[William Terrell]

People's lives are better materialistically than they were decades ago.

People have access to a higher technology than decades ago. That's all. More fun toys does not equal a better materialist life.

Medicine is expected to provide near immortality.

Yes? So?

We have the widest industrial base in the entire world.

Bullbutter. Whole industries have left the US and more behind them because we let slave labor economies compete with us. Where do you get your information?

Are you trying to make a distinction between real and nominal wages?

I'm talking about wages a person can use to by what that person needs, and they are dropping, last I read. Several posters on this thread have pointed out comparisons, a couple to you as I recall.

Nor do you have a grasp of world economic history if you believe this nation EVER was not intimately involved with exports.

This country always has exported goods. This country has always imported goods, but never has depended on foreign trade for internal prosperity. How many times do I have to say it? We traded with each other in a large manufacturing base, and we were prosperous. This new form of trade is a dangerous experiment.

"Globalism" is a concept of the radical Left and its modern name for "Capitalism" thus I reject the concept in its entirity. I am a believer in capitalism and recognize that there is a World Economy. Though you claim to be a conservative what you advocate is vastly increased governmental control over the economy which would end in socialism.

You are a globalist if you support programs and initiatives that lead to globalism, whether you think you are or not. Globally regulated trade leads to global governance. Beside the indicators that show globalism spreading in the wake of "free trade", how can it not?

This form of "free trade" is a new thing that has not proved it can work to enrich this country. I advocate an old thing that has proved it will enrich the country, therefore I am a conservative, and you, and all globalists are liberal.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Technological advances are not all, or even most, "toys" they have improved our lives in many ways some crucial. Too bad you haven't noticed.

It is also unfortunate that you cannot perceive the major impact on medical costs of trying to achieve immortality. IT should be obvious to any who have done anything more than the most superficial thinking on this subject.

Yes we clearly have the most diverse and powerful industrial base in the world. What nation comes close? You just look foolish trying to deny the obvious.

You are still grasping for a rational sentence wrt wages. Keep trying.

Further illustration of your ignorance of American economic history does not help your case. We are far more prosperous today than at any point in your illusionary "golden age." Your inability to understand this is part of your general lack of comprehension of our history and of economic theory and history.

"Globalism" is just another Communist boogie man, a reworked term for "imperialism" and "capitalism." It has no meaning to knowledgeable people no matter how much it gets the ignorant and foolish into a lather. It is remarkable to find some here still falling for that tripe when there is a vast amount of information available showing it to be as empty as John Edwards' head.