Thursday, July 31, 2008

Doing something real for the economy

While some are content to toss around tax dollars and call it economic development, a huge national manufacturer's trade group is about to announce that it's major grassroots initiative will include Lexington.

The Consumer Electronics Association's Free Trade Bus 26 state tour will make a stop in Lexington the morning of September 5th to draw attention to the importance of getting government out of the way of international trade.

From the press release:

"After decades of America believing it can compete and win in global markets, a disturbing trend, spurred on by fear-mongering commentators, has led some to turn against trade. A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll found that for the first time a majority of Americans view foreign trade as a threat to the economy."

"The facts demonstrate that trade creates millions of American jobs and provides billions of dollars to our economy. When America competes in the global marketplace, our nation's economy and workers win," said Shapiro. “The success of our consumer electronics industry in the United States and around the world is proof that the fear-mongerers and naysayers are wrong about trade. It’s vital that we take this message to the people.”

"Spurred by trade, the consumer electronics industry is projected to generate $1.4 trillion in direct business activity this year and directly employ more than 4.4 million Americans. Trade plays a critical role in the industry’s health – for example one in seven of those jobs, or about 616,000 jobs, is directly tied to America’s trade overseas."


Former Governor Martha Layne Collins is expected to play a role in the event. Congressman Ben Chandler's participation would be a welcome bonus, but is not widely anticipated.

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