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For several years (closer to decades) I have heard economists, futurist, those who track trends and some politicians say that one of the major problems in American Economics is the that we are no longer a manufacturing based economic society but a service based society.

That since most of the manufacturing jobs have been moved outside the United State, there are many different theories from taxes and regulations clear through greed of business owners (there is a thread already discussing this issue) the US is having to import more and more goods adding to the trade deficit and debt related to it. With not having the manufacturing jobs more and more American workers have had to go into service related jobs.

1) For what ever reason manufacturing may have moved out of the Country, do you believe that one of the major contributers (may or may not be the primary reason but you can discuss that as well) to the National economic problems and trade deficit is the shift from a production based to a service based economy?

2) Do you believe that America should be a manufacturing based economy? a service based economy? go back to an agricultural based economy? or some combination of the three? if so aprox. what percentage of each (example 33/33/33, 20/40/40 65/18/17 ect...)?

3) If the United States does go back to an agricultural or manufacturing based economy do you believe that it should be rebuilt in conjunction with the Unions or not?

4) If the United Stated does return to a manufacturing based economy do you believe that there should still be free trade (with all other nations)? trade only with certain "friendly" nations (what would define a "friendly nation")? Self-sufficient "isolationism"?

5) No matter how you answered #4 do you believe there should be what is referred to as "Preferred Nation" status for any trade?

6) If the United Stated went back to a production or agricultural based economy do you have any skills that would allow you to enter a manufacturing setting or are your skills developed around a service related setting?



Footnote:
With the above questions I am not trying, in any way, to promote a "Buy American only" philosophy, but am asking only regarding a manufacturing based , agricultural based  and service based economies.

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1) While one feeds the other, it's more of an effect than a cause.
2) Combination (it's good to hedge your bets).  But in what combination?  I don't know.
3) More of them?  Yes.  But basing solely on manufacturing or agriculture wouldn't be wise.  And a "no" to unions.
4) It depends on what we're trading and to whom.   Also, I don't think we've been engaged in free trade for a long time, if ever.
5) In theory, no.  In practice, it depends on what "preferred" means.
6) Not really.  I grew up on a farm and on a tractor.  But that was a long time ago.  Today, I can't even grow tomato's in Florida (grrrrrrrr!)