[hedgetrimmer]

However, It seems misguided to me to avoid a policy that makes the whole nation richer because it makes some individuals poorer.

It seems funny to you talk about a nation whose government was designed to protect individual rights,and try to twist the discussion into a discussion about enriching the collective. This is absolutely antithetical to the purposes of the United States Constitution.

It also proves the point that the free traders promote socialism, not individual rights and personal freedom. It follows that a free country whose system of government is predicated on the rights of the individual must not pursue "free trade" policies unless it is planning to do away with those rights and institute a type of collectivism . Their refrain--"we don't care what our plans do to individuals its for their own good that we put them out of business and give their means of production over to a third world collective where it can be done more cheaply."

[Mase]

It also proves the point that the free traders promote socialism, not individual rights and personal freedom

More government control of the economy promotes free market capitalism and protects individual rights and freedoms??

I believe you believe that but I didn't study economics at Berkeley.

unless it is planning to do away with those rights and institute a type of collectivism.

Think about all the governments of the past century that practiced collectivism and name one that believed in free markets. Name one that protected individual rights at the expense of the collective.

Berkeley is a bad place for a conservative to study economics.

[staytrue]

It also proves the point that the free traders promote socialism, not individual rights and personal freedom

Free Trade is about buying goods and services from whoever you want and selling your own to whoever you want without interference from the govt.