[jpsb]

Well whatever, as a free trading nation we are broke, we have high unemployment and we are deep in dept. Only the federal reserve printing presses are keeping us afloat. As a non free trading nation (pre 1965) we had the highest living standard in the world and were the wealthiest nation in the world by far. So I’d say history agrees with me. And Oh by the way the same thing happening to us happened to Great Briton once Great Briton adopted free trade as an economic model mid 19th century. Dido Spain in the 17th century.

[Sir_Humphrey]

Interesting theories. I did not know the 17th century Spaniards were free traders. And all along I thought Britain's economic decline was due to the cost of maintaining its colonies combined with various military defeats. In fact, one of the items that was responsible for the stagnation of economic growth was the political power of the trade unions but I digress. I just never heard that is was the lack of tariffs that was more responsible than these things.

We were a free trading nation well before 1965. Free trade didn't harm us; it was the growth of government, high taxes and most recently illegal immigration that have started us down the road of decline. Top it off with social and moral decay and you have the mess we are in right now.