[Batrachian]

Trade is like illegal immigration in that both political parties have essentially the same position, so regardless of who's in power the policy will not change. Therefore, if the policy is a bad one, which I believe it is, then we're stuck with it.

It is sheer madness to think that our manufacturers can compete with foreign companies who's cost of doing business is 1/3rd to 1/10th of what ours is. They shouldn't be forced to try. If a politician says that he thinks we can compete under those circumstances, he's lying. What he really means is that companies that profit from importing cheap goods and exporting jobs are giving him campaign contributions.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Therefore, if the policy is a bad one, which I believe it is, then we're stuck with it.

For now. It's probably going to take millions more lost jobs and billions in tax revenues before we see any meaningful changes.

[Don Corleone]

What he really means is that companies that profit from importing cheap goods and exporting jobs are giving him campaign contributions.

What jobs have been exported?There are more jobs now than last year and more then than the year before. They are just in different fields. Nobody makes whale oil lamps anymore. Life moves on!

[ClintonBeGone]

It is sheer madness to think that our manufacturers can compete with foreign companies who's cost of doing business is 1/3rd to 1/10th of what ours is. They shouldn't be forced to try.

Who exactly is 'forcing' them? If they can't compete, close up shop and sell the real estate for a new subdivision. Thats the way the market works bro.

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

"It should be recalled that one reason the American colonies revolted against England was that they did not like their assigned place in the imperial division of labor. The independent United States became an industrial competitor of the British Empire and eventually surpassed it.

Reports from the recent World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland indicate that a host of powers are working in the same way to undermine America´s economic leadership and overthrow its status as the only global superpower. Zhu Min, general manager and economic adviser at the Bank of China, predicted his country will become the main challenger to U.S. economic power, surpassing Japan to become the world´s second largest economy by 2020."

If neither major party will wake-up to the facts, then maybe after 2004, Conservatives need to look at the Constitution Party to be ready for 2008.

[iconoclast]

Trade is like illegal immigration in that both political parties have essentially the same position, so regardless of who's in power the policy will not change.

How sad that our nation so desperately needs a third party/real choice and there isn't even a voice in the wilderness.