A better mission for Trump
One American dream used to be an auto- industry job – 45 years of high pay to a secure retirement. How could that and similar dream jobs possibly continue, when wages in other parts of the world have always been starkly lower?
Our economy has been changing for decades. Automation has replaced workers, and companies must relocate to foreign soil to compete in the world market.
Presidents are credited or blamed for economic changes. But a president, the commander in chief of our military, cannot command the private sector – or influence it in major ways – even with a supportive Congress.
Donald Trump wants to “make America great again.” If he became president, and brought his outstanding private-sector talent and experience with him, his ability to achieve that goal would be severely limited.
However, Trump could find ways to organize and lead the private sector. He could get wealthy people, normally opposed to big government taxes, to invest in large-scale projects. He could use his talent and experience to move, not government but the private sector, to help restore the American economy.
Henry D. Friedman, Sanger
This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 6:50 AM with the headline "A better mission for Trump."