The Trump administration’s vision for America’s future is a starkly dystopian one, where workers toil in factories for the rest of their lives, with no opportunity for upward mobility. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick described this vision as a “new model” where people work in factories and their children follow suit.
Lutnick claims that these jobs pay mid-to-high five figures and are considered “tradecraft.” However, critics argue that this plan ignores the need for scientists to make basic discoveries and invent new technologies. The administration is instead relying on Elon Musk’s AI to drive innovation.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that fired government workers will be reassigned as factory workers, but even he acknowledges that robots will eventually replace human jobs. Lutnick seems uncertain about the future of work, stating that automation can build plants and create “great tradecraft jobs.”
The administration’s policies have sparked widespread outrage, particularly among those who value education, innovation, and social mobility. The proposed elimination of the Department of Education and attacks on foreign students, scientists, and knowledge workers are seen as a misguided attempt to promote American manufacturing.
In contrast, a forward-thinking approach that focuses on technical training, local ownership, and strategic tariffs could bring back manufacturing jobs while preserving social progress. However, this alternative is being dismissed by the administration in favor of a self-inflicted emergency that aims to purge immigrants, scientists, and higher education from American life.
This vision of America’s future is bleak, lacking imagination and dynamism. It promises a life of drudgery and stagnation, where humans are replaced by robots and chatbots. The reality is that this dystopian future is highly unlikely to come to pass, but its consequences will be dire for those who cannot adapt.
Source: https://www.404media.co/your-childrens-children-will-die-in-our-factories