In this section, I will be interviewing American citizens about the importance of American Manufacturing. The truth is, we are all citizens before we are businessmen, celebrities, athletes, servicemen, or politicians. This segment is a place where all types of American citizens can come together to share ideas, insights, and offer ways to benefit our economy. Notice I said our economy. There are many ways Americans can come together and support a great cause. I hope this is one of them.

This week`s guest is Senator Sherrod Brown (OH).

Q. Why is American Manufacturing important to you?

A. Manufacturing is critical to our nation’s middle class and to creating good-paying jobs that help us out-compete and out-innovate the rest of the world. Unlike wealth created by the click of a computer mouse, wealth created by expanded production in manufacturing requires an expanded workforce. Manufacturing jobs pay 20 percent more on average than service jobs. And it is no secret that Ohio’s manufacturing jobs have strong multiplier effects — supporting jobs in other sectors of our economy. Manufacturing also accounts for 70 percent of our research and development, more than 90 percent of patents issued, more than 90 percent of Ohio’s exports, and is critical to our national security and our energy security.