I remember exactly how we got to this point.
Ross Perot.
In a desperate bid to stop Perot BOTH parties embraced what Perot was against (free trade). And have been stuck defending it ever since.
I cast my first vote for Perot. And I will proudly say ... PEROT WAS RIGHT!
Free Trade KILLED AMERICAN JOBS!
or in Perot’s words. Free trade resulted in a “giant sucking sound”. That sound being all the US jobs being sucked away overseas.
I was also for Perot.
That has been widely ridiculed here of FR, but I am proud to have stood for America back then. Even if a lot of people here (and other places) have been strongly critical of Perot.
Perot was right.
Even if somewhat less than a huge vote-getter. Trump is far more well-spoken.
And Trump is in the GOP. Everything is favorable this time around.
Back then it was all theoretical on free trade so many were not sure Perot was right. We were told by Repubs and Dems globalization (another name for free trade) that was starting in the 90s would be a tide to life all boats. It is clear that it failed to lift all boats.
Not free trade rather unfair trade where deals made were either one sided or not kept by the other signatories
You are only partially correct. Free trade did not kill middle class jobs. It was STUPID free trade!
Smart free trade benefits both sides. Because of climate, natural resources access, and available labor quality, some countries can manufacture some products better than others. And therefore a mutually beneficial trade benefits both.
1st time I ever voted too.
I voted for Perot, too. But he seems to have practiced the old “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” trick. He and his son have made, and continue to make, millions off of NAFTA trade shipping.