In the past, trade with other nations seemed to be mutually beneficial. But now, trade with China not only created a massive imbalance of economies, it created a 'sweet haven' for United States businesses to usurp the costs associated with the market and reap excessive profits. They no longer have to pay for things like employee benefits and environmental protection. They continue to whine about regulations (though there are some that are irrelevant) and the high cost of the American worker.

There are 34 bills in Congress, stuck in committee, that deal with issues like "the government can only purchase America flags that are made in the United States." Of course, let's not forget the normal "public projects must buy only US metals". Will anyone in the United States be able to earn enough money making flags? What about workplace safety in mining? The cost of environmental damage? As outlined in our Constitution, we have the right to own property; however, that doesn't come with the right to disrespect the sovereignty of another's property. If Congress doesn't yet understand what has happened, then we need new regulations in government; perhaps prequalify legislative candidates.

It's time for Congress to get smart and put the brakes on the excessive trade imbalance with China; or any nation, that will not allow the United States to export an equal (+ or - 5%) amount of goods and services. They need to say to business, "not at the cost of destroying OUR economy and the American people." By catering only to business concerns, our government has effectively killed the American Dream for decades to come. We were warned by Ross Perot (now currently operating in India) that this would happen. I can still here that famous, "That sucking sound you hear is your job going away."

Congress needs to redefine the rules of competing in a global economy.

A major part of an economic recovery is psychological. With a rise in consumer and investor confidence comes growth.

You notice we were on track for recovery until the Republican primary candidates started dominating the news with their doom and gloom propaganda, pushing President Obama off the air. Whenever you see the President in the news these days its because the pack of hyenas are attacking him, attacking the recovery, and threatening to destroy the nation's credit rating to set the conditions for taking the White House 2012.

What positive thing have you heard a Republican say in the last month? A tepid hurrah for the death of Bin Laden, is all I remember.

And, then there is this:

At 9.5 percent (a slight drop from May), the jobless rate is almost exactly where it was at this point in Reagan's first term. (The June 1982 rate was 9.6 percent). Moreover, the growth in unemployment over the first 18 months of Obama's presidency is essentially the same as it was during Reagan's. When Obama took office, the jobless rate was 7.6 percent; for Reagan, it was 7.5%. This, more than anything else, explains why Obama's political position in the summer of 2010 is so similar to what Reagan's was in the summer of '82.

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/07/02/unemployment_numbers_context

Well lets see if we actually get troop reduction in Afghanistan, the way Kerry and Clinton rushed out to make statements about how important our relationship with our back stabbing friends in Pakistan is I doubt it. If we pulled out of all our wars TODAY and stopped foreign aid TODAY the budget would be balanced in about 5years and jobs would come back and we would have money to spend here instead of slashing publicc sector jobs and wondering if we can keep our own government running. If we reduced our military spending to say what China AND Russia spend COMBINED our debt would be gone in 2 years. Wake up, our policy of giving 1.5 trillion in foreign aid a year and our policy of continually fighting wars is what is killing this country, just like the USSR went bankrupt and fell apart fighting wars.

"You notice we were on track for recovery until the Republican primary candidates started dominating the news with their doom and gloom propaganda, pushing President Obama off the air."

HAHA. THAT'S A GOOD ONE. You can blame the Repubs all you want. The problem is....no one believes that anymore. Bush was blamed for everything in Obama's first 2 years. Right now we are moving through the 3rd DOWN SPIRALING year of Obama, and now you try to blame the Republican party FOR 9.5% UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE WAR(S) ? Sorry, WE ARE NOT THAT DUMB !

The United States has a tradition of wartime fiscal sacrifice stretching back to the nation's founding. From James Madison to Lyndon Johnson, presidents have asked the American people to foot the bill for national defense. As Franklin Roosevelt declared in 1942, "When so many Americans are contributing all their energies and even their lives to the nation's great task, I am confident that all Americans will be proud to contribute their utmost in taxes."

By contrast, President Bush has coupled sacrifice on the battlefield with self-indulgence at home. As critics are fond of pointing out, he is the first American wartime leader to champion sweeping tax cuts in the face of a sustained military commitment.

Seeking to underscore Bush's break with fiscal tradition, some observers have looked to the Vietnam War. In 1967 President Lyndon Johnson asked Congress for a special wartime surcharge on individual and corporate income taxes, citing the need to limit deficits.

"By contrast, President Bush has coupled sacrifice on the battlefield with self-indulgence at home"

Bush lowered taxes and spent money on programs for seniors. You Dems/Libs want to call that "self-indulgence". Contrast this with when the Dems spend money on social welfare programs or stimulus money propping up UNIONS, you call it "investment."

Leona, the only thing that keeps our economy going and growing is when money is spent. It doesn't matter who does it; the private sector, business sector (inventory), or the government. If two out of three are not spending money, the third (usually the government) is obligated to do the spending. If President Bush didn't enact the Medicare Part-D and engage in two wars and create Homeland Security, we would have entered into a major recession much earlier; but, it wouldn't have been so severe.

If you loved the spending programs created by the Republicans, you should be able to appreciate a little spending by the Democrats. And FYI, I'm a moderate Independent; not willing to engage in polarized thinking.

"If you loved the spending programs created by the Republicans, you should be able to appreciate a little spending by the Democrats. And FYI, I'm a moderate Independent; not willing to engage in polarized thinking."

You missed my point. I agree with you. I am laughing at the polarized thinking from the LEFT. First 2 years, everything is Bush's fault. Now, that argument rings false because we are into the 3rd year of the Obama admin. So the Libs figure, let's start blaming Republicans, in general, because bashing Bush won't work anymore. HYPOCRITES.