Monday, March 31, 2008

David Ignatius [" 'Roboburgh' Rising," op-ed, March 27] fell into the "either/or" trap when he tried to describe the challenges facing manufacturing and Pennsylvania's economy.

The fact is, you can't build "new" economy jobs without a strong manufacturing base. The steel industry has consolidated and modernized.

Today you'll find more steelworkers operating computers and lasers than working with ingots. The steel industry's challenges come in the form of illegally subsidized competition from countries such as China, indifference on the part of Beltway pundits such as Mr. Ignatius, and inaction on Capitol Hill and at the White House. Manufacturing is still the largest contributor to Pennsylvania's economy, which may come as a surprise to Mr. Ignatius.

Each manufacturing job supports four or five other jobs in Pennsylvania communities.

And manufacturing is responsible for two-thirds of private-sector research and development all over America.

It is possible to build a bridge to the 21st century but not without a strong manufacturing base and not without countering foreign trade practices that distort the market and harm American workers and businesses. Sens. Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain would be wise to address these issues and ignore Mr. Ignatius's outdated stereotypes.

SCOTT N. PAUL

Executive Director

Alliance for American Manufacturing

Washington