Why is our GOV letting our manufacturing base crumble and we have to find other incomes

Ever sense the mid 1980's I have noticed that every now and then one or more industries in our country becomes crippled by our government allowing other countries to flood the US market with their cheap goods. As a result people, like myself have been laid off numerous times. I believe trade with foreign countries is necessary and a good think but not to the point to where we can't take care of our selves.

For example; I have seen US textile mills closing down left and right because of cheap foreign cloth flooding the US market. I heard that if we were plunged into WWIII and could not get cloth from India or china anymore we could not even produce enough cloth to make uniforms for our soldiers.

One company I worked for was in trouble and asked it's employees to write letters to the white house stating our concerns about the decline of the U.S. manufacturing base and it's effect on the people and our country. I wrote the letter. I couldn't believe it, I got a response, and it went something like this. We are not greatly concerned with the manufacturing base in this country, we feel that the people that loose their jobs can just go out and learn a high tech field.I was shocked, do they really think everyone is able to do that.

I know there are lots of companies out there and lots of jobs ( as a matter of fact, I'm starting my new job in two days ) but I just think our government does not have a good grasp on reality when it comes to the common people in this country. some of us were born with a rusty spoon in our mouth, not a silver one.

Tell me what you think !