I think this hurts online sales alot. I can't buy anything overseas after converting the buck and shipping. But perhaps they can buy off of us cheapier.

Its like your Porsche going up in value 30% in just a couple years. Or your buying power going down 30%. But I know, facts, math, logic don't work if this 'hurts' the party line.

So why is it a problem for American products to be better priced in respect to foreign currency? It might put more Americans in manufacturing jobs back to work?

Yep, auto industry here as well. I listened to a guy yesterday that went on and on about the upside of a cheaper dollar. The jist was that we were handicapping ourselves for decades with our "strong-dollar" policy. Very interesting.

Weak dollar means more exports, more in country spending, etc..

Greenspan's bs deflects his responsibility to the White House. Treas Sect Snow's bs of $ value being set by mkt forces deflects his responsibility. Bush's bs lower $ complacency gives the mfg lobby an imagined hand job.

A somewhat permanent devaluation will derail all of Bush's agenda. The US $ is a store of value and investors don't bet on a country that devalues. Is it any wonder why oil, gold, etc prices fall when the US $ firms, duh.

The only problem I see with the weak-dollar theory is that in order to stay competitive in production, the manufacturing costs must be equal, so the worker has to be paid less(let's say half as a start) or the dollar has to be worth less(all products are twice as much). This means the worker has nothing left to spend on construction, entertainment, travel and other non-essentials such as sports cars (which I think make up a large percentage of the economy) and thus those businesses are affected. Kinda a snowball effect if all at once.
Recession leads to a loss of subsidized cultural elements which attract tourism and represent quality of life (for instance that fish importer goes out of buiness because of transportation costs so all your supermarket will carry is frozen fishsticks). Also loss of funds for scientific research and childrens education(whos tax dollars will pay for your retirement)
I dunno, mabye it's all worth it to get rid of the NEA and NPR.

Not having the stats on hand, when was the last time the dollar went sour? What happened?

Was that Carter? Did the dollar go sour causing the 70's economy or did the 70's economy cause the dollar to go sour? Am I totally off base?

I am really asking, not being a smart ass.

I think the stock market's "black Monday" was in the late 80's. that was the last time the US$ went sour afaik or remember.

Carter's bs of devaluation caused a run on the stock market also.
Probably the most famous devaluation was in England, in the 70's, when Marge Thatcher had to come in and reform the economy.

The IMF is famous for destroying economies by devaluing and raising taxes in S America.

don't quote my history.