'McCain is living in the past'

The Times, Beaver Newspapers Inc., Pennsylvania, dba Beaver County Times, Opinion, Letters to the Editor, Wednesday, 23 April 2008, page A10

Also published on line: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 8:07 AM EDT
http://www.timesonline.com/articles/2008/04/23/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc480e10eb76ebf082625558.txt

Before business leaders in a warehouse in Wisconsin, U.S. Sen. John McCain promoted his economic agenda of free-trade, lower taxes and a smaller government.

America has been practicing free trade for the past 50 years. In 1965, one in three Americans worked in manufacturing positions. Today, as a result of free trade, the service economy represents approximately 90 percent of all American economic activity.

Since we have switched from a manufacturing-based to a service-based economy, our foreign trade deficit has ballooned. We have lost 14 million more jobs than we have gained, our standard of living has declined, the value of the dollar is sinking like a rock on the world money market, more American workers now find themselves without health insurance or a pension plan, and American workers now work more days and hours a year than any other workers in the world.

Free trade is great if it benefits all Americans. Instead of being a consumer- driven economy, we might want to switch to an export-driven economy. An export-driven economy will at least bring more desperately needed money back into the American economy.

Since 2001, lower taxes during the George W. Bush administration have increased the national debt from $5.7 trillion to $9.5 trillion, an increase of 66.67 percent. As a nation, we cannot afford a further increase in the national debt.

The 1994 Republicans Contract With America promised a smaller, leaner government. In 1995, when the Republicans gained control of the House and Senate, they cut spending to the CIA, FBI, NSA and other government security agencies. The result was 9-11.

McCain is living in past, promoting an antiquated system of government that maintains the status quo for the very rich at the expense of the very poor. Maybe U.S. Rep. John Murtha is right. Maybe McCain is too old to be president.

Nikola (Nick) Drobac
Aliquippa, PA 15001

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