Free Trade vs. Protectionism

[DeaconBlues]

When I was younger, I was pathetically naieve about things, stupidly optimistic. I believed in "globalism," I thought the North American Free Trade Agreement was a good thing and a small step in the right direction.

UNlike most people, I am able to see when my opinions were wrong, and on the whole "globalism" and "global economy" idiocy, I WAS VERY VERY WRONG! I, like most Americans, was fooled, tricked, lured in by the idealistic image of a world-wide economic prosperity. For a multitude of reasons, it will NEVER work. The biggest reason being the horribly corrupt governments everywhere.

NOW, after I have come to a better understanding of things, I see that what other people would label "protectionist" or even "isolationist" ideology is NOT a bad thing.

I sincerely doubt that the U.S. is out of the mega-depression that the previous administrations (BOTH Democrat and Republican) put us into, I sincerely doubt that the U.S. citizens will see any real improvments for the next ten years. Hell, I doubt the average U.S. citizen has the resolve and determination to pull us out of the nose dive we are in.

But IF, IF we are to pull out of this mess... It will be through a process of restoring the economic middle class, honestly, I just don't think it will happen. I honestly do believe that the U.S. is inexorably being pulled down, we ARE going to become a "third world country" sort of economy.

But, for those of you who just cannot accept the reality of that grim prediction, I suggest you try to rebuild the U.S. economy. That will be difficult if not impossible given that most of our own government is working to destroy the middle class. (In 1970, the average CEO was paid a staggering 20 to 30 times what the average entry level worker was getting th the U.S., now it is 300 to 500 times the average worker's pay in the U.S.)

You can start by buying ONLY U.S. made things, U.S. produce, and spending as little money as possible outside the U.S. Keep in mind, many "American" things are not made in America (many Ford, Jeep, Chevrolet, etc. automobiles are assembled here, made elsewhere, yet some Subarus, Nissans and Toyotas are made in the U.S.) I truly believe it is a lost cause, but YOU can try to fix the U.S., as for me, I am seriously looking into immigrating to somewhere even worse that the U.S. where the little money I have left will actually pay for something (e.g. Philippines, Thailand).

[franalexes]

NAFTA and sending jobs overseas started long before "W".
Take a look at Clinton's first term.

[transjen]

NAFTA was in the works during Pappy Bush's term and was his brain child all designed on Reagans war to destory the middle class in the US
Jerseygirl Jen