I guess that in order to boost the local economy in my area we should require that all products consumed in the County be produced in the County? That would make us better off according to your idea of economics.
no, not at all. but when you get to the point that NOTHING is produced anyplace except low wage countries - we've got a big problem. you can't base an entire economy on government employment, service jobs, and people who make money swapping real estate and financial securities back and forth. at least not an economy that has a large private sector middle class.