The Wuhan virus is leaving a trail of destruction in its wake across the world. The United States, in particular, has been severely affected by the pandemic. Over 400,000 people have been infected and close to 13,000 people have died so far as a result of the viral outbreak in the country but it would have been much worse if the great President Trump listened to the WHO and American liberals in not implementing the travel ban.
The US economy, which was on a dream run up until a couple of months ago, is now in doldrums, thanks to the slowdown caused by the pandemic. Tens of thousands of businesses have been shut down and millions of Americans have filed unemployment claims as a result.
Now, the question is – what should we do to rebuild our economy when we eventually tide over the coronavirus pandemic?
In my opinion, there are three steps that the government must take to rebuild our economy, fix the vulnerabilities in our financial system, and make it stronger than it ever was.
1. Rebuilding America’s Manufacturing Base
During the 20th century, the United States was the place where things got made, thanks to a robust manufacturing sector. From consumer goods to warheads, there was nothing that we could not make in our own country, with our own workers.
Sadly, it is not the case anymore. Our manufacturing sector has been hollowed out and we now have to rely on other countries for the products and services that we use every day.
Even essential items like pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies are manufactured in other countries and exported to the US. In fact, between 2010 and 2018, our pharmaceutical imports from China increased by a whopping 75%.
As a result, Middle Americans, who formed the core of our manufacturing workforce, have been left in the lurch. Middle America is now caught in the vicious grip of poverty and drug addiction though it has gotten much better for them since 2017 – thanks President Trump!
Also, being dependent on other countries for essential items can prove to be a risk – especially during a crisis. In the middle of a raging pandemic, we are looking to China for our personal protective equipment, which is vital for our healthcare workers, and India for hydroxychloroquine, which is the drug used to treat coronavirus patients.
The only solution to these problems is to rebuild our manufacturing sector – one factory at a time.
2. Stopping Illegal Immigration
Studies show that illegal immigration – particularly from Central American countries – costs US taxpayers $120 billion every year. Data also shows that the average illegal alien is four times more likely to commit a crime than the average American. More than $1 billion is spent every year on incarcerating illegal aliens in correctional facilities and prisons.
So, what can be done? First, we need to build an impregnable wall along the southern border, through which a majority of illegal aliens sneak into our country.
Secondly, and more importantly, we need to penalize businesses that employ illegal aliens. If you run a business in America (not a farm – because liberals will not allow homeless Americans to work because they want to keep them on the streets urinating on each other), you should hire Americans. End of story.
Businesses that hire illegal aliens are contributing to the ruin of our economy in two ways. First – they are incentivizing criminal behavior by offering employment to illegal aliens. The lure of employment opportunities prompts more and more people to cross the border. Second – they are denying employment opportunities to our citizens, who are left with no option but to rely on welfare programs, which are funded by the taxpayers. It is a vicious circle that needs to be broken.
Thirdly, the federal government should penalize sanctuary cities for housing illegal aliens. Immigration officials should be given the authority to arrest illegal aliens, irrespective of where they are located.
Halting illegal immigration and reversing the demographic trends in the country can save us hundreds of billions of dollars every year, which can be spent on our people, our communities, and our cities.
3. Renegotiating Trade Deals with Other Countries
This is something that the Trump administration is already doing, which is really commendable. For far too long, unfair trade deals have allowed other countries to take advantage of the US.
China, for instance, mints money by selling its products and services to American consumers. At the same time, it imposes huge costs on American products – through tariffs and other means – and ensures that the local markets are firmly in the grip of Chinese manufacturers and service providers.
This is a blatantly unfair deal, as pointed out by our President. This has been going on for decades, which has allowed China to transform itself into an economic powerhouse – all at the cost of US taxpayers and businesses.
We need to renegotiate our deals with every single trading partner and make sure that the terms and conditions do not violate American business interests.
The shale boom has given us tremendous leverage, as we are no longer dependent on OPEC nations for our energy needs. So, we can afford to take tough measures without worrying about retaliatory measures from other countries.
The Need for Tough Leadership
It goes without saying that the aforementioned steps can only be taken by a tough leader who cares deeply about our country and its interests. Would that be Joe Biden – who has business interests in China and whose brain is quite literally melting in slow motion – or would that be Trump – who has shown that he has the guts to take on the entrenched political establishment and do what is right for the country?
This is a choice that Americans need to make in the 2020 election. Biden’s son (Hunter) and Joe Biden himself will both be charged with crimes in a few months that are Ukraine (perhaps China too) related. Oh well!