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Episode 2 Young Mayor Chapter 72 Steel Workers

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    Wang Lei quickly snapped a few photos. The splashing sparks contrasted with the two focused black men, an old man and a young man. The composition was very beautiful, and it was comparable to Pulitzer's best news pictures.

    When they stopped, Wang Lei walked over and said hello: "Hi, Shane, Martel, what are you doing?".

    "Hey, Rex, do you really know Chinese Kung Fu?" Young Martel raised his head and saw Wang Lei. He threw down his mask and made two boxing gestures excitedly.

    Like Wang Lei, he both goes to Woodland Hills High School and is two grades below Wang Lei, but they don¡¯t interact with each other that often.

    "Haha, yes, I know a little bit." Wang Lei also punched twice, which seemed more powerful than Martel's movements.

    "Wow, that's cool!" Martel said excitedly.

    "You're cool too. The splashing sparks are like a meteor shower in the sky. It's so beautiful. Are you doing something?" Wang Lei gave Martel a thumbs up and leaned over to take a look at what they had just welded.  thing.

    Shane is Martel¡¯s grandfather, a black man in his sixties and a retired worker at the Edgar Steel Plant. He raised Martel, who lost his parents, on pensions and relief funds.  He was silent, looked up at Wang Lei, then lowered his head and continued to play with things on the ground.

    It was a small locomotive, welded from scrap iron sheets. The iron sheets had been processed to remove the rust and polished. The surface had a dark brown steel sheen. It looked very delicate and full of metal.  of coolness and power.

    "Wow, it's so cool." Wang Lei sighed.

    Martel raised his head and said proudly: "What does this mean? I have many more at home!"

    "Rex, how about you teach me two moves of Chinese Kung Fu and I will give you this little train?"

    "Really?" Wang Lei looked at Martel happily. Although Wang Jiaming would also make some gadgets for him, they were not as exquisite as this little train. He really liked it.

    "Of course." Martel nodded.

    Just when Wang Lei was about to agree, Shane, who had been silent for a long time, slowly raised his head and glanced at Wang Lei: "China? They are the ones who took away our market and forced our steel plants to close down or reduce production."

    "Oh!" Wang Lei scratched his head in annoyance. He didn't expect that Shane had such great resentment towards China. As a Chinese, no matter whether he wanted to or not, people would always associate him with that country.  The current situation of the country is unknown.

    Due to pollution, labor costs and other reasons, U.S. steel smelting and manufacturing are moving abroad year by year, and the demand for ordinary steel is decreasing. In addition, cheap steel from Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, and even China continues to be imported into the country, making U.S. steel  The industry has fallen into a long-term decline and is now less than 1% of its peak levels.

    The decline of the steel industry has caused a large number of steel workers to lose their jobs. Shane is a victim, so he has no good impression of China, although he also uses cheap Chinese products.

    Wang Jiaming also works in a steel factory, but Wang Lei does not think there is anything wrong with the decline of the steel industry. It is precisely the past decade that has been the most prosperous period of the American economy. The Internet and high-tech industries are in the ascendant. That is what America is.  The future of the United States is the foundation for the United States to continue to lead the world.

    Martel secretly winked at Wang Lei, who responded with a knowing smile, and the two teenagers secretly confirmed their agreement.

    "Shane, the workers there are too cheap. The United States is the leader of the world economy. The new economy leads the world. We have created enough wealth and should make everyone live a prosperous life. It's just that sometimes we don't do a good enough job."  Wang Lei explained with a smile that this is also the reason why he leans toward the Democratic Party. Small government, big welfare. As the world's number one power, the United States should have this responsibility.

    Shane was stroking a piece of scrap metal in his hand, squinting his eyes slightly, as if he was recalling something: "I don't know anything about the new economy. I only know that at that time, after graduating from middle school, it was easy to find a blue-collar job and earn a lot of money.  salary, but now"

    "It is difficult for young people to find jobs, so they leave Braddock and go to big cities to work as waiters, couriers and repairmen"

    "Maybe you are right. Now is the era of the new economy. The United States does not need to produce its own steel and does not need steel workers. But what about us old guys? What about those unemployed workers? What about those young people who did not go to college?  manage?"

    Shane asked several questions in a row what to do. His voice was calm, but Wang Lei felt uncomfortable. The new economy can bring prosperity, but it cannot bring job opportunities to everyone.

    Job opportunities for blue-collar workers are changingWith less and less available, they must face competition from cheap labor from Mexico, Brazil and China.

    Wang Lei breathed a sigh of relief. He suddenly understood Shane's thoughts. He watched Braddock decline day by day. In the process, many people lost their jobs, and many young people found jobs.  Without suitable jobs, they can only leave Braddock and look for opportunities elsewhere.

    He found that his past thinking was a bit too simple. The United States not only needs a new economy, finance, and agriculture, but also manufacturing and heavy industry because they can generate jobs.

    "Shane, no matter what, the new economy is replacing the old economy. We must adapt to it and then look for new opportunities." Wang Lei also said with some confusion, how should the development of emerging industries and traditional industries be balanced?  This is a big test for American politicians.

    "Just like the little train you made is very beautiful, much better than the Chinese toys in the toy store, it is simply a work of art. I plan to hold a steel culture festival in Braddock, and you can take your handicrafts there and display them.  , if you want, you can also sell it to interested tourists and exchange it for US dollars, and you can still make money."

    Wang Lei squatted on the ground and fiddled with the locomotive. He was not exaggerating. This locomotive was indeed beautifully made.

    "Wow, Rex, are you really going to do the Steel Culture Festival? That would be great. In the past, we could only take the train to Pittsburgh and set up stalls on the road during the Three Rivers Cultural Festival - in the venue  The cost is too high and we can¡¯t get in.¡±

    Martel squatted down next to Wang Lei and said happily that he could not understand the conversation between Wang Lei and Shane. His ambition was not to be a steel worker or a blue-collar factory worker, he wanted to be a designer.

    "By the way, Rex, Braddock's cultural festival won't charge such a high admission fee, right? You know, this kind of gadget can't actually be sold for much money."

    Wang Lei smiled and patted Martel on the shoulder: "Of course, it is our own cultural festival and we don't need money to set up stalls by ourselves. The town can also help you build a better stall"

    "Wow, that's great!" Martel exclaimed.

    ¡°Braddock¡¯s Steel Culture Festival? Can it happen?¡±

    Shane looked up at Wang Lei and asked with some doubts.  Then he lowered his head, picked up the grinding wheel, and carefully polished the iron block in his hand.

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