America’s economic engine is compromised. Forces at work over the last 30 years have sapped our nation’s vitality. How did it happen?

“Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match . . . .”

America’s infatuation with global outsourcing was not love at first sight. It began as if a few scattered drops of rain . . . and then more and more, and then everywhere. At first a trickle, then streams and finally rivers flowing toward the sea . . . creating an outgoing tide toward foreign lands.

It started with a wholesale distributor looking for a less expensive product to sell, who found K. Bo Sang in So. Korea, who found a manufacturer eager to add a new product technology to their factory.

It started with a manufacturer wanting to add a product at the low end of its range, who found Joe N. in Chicago, who contacted a manufacturer in Taiwan.

It started with a manufacturer looking for products to broaden its product line, who found Richard R., an expatriate American, in Hong Kong, who contacted a manufacturer in Kowloon.

BS, Joe and Richard did quite well, putting U.S. companies in touch with foreign suppliers. They helped customers transfer technology and arranged logistics. They booked the orders and were paid . . . perhaps on both ends of the transaction.

They were not alone . . . and soon there was blood in the water. Long hours, but it was easy work . . . everyone wanted help in finding lower cost sources for what they themselves were making. And foreign companies and foreign governments were equally eager to sell at any price; so long as they got the business.

[Post 11 of 21]