Thomas Friedman explores the U.S's problems with manufacturing jobs in Chapter 10 of The World is Flat. He offers insight into exactly why we have had such a hard time keeping factory jobs in the country.
Years ago, when the auto industry collapsed, as well as several over manufacturing based fields, one question on every American's mind was "Why? How has this happened, where have all the jobs gone?" Okay....that's three questions, but you get the point. Suddenly jobs had just evaporated and people were struggling to find work. Businesses had discovered that in the new technological world, they could easily export jobs over seas to foreign countries. Why would they want to do this? At the end of the day, it all comes down to one thing.
Profit.
Corporations want to maximize their profits any way they can. People in other countries will not only work for less pay, but also working conditions are not held to the same requirements in the U.S. They don't need to spend extra money safety testing their factories and manufacturing plants. It is much easier to turn a profit when you are not spending as much money. Manufacturing your product in different countries is cheaper than doing it in America. I don't agree with this backhanded tactic of saving money, but it's the modern world that we live in.
If we want these jobs to come back to America, we need to figure out a way to compete in the new, flat, technological world.
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