You did. Your "rising disposable income" is measured against the U.S. dollar. The U.S. GDP measured by a comparative currency as a deflator doesn't look so hot, now, does it? Hence you're sudden interest in not giving a "sh*t".
Hence the only ones irrational are you guys, who show a rather pronounced case of cognitive dissonance, and who blow off the slide of the dollar as so measured.
As for protectionism, first go lecture the Chinese and see how far you get. And then read some U.S. history, such as Alexander Hamilton, Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt, or Ronald Reagan's.
As for your own poor language, and poor ability to conceptualize economics, and strategic warfare... suit yourself. To each his own.
The only part of Hamilton that you can appreciate is his advocation for a strong central federal government but you disdain his views of economics - that is if you've read your history. And an adoration ditto for the strong federal government tendencies of Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln. As for Ronald Reagan, he was committed to trade but had to walk a fine political tightrope to avoid isolating the economic know-nothings such as yourself.
Your "rising disposable income" is measured against [what?] the U.S. dollar. The U.S. GDP measured by a comparative currency as a deflator doesn't look so hot, now, does it?
I'm sorry, I should have written "real disposable income". However, the last time I used the concept of "real" (meaning: adjusted for inflation) it baffled you so badly that you came acRoss as totally ignorant in your reply. By the way, it's measured by the US dollar and it has grown in real terms; would you like to see the data set once again?