General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I felt sad this evening [View all]merrily
(45,251 posts)in the course of WWII, in part because of our great natural resources, in part because of our huge consumer base, in part because of strong unions, etc.
Now, jobs going to overseas competitors again, "thanks" in no small part to trade agreements. Therefore, our huge consumer base is not helping US workers, and therefore the US economy, as much as it used to and the backs of unions are always being broken. This is especially true of private unions, but things like Charter schools are not doing wonders for state public union members, either.
Meanwhile, as the economy helps the smaller investor class, the larger consumer base can afford less and less. The widespread foreclosures of a few years ago sure didn't help, either.
And, oh, look, here comes TPP.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017247957
Very simplistic analysis. No doubt someone like Reich could add other things.