Relocalizing manufacturing may not create that many jobs as manufacturing automates more and more as time goes on.

Much of Trump's thin margin in the popular vote was due to promises to reduce inflation and increase prosperity. Now his rhetoric has shifted toward short term sacrifice for long term gain; supposedly tariffs will bring short term hardship for a future of greater prosperity. Manufacturing jobs relocating to USA.

Problem is, manufacturing is becoming so automated that it doesn't create as many jobs as in the smokestack past. Tariffs are likely to bring down prosperity instead. As I've been thinking all along, USA needs to consume less. Less cars, for instance.

Unfortunately, that burden of sacrifice is borne by the majority of folks, while a wealthy elite continue to benefit from wider income inequality. Automated manufacturing can increase wealth inequality as owners profit while few workers benefit.

What we need is a society that is less focused on materialistic gains. We need a culture that flourishes in other ways. We have much of that now as it flourishes in the arts, learning, human connection and volunteerism. Life is about more than just money.

Trumpism seems to be trying to take us in another direction.