Is globalism and "free trade" what's destroying the GOP? (America-first vanity)

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Yesterday I happened upon a post by a fellow FReeper. In retrospect, I am sorry for responding rudely to their post - and I hope they happen upon this apology.

The post was presenting their heartfelt opinion that American industry and our system itself must be allowed to come apart so that something better can replace it.

It was a Rand-ian position. The system is becoming oppressive, therefore we must weaken it.

[Mojave]

And it was wrong to do so. THAT is the position of a free trade advocate. What Reagan called for was managed trade.

Ronald Reagan was wrong because he wasn't a "free trade" zealot? I reject your attack on him.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Definition of free trade. So I guess you've been arguing against constructs you do not understand?

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Ronald Reagan was wrong to use trade restrictions as a club. Yes, that is my contention. He was right about a good many - in fact, most - things, but on using tariffs for protectionistic policies, he was wrong. That is my belief.

[Mojave]

That's your base price

To prove that Ronald Reagan secretly wrote NAFTA? What's your price to prove the existence of manbearpig?

[Mojave]

Ronald Reagan was wrong to use trade restrictions as a club.

A club? I reject your now more colorful attack on Ronald Reagan.

[Mojave]

...international trade that is free of such government interference as protective tariffs and import quotas

Only "protective" tariffs?

[Mojave]

Now Mojave is Googling.

And you're pissing yourself. Again.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

I reject your rejection!

Tell me why you believe Reagan did not use tariffs in a punitive manner?

[1rudeboy]

Hey, don't get me wrong . . . I think it's great that you're googling Reagan. You might learn something.

Now, if there was only a way for me to get your fat ass over to the public library . . . .

[PugetSoundSoldier]

I’d extend it to be all tariffs, but common usage of free trade is to eliminate protective tariffs, import quotas, and the like. You know, the tariffs used by Reagan and espoused by you and many.

[Mojave]

["Free trade" isn't managed?]

No. That is your fundamental mistake.

You just finished claiming that "What Reagan called for was managed trade" instead of "free trade", and now you're claiming that "free trade" is managed trade.

Take a deep breath.

[Toddsterpatriot]

“Of the $387 billion in goods the U.S. imported in 1986, more than 20% was protected by special tariffs, quotas, or other types of restraints, according to Gary C. Hufbauer, a Georgetown University professor. When Reagan took office, the figure was 12%.”

That's fascinating. Are you going to try to answer the original question about average tariffs? Just to be clear, what you posted says nothing about average tariffs.

[1rudeboy]

Don’t fall into the semantics trap these idiots are laying for you. They simply ignore questions that are inconvenient, and count on you to respond to everything they throw at you.

[Mojave]

I’d extend it to be all tariffs, but common usage of free trade is to eliminate protective tariffs, import quotas, and the like. You know, the tariffs used by Reagan and espoused by you and many.

So by your "common usage" definition, you're contending that Ronald Reagan was not a free trader? Just want it to be clear.

[1rudeboy]

He won’t. He can’t.

[Mojave]

Are you going to try to answer the original question about average tariffs?

I explicitly stated that I didn't have those figures. Do you?

[Toddsterpatriot]

I know.

[Mojave]

Don’t fall into the semantics trap

Translation: Demand other people's definitions, but don't provide your own when requested in turn.

[Mojave]

I know.

I said.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

I believe you’re confused. I’ve said that Reagan advocated free trade, but he practiced managed trade. There is no equivocation there. It is quite succinct.

And, to the point, you advocate managed trade. Correct?