Retail consumer products are not the only thing that's manufactured, and they are indeed far from the bulk of American manufacturing. We produce mostly steel, foodstuffs, airplanes, cars (mostly foreign), chemicals, oil by-products, and lumber. We do still have a strong industrial base, though, and the falling dollar is making it stronger. Like I said, exports accounted for 35% of GDP growth last year. The trade deficit is narrowing. The dollar decline isn't a problem, it's a solution.

-Dr House

Steel maybe
Foofstuffs that is of course counting petfoodstuff that was pulled of the shelves after getting some bad stuff friom China
Airplanes = if America is doing so well in this feild how come Boeing lost an American contract to overseas?
Cars ,please so me an American car withouit foreign made parts or not made by foreign cheap labor?
Chemicals most are done by work visas, and some are even made in Canada.
OIL BY PRODUCTS = COME ON TO MAKE THEM YOU NEED OIL MOST OF OIL COMES FROM THE MIDEAST.

So, tell me since we have this strong industrial base,and since the decline of the American dollar isn't a problem.
How come the 31 issue in America today is the economy?

It seems like to me if the economy is doing soo good why ask questions.
I mean if ain't broke don't fix it right.

However America's economy is broke.
You need not take the word of this humble poster check the polls.