America At The Crossroads
by Charlie Coco

Have you ever seen one of those "we are the world" commercials, that appeared to be selling absolutely nothing at all? Sure you have! But, even if you didn't realize it, there definitely was an item for sale. It's called Globalization. Corporations from almost every region on Earth, are frantically trying to convince the American people that open-borders, and universal Free Trade, are the inevitable future. Cleverly, multinational companies have succeeded in labeling the coupling of mass immigration and Free Trade, as Globalization. A placid name for something that has the power to destroy America, isn't it?

Now, I know that many of you are thinking that Globalization is something entirely different. However, therein lies the problem. The term Globalization, is being used to cover a variety of unsavory occurrences. Those "we are the world" ads, are meant to rationalize a situation that seems to be out-of-control, and in truth, is. So why is Globalization, which has already begun, such a threat to America? Because a rich nation, as a whole, loses more than it gains. Here in America, the big winners in Globalization, are the world's Elite, and the corporations that they manage. As for the American people, only the upper and upper-middle classes are benefiting, by way of foreign-made components and steel, immigrant labor, a larger consumer base, the reselling of imported products, and factories in the Third World. It's not generally known, that when combined, the upper classes encompass just 24% of our population. Amazingly, the top fifth of America's wage-earners, are garnering more than half of the total wages! In contrast, over 70% of Americans, are experiencing a decline in their standard of living. And yes, Wall Street's version of Globalization is the cause.

Basically, the Globalizing of a wealthy nation, involves three extremely ill-considered actions. First, there's a systematic closing of manufacturing plants, in conjunction with a dramatic rise in service jobs. The service jobs are necessary to provide the displaced factory workers with income, and also, to create an illusion of economic well-being. Unlike manufacturing jobs, the typical service job is unable to adequately support a family. Conversely, service businesses are highly profitable for corporations. The second action, is the flooding of that nation with goods that were made in low-wage countries. The selling of those goods, is the main goal of what's being referred to as Globalization. And lastly, the nation is forced to endure mass immigration, as a means to add consumers, and depress wages.

If America remains as is, our manufacturing sector will be nearly eliminated in about 30 years, and our population will double in 55 years, at today's rate of growth. All of our future population rise, will result from immigration. There's no doubt, that our grandchildren's America will resemble a Third World country, if we continue our frenzied rush into Globalization. Incredibly, the domination of our government by giant corporations, is in effect, relegating America to a conquered nation. For example, the reason that Congress is being so tolerant of illegal immigrants from Mexico, is because Global corporations have hundreds of factories there! Each year, almost 3 million immigrants and guest workers are permanently settling in America. The cost of immigration to the American worker, via lower wages, is roughly 190 billion dollars annually. We need an economic strategy that allows us to fully utilize the workers and consumers that are already here. Merely to satisfy business, we're recklessly increasing our population, and foolishly decimating our manufacturing capability. It's a fallacy, that mass immigration is necessary for prosperity. During America's longest period of widespread prosperity, from 1945 to 1965, immigration was extremely low. It's equally untrue, that most of America's jobs are dependent on Free Trade. There's no way, that a 2 billion dollar-a-day trade deficit can provide more jobs that pay a living wage, than a 'protected' American market would. No matter what academics, politicians, and journalists are claiming, the wholesale exchanging of factories for service companies, a massive trade deficit in manufactured goods, the outsourcing of jobs, and a population that's escalating faster than China's, is a lethal combination.

America has truly arrived at the crossroads to the future. Although we're dangerously close to a final, and irreversible stage of Globalization, there's still time to alter our present course. In a world that has a net-gain of 77 million people a year, our own survival must take precedence. I honestly believe, that many of the wealthy Americans who advocate a Global format, really have no idea as to how devastating the consequences will be. Every American, whether rich or poor, must eventually ask if our nation is headed in the right direction. Sadly, it's not.