Erect tombstone to commemorate loss of factories
I’m deeply saddened to watch our factories torn down. Enough thought hasn’t been given to what’s been done to us.
Those moribund buildings represented hopes and dreams of thousands of area workers and their families. We’ll never again have the job opportunities we once enjoyed. We’ve been invaded and had our livelihoods ripped from us without a shot being fired – not even a civil protest.
Our federal government aided the destruction by granting tax breaks to companies relocating overseas. Both Democratic and Republican parties exacerbated the invasion of Sterling-Rock-Falls; Bill Clinton pushed the North American Free Trade Agreement; later, George Bush the South American Free Trade Agreement.
Foreigners have easy access to harm America as they export goods manufactured at prices we can’t compete with.
As we plant trees, grass and bicycle paths where our factories once stood, a portion of each factory should remain standing as a stark reminder of what was done to us.
I’d like to see a tombstone erected commemorating the irreparable social destruction.
Unemployment is worse than death. Death is final. Suffering caused by unemployment can last for years. Gleeful enthusiasm and joy watching our factories disappear should be tempered by silent mourning.
Our livelihoods were taken without a shot fired. A second invasion might occur when those who hate us try to take over America; they’ve infiltrated this country for some time.
When the time is right, our enemies might coalesce to strike as a thief in the night. Jesus of Nazareth said, “Pray that your flight be not in winter.”
Our first invasion was the destruction of our livelihoods. What, if any resistance, will we muster to prevent a second invasion? Or, will it be as easy as it was to take our livelihoods by destroying our manufacturing?
