If errors and economic misunderstanding were counted as output in GDP figures, Harold Meyerson would rank as one of the world’s largest economies. Exhibit A: his column in today’s Washington Post — in reply to which I sent the following letter.
Dear Editor:
Harold Meyerson’s argument that America no longer “makes things” is specious. It’s true, as Mr. Meyerson says, that “Since 1987, manufacturing as a share of our gross domestic product has declined 30 percent.” But this fact is caused chiefly by substantial growth in services and construction and not, as Mr. Meyerson implies, by declining manufacturing output.
In fact, according to the 2009 Economic Report of the President, total manufacturing output in the U.S. – measured by an industrial-production index – hit an all-time high in 2007 (the latest full year for which data are available).* In 2007, American manufacturing output was eight percent higher than it was in 2000, 69 percent higher than in 1990, 81 percent higher than in 1987, 184 percent higher than in 1980, and 213 percent higher than in 1967 – one of the years that Mr. Meyerson singles out as a glorious one when America “still made things.”
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030* These data are available in table B-51 at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/eop/tables09.html#erp3
(and do note that these data are adjusted for inflation).
Tim Worstall joins in the fun in documenting that Meyerson’s “facts” are fiction.
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Um…he was asking.
Right, so the lucre feedback involved is part of the democratic process as well?
martinbrock: “Elected officials don't represent me”
The 535 members of Congress represent the 290 million or so citizens of this nation, including you if you are a citizen. You may not wish them to represent you. You may not be happy with the decisions they make on your behalf. but as long as you are a citizen of the U.S., they are representing you.
Sam, you may not be happy with the way these clowns are making decisions. I am not always happy, either. If enough of the electorate is equally unhappy, all the lobbyists money in the world will not help these elected officials. It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
No, they don't. They say they do, and you parrot their declaration, but they don't.
I don't parrot their declaration. I do advocate following the U.S. Constitution.
Legally, you are represented in Congress, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and the other 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to tax you, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to spend those taxes as they decide, whether you like it or not.
A rational person would realize how much his legal representatives control his life, and try to do something about it. That's why I write to my Congressman, attend town hall meetings, and write letters to the local paper. I hope you do the same, Martin.
Enough dull repetition.
It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
I've noticed.
I'm not a democracy worshiper, so I can't say I'm disappointed in the electorate.
I also think it's a systemic issue, so the electorate is not entirely to blame for the situation, most of them attended government schools after all.
martinbrock: “Elected officials don't represent me”
The 535 members of Congress represent the 290 million or so citizens of this nation, including you if you are a citizen. You may not wish them to represent you. You may not be happy with the decisions they make on your behalf. but as long as you are a citizen of the U.S., they are representing you.
Sam, you may not be happy with the way these clowns are making decisions. I am not always happy, either. If enough of the electorate is equally unhappy, all the lobbyists money in the world will not help these elected officials. It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
No, they don't. They say they do, and you parrot their declaration, but they don't. I'll stand by my usage of “represent” even if it's not common.
“It matters not. He is your King.”
The sentiment is increasingly globalized.
I don't parrot their declaration. I do advocate following the U.S. Constitution.
Legally, you are represented in Congress, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and the other 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to tax you, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to spend those taxes as they decide, whether you like it or not.
A rational person would realize how much his legal representatives control his life, and try to do something about it. That's why I write to my Congressman, attend town hall meetings, and write letters to the local paper. I hope you do the same, Martin.
Enough dull repetition.
It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
I've noticed.
I'm not a democracy worshiper, so I can't say I'm disappointed in the electorate.
I also think it's a systemic issue, so the electorate is not entirely to blame for the situation, most of them attended government schools after all.
martinbrock: “Elected officials don't represent me”
The 535 members of Congress represent the 290 million or so citizens of this nation, including you if you are a citizen. You may not wish them to represent you. You may not be happy with the decisions they make on your behalf. but as long as you are a citizen of the U.S., they are representing you.
Sam, you may not be happy with the way these clowns are making decisions. I am not always happy, either. If enough of the electorate is equally unhappy, all the lobbyists money in the world will not help these elected officials. It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
No, they don't. They say they do, and you parrot their declaration, but they don't. I'll stand by my usage of “represent” even if it's not common.
“It matters not. He is your King.”
The sentiment is increasingly globalized.
I don't parrot their declaration. I do advocate following the U.S. Constitution.
Legally, you are represented in Congress, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and the other 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to tax you, whether you like it or not.
That they legally represent you and 290 million citizens gives Congress the right to spend those taxes as they decide, whether you like it or not.
A rational person would realize how much his legal representatives control his life, and try to do something about it. That's why I write to my Congressman, attend town hall meetings, and write letters to the local paper. I hope you do the same, Martin.
Enough dull repetition.
It is ordinary citizens – not lobbyists – who allow elected officials to remain in office.
I've noticed.
I'm not a democracy worshiper, so I can't say I'm disappointed in the electorate.
I also think it's a systemic issue, so the electorate is not entirely to blame for the situation, most of them attended government schools after all.
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