Foolish talk about free trade - Orange County Register editorial

[question everything]

http://www2.ocregister.com/ocrweb/ocr/article.do?id=82635§ion=COMMENTARY&subsection=COMMENTARY&year=2004&month=2&day=25

Yes, I know that O.C. is the most conservative county in the country, but we need to know "our enemy." - QE

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Among the more dismaying aspects of the current presidential campaign is the extent to which the Democratic candidates are embracing protectionist rhetoric, almost to the point of denigrating international trade itself.

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The fact that President Clinton, the only Democrat since Franklin Roosevelt to be elected to a second term, advocated the generally pro-trade policies that characterized the Democratic Party since World War II might give today's Democrats pause. Being hostile to international trade might play well in certain congressional districts or in some primary battles. But Americans generally prefer a president to have a broader vision.

(snip)

A free economy in a free society is always changing, of course, and change, especially changes in the way people are employed, makes people nervous. But the experience of every country that has embraced relatively open markets and relatively free trade has been increased prosperity that has been especially beneficial to those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Jobs are lost, of course, but more jobs are created. This is true in the United States and overseas.

Between 1980 and 1996, for example, the real value of goods and services imported to the United States tripled, real GDP expanded by 50 percent and total civilian employment rose by 27.4 million. If the scenarios spun by critics of free trade had been valid, all those imports would have led to a loss of jobs and declining GDP.

Blaming problems on foreigners and foreign trade can be tempting, but it is shortsighted and self-defeating. Sens. Edwards and Kerry would do well to back away from their hostility to international trade. Eventually people recognize the absurdity of trying to increase prosperity by limiting and shackling enterprise and trade.

[AP]

1. Here's my thread on warning people to look out for this BS

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=392426