Recently there was a story in the Sun Journal about the paper industry in Maine. Sadly, it was only half a story.

The piece mentioned “foreign competition,” but said nothing of Russia. Those of us in the forestry industry know that certain multinational corporations are investing heavily in Russian paper. Why not? When you have low labor costs (slave labor), no regulations and cheap wood (free?), how can you go wrong? With so much at stake, shouldn’t these issues be brought out into the open? Free trade should be fair trade!

Perhaps it is too late to stem the tide of globalism. But in the past Chrysler was bailed out. After Sept. 11, the airlines were bailed out. Recently steel was halfheartedly protected, and textile interests were protected when job losses suddenly became too great.

It is the unevenness of our trade policies which is my greatest concern. With our debt being so great, who knows which inconsistent action is going to promote a financial panic which could lead to a state of perpetual anarchy throughout the world.

A certain percentage of our paper industry should be protected. And, as Maine goes, so should the rest of the nation follow. Americans should define globalism, and not the other way around. If we are going to do that, then we should do it soon before other economic forces pass us by.

Andrew Bennett, Buckfield