[sammyg2]

To compete on the global market, we either need to do it better or cheaper.

We used to do it better, make better products, better technology, etc.
Unfortunately we've exported our technology and quality.

That leaves cheaper. Ain't gonna happen as long as we have living wage laws, unions, etc that drive up the cost of labor.
Add to that the insane environmental laws and regulations, it takes a full time lawyer on-staff just to figure out which laws conflict with which regulations.

Good intentions have done far more damage than if nothing was done at all.