[Toddsterpatriot]

I agree that my standard of living would be improved if I drank foreign coffee, had a nice big TV and drive a fine Italian sportscar. My life would be pleasant and enjoyable because I have these foreign goods available to me.

Excellent! I like microeconomics.

I maintain that it is a poor national economic policy for our government to put in place corporate taxes and regulations (labor, environmental, safety, etc.) which make it difficult for Americans to run profitable businesses in this country and thereby make it easier for companies in other countries to compete against us with low cost goods.

Cool, now you want to discuss macroeconomics.

Yes, I agree that the government really makes it difficult to run a business in the US.

I would further maintain that a trade deficit, while it may help us have pleasant lives, is probably evidence that our national economic policy is flawed.

Or it is evidence that foreigners like to invest in the US.

As a nation, we spent money we do not have, to fund a lifestyle that we, as a nation, have not truly earned.

The nation doesn't earn or spend money. It's clearer if you discuss what Americans do or what our government does.

You never clarified your claim about monetary policy.

[ClearCase_guy]

I have been engaging in expository posts, explicitly stating what I believe and why I believe it. I've been trying to build a logical case for my position. I may have failed/you may not agree. But my posts consist of sentences which build on each other and paragraphs which attempt to state a position.

Your posts are snarky, short, and basically just statements of disagreement. Your position appears to be that trade deficits don't bother you 'cause free makets are a good thing. End of story.

As I feel that this is going nowhere, I'm through.