[oceanview]

the elites want a two tiered socio-economic structure here - the wealthy and well connected with jobs in protected industries with high incomes, middle class people who are mostly government employees, and low paid service jobs and government handouts for everytone else.

what most of the "free trade" people do not understand - is that that socio-economic structure is a formula for a permanent Democratic majority in the US. The private sector middle class is the life blood of the Republican party; drive those people down the wage scale, or into government jobs or jobs funded by government spending (health care) - and they will vote Dem.

[Arthalion]

what most of the "free trade" people do not understand - is that that socio-economic structure is a formula for a permanent Democratic majority in the US. The private sector middle class is the life blood of the Republican party; drive those people down the wage scale, or into government jobs or jobs funded by government spending (health care) - and they will vote Dem.

Yep. People vote Republican primarily because they support the ideas of self-sufficiency, hard work, and a "get the government out of my business" attitude. By destroying the private sector middle class with free trade you undermine the concept of economic independence and self sufficiency. You make people more dependent on government aid AND make those still employed fearful that their own jobs may be lost in the near future...both of which drive voters into the arms of the Democrats (keep in mind that a sickeningly large percentage of American billionaires and corporate CEO's are themselves Democrats, from Bill Gates to George Soros, the ranks of the rich are suprisingly liberal). Once the democrats have control of the country, our transition into an internationalist socialist state will be rather quick.

BTW, I'm a middle class conservative who has ALREADY been driven into a government job thanks to outsourcing. I can tell you that most new employees, no matter what their political persuasions were when hired, eventually end up voting Democrat simply to protect their jobs. I know MANY Republicans here at work who voted AGAINST the recall last year simply because they feared that a Republican governor would cut their jobs.

Free trade is an insidious virus that will destroy American conservatism.