[Doohickey]

You see, answering that directly would bring us squarely back on topic. This is an uncomfortable place for proponents of free trade to be.

They can't demonstrate whether or not free trade works because it's just not being done anywhere.

India and China enact protectionist policies and and their government subsidizes their industry. I can grudgingly respect that - they're just looking out for number one. They know they can't compete on a level playing field.

Meanwhile, over here we engage in some masochistic bizarro form of free trade. We make it as difficult as possible to do business in this country while making it as easy as possible for foriegn concerts to enter our markets.

[1rudeboy]

You see, answering that directly would bring us squarely back on topic.

Well, then maybe you could help hedgetrimmer out? I'll be glad to contribute when the time comes.

[Thisiswhoweare]

"Meanwhile, over here we engage in some masochistic bizarro form of free trade. We make it as difficult as possible to do business in this country while making it as easy as possible for foriegn concerts to enter our markets."

Super point - the fundamental issue is that we create circumventions of our tax structure and regulatory burdens to the destruction of our native industries and our citizenry.

We need to address the fundamental issues. Excessive taxes and regulations have destroyed our ability compete. The rest is nature taking its course.