It's not the fault of 'big government'

Charles Lane,
Lancaster Township, Lancaster County

Glen Fry is right to lament the loss of good-paying American jobs (Letters, June 28, Intelligencer Journal). Government is to blame, but not "big government," as he states.

Beginning in 1981 with President Ronald Reagan, Republicans ran the country for 22 of the last 30 years, during which time they weakened labor unions and strengthened big business. Their slogan was "greed is good."

Republican Congresses underfunded government agencies that protected the rights of workers, while reducing the regulation of corporations.

Now everything you buy at Wal-Mart comes from low-wage, offshore producers. We can't return to isolationism. Where would we get our clothes, shoes, electronics, hardware and all our other daily needs?

We used to make these things right here in Lancaster County, but our greed dictated that jobs go to the cheapest producer.

So in the end, we are to blame, not government, big or little. Milton Hershey may have treated his workers fairly, but home schooling, morals and a love of God will not bring the old jobs back; they are gone forever.

Unless we force government to invest in new technologies, like renewable energy, the American Dream will vanish, too.

Comment on this Commentary - Comments should be directed to Ken Ralph, Editor of LCDC Media at his email address. Comments will be posted here.

Charles Lane

The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone and are not the official position of the
Lancaster County Democratic Committee.