Our balance of trade deficit reflects our dependence on foreign oil and foreign manufacturers.

Our dependence on foreign oil endangers America's national security. The American military without gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and jet fuel is an extremely expensive and highly lethal paperweight.

Our dependence on foreign manufacturers hurts our economy in more ways than one. It contributes to our balance of trade deficit. It costs Americans jobs. It costs our state and national governments taxes that they do not collect from companies making products here and the workers at those companies. We also pay a psychological price knowing that we depend on another country to provide basic necessities.

To become a truly great nation in the 21st Century, America must move back to greater self-reliance.