Hmmmm Okay ... we tried free trade and what is sitting in the White House and who controls both of the legislative branches?
Well, let’s see (why do you guys have such a problem with the historical record?) . . . Reagan was elected over Carter, and faced a Congress controlled by the Democrats. Are you suggesting that there was a trend?
What happened to the economy when we tried free trade? What's happened politically is a result of the Government interfering in the economy, essentially stunting free trade and capitalism. Government influence unbalances the situation.
Obama was elected because of the economic melt-down of the mortgage markets, which was a direct result of Governmental meddling. That's about as far from free trade and capitalism as you can get!