I read with great interest the Opinion page of the July 7, 2010 Missourian. In particular, the comments of Bill Miller Sr. regarding the need for America to focus on rebuilding America. In combination with Pat Buchanan’s column recounting the devastation free trade has brought our economy it seems many people are coming to grips with the danger we are in as a result of misguided policies.

I agree that we must start rebuilding America. While job growth is slowly returning from the lows of the great recession many badly needed structural changes are on the table or have been enacted that will benefit the future employment prospects for millions of Americans.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010. This legislation will create or save one million jobs by restoring credit to small businesses, provide tax incentives for research and development and close a tax loophole that allows corporations to claim tax credits for foreign profits. This tax provision is one reason American companies outsource jobs.

A reinvigorated International Trade Commission has become much more aggressive policing violations of trade laws that have cost thousands of American jobs over the last decade. Many of these violations involve the Chinese and their practice of “dumping” products in America for less than the cost of production. The United Steelworkers have successfully pursued many of these cases involving tires and steel. Enforcement of these laws is saving and creating American jobs.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) consisted primarily of safety net spending such as unemployment and tax cuts for businesses and those making less than $250,000 to help the country sustain through the recession. However, fifteen percent of the ARRA was devoted to job creation. Many progressives and economists wanted more funds for job creation but were denied by Republican obstructionism. Most of these investments were allocated to infrastructure which is in dire need of improvement according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2009, these engineers issued a report card with a grade of D for American infrastructure. In no way do these investments make up for thirty years of neglect but the work needed to be done and doing it while simultaneously creating badly needed jobs was just good policy. Other strategic investments in high speed rail, green energy, and battery technology have ensured manufacturing jobs in these sectors are created in America and not overseas.

Too many Americans remain out of work and much needs to be done to repair our economy. It is encouraging that more Americans including some of our legislators are realizing the importance of rebuilding this country. The choice to support the U.S. is something we can do everyday. Every dollar you spend is a vote to support what you purchase. Help rebuild America – Vote today and Buy Made in the USA!