If people had the option of buying quality “made in America” products, I think you’d be surprised how many would be willing to pay more. I’m surprised that some entrepreneurs have not pursued the idea. I’m a big believer in free trade. When the Japanese started taking market share from American auto manufacturers, they did it based on higher quality products and innovative manufacturing processes (along with a bit of dumping). That’s great — real capitalist competition. Where we jumped the shark was when free international trade and competition morphed into globalization based primarily on seeking out the cheapest labor. It’s one thing if organized labor gets too big for its britches and runs up the cost of manufacturing beyond reason (which happened in the Detroit auto industry). It’s another thing to build a business on what amounts to off-shore slave labor and for government to enable that. Building the Bay Bridge components in China? That really helps the California economy.

How wrong you are Raul. CEO’s don’t move jobs overseas, you do. You look to purchase cheap products right? Given a choice of two products of equal quality you would chose the cheaper one right? Blame yourself or those forces that are driving up the costs before you lash out at someone for reacting to the natural forces of the market.

The solution for the American worker is not higher taxes. Capitalism has brought a higher standard of living to more people than any other system in the history of the world. We have bastardized the system so much that it is broke. Stop borrowing, stop over spending, stop complaining, take your bedroom slippers off and get your work boots on! Down size government, de-regulate, unleash the individual, stop the handouts, produce more energy here and you will see the plight of the working man improve. Your higher tax solution will only increase the size of governmnt, drive away business, and create a permanent high unemployment rate. 8 out of the top ten cities with the highest unemployment in the United States are in California. It is clear your way thinking is wrong.