up – but they will come back down. Yes, our stock market is going to take some hits – but it will recover.
In fact, as I watch TV as I’m writing this, the stock markets are bouncing back from the losses on Monday! This up and down may last for a while, but the stock market is not meant to be a day-to-day concern – it is a long-range investment.
Not only will the stock market bounce back, but many of the companies who relocated some or all of their businesses to foreign countries will be returning to employ American workers. It will take some time to rebuild their factories, BUT they will employ Americans to do so! With a more equitable tariff with other countries American goods will become more available and more affordable.
The response from other countries is showing that they value their trade with the United States, and they are now calling to negotiate with President Trump. Up to 70 countries have contacted the White House to find out how they can make a deal.
China will probably always be a problem. Once we get our manufacturing back to our country that might change.
The new tariffs that have been put in place are already bringing in large amounts of money to our Treasury and will continue to do so. Right now the best thing we can do is be patient and not panic.
Believe it or not, there are several things at play behind the scenes that will be great benefits for the United States. Having a more equitable, fair tariff program with the countries who have been taking advantage of us for so long will eventually bring prices down, enable us to export more of our products and improve our way of life.
I hope that we will start seeing more “Made in the U.S.A.” stickers on our clothes, food and prescription drugs. I want to be able to eat fresh foods grown here instead of grown in countries who have no health or hygiene regulations.
I want to buy American-made clothes and other items that are not made in China. And I REALLY want to know that my drugs are made here in America instead of by countries who are not our friends.
One thing that I have been thinking about specific to Coosa County and the surrounding areas is how this will affect Westwater and the graphite we have here in the county. I would hope that the Department of Defense will realize how important this is to the military.
Graphite is needed for so many different things the military and aerospace sectors need – lithium-ion batteries; production of steel, aircraft, missiles, tanks, helicopters, naval vessels etc; enable lighter weights; and improve stealth technologies.
It’s so sad that Sen. Richard Shelby did not understand the importance of this product when leaders of our county reached out to him as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee about 10 years ago. He allowed us to continue to be dependent on China.
So, needless to say, it is time we put America first in all things – just like we do our own families. The reason for so many people voting for President Trump was because we believed he had the guts to stand up for us against the countries who had been living off our money all these years. We believed he would stand up for the American family and put us FIRST!