It's been a while since we've seen or heard from the Georgetown Port task force. Whether they may be working back-room deals with lawmakers or they've given the issue a break until the new year, the dredging of the Georgetown port must not be forgotten. Not so much for the county, but for the state and country as well.

This country was the mecca for manufacturing at one point in history. Before the globalization of of our economy, we heavily relied on physically making what our minds produced. However, this notion of making and building such innovations has lost out to cheaper labor and efficiency. Having the Georgetown port sit almost idle hurts our efficiency as a county, state and country in the global market.

With our port fully functional, the manufacturers of steel, paper and a host of other products would benefit. Not only in profitability, but in keeping/adding jobs in our county. Plus, it is well known to many that businesses have eyed us for potential growth if only we dredge the port.

But why has the idea of manufacturing escaped us? If people held on to the importance of it as those who did in the 1940s and 50s, the dredging of our port would not be an issue. They'd realize the government was there to help them, push for the funds and not take no for an answer. Being passive and suggesting the "free market will take care of itself" is totally preposterous and absurd in today's global business world. Yes, people benefit from such a notion, but it is a few and the massive amount of others are on the outside looking in.

Let's face it. No economy is bigger than America's. None. If the economy was allowed to run freely, without any regulation at all, it would be in far worse shape than it is today. America would continually run with higher employment - and current numbers would be considered low. Plus, one sector cannot employ everyone. Can you imagine the service sector creating enough jobs for 150 million people?

Lawmakers on both sides of the isle have continually stumped on and around factory floors in this great nation only to leave the speech - and support - behind. This country cannot survive without manufacturing. Our population is too big. And those same lawmakers - as well as the people who live in this country - need to realize that.

This country has pushed toward more of a service-sector economy, forgetting the manufacturing sector almost all together. This push/thinking cannot be allowed to continue. Yes, we should be viewed as the greatest innovator, but we should also make those great innovations. In the 1940s, government invested in microprocessors. This resulted in making them scalable, and affordable to the mass market. The dredging of our port locally would help us as a country in delivering some of the greatest innovations made right here in Georgetown and likewise affordable to the mass market.

This Christmas, a lot of people will be opening gifts. Some may receive an Amazon Kindle. Let's all note that when you realize you have it in your hands, the purchase of it added to the trade deficit. It's foreign made. Matter of fact, a host of products developed in the United States are foreign made. Does this excite you? Seriously, do you all enjoy knowing a massive amount of what you consume is not made here? The drawbacks of being a consuming-minded service economy.

But how did we get here? How did the methodology develop where we not need manufacturing in this country? Well, those of the 1940s, 50s and 60s ought to not look far. Matter of fact, a mirror will do. It was those of that generation who worked hard in factories and pushed their children towards college and hopefully out of another generation of mill work. In the process of pushing their children, they grew up and there emerged a leadership class in both the public and private sector that no long valued manufacturing. Do you really think lobbyists, lawyers and service professionals really understand and relate to people in the mills? Better yet, how many do you think have actually gotten their hands dirty?

Manufacturing is our country's future. Dredging the Georgetown port will help secure that future here locally and abroad. It will allow us to compete globally. It will provide better opportunities to those who need jobs and those who wish to provide them. While there is a place for the service sector, it cannot replace the manufacturing element of this great nation. Supporting our port and allowing for local manufacturers to use it will only strengthen us here and around the world.

We don't need a task force - or a politician - to tell us what we already know, but are afraid to act on. The Georgetown port means life or death to this community in regards to manufacturing. When politicians talk about creating jobs in Georgetown, then the first place of interest should be our port.It is there where this county can begin stamping its mark on the global market.