U.S. trade deficit reaches record high

The Centre Daily Times ^ | Wed, Dec. 14, 2005 | MARTIN CRUTSINGER -- Associated Press

[expat_panama]

What I said was that economic growth was "not better than every year from 1896 to 1970".

Strange, what I thought you said was "in terms of growth, every year from 1976 to now was obviously not better than every year from 1896 to 1970."  This is why I just pointed out that not every year was not better, and that in fact some were not worse, but evidently what I thought you said was clearly not what you meant that I heard you tell me to listen to your informing me otherwise.

I think.

"...it's far more plausible that we are better off because of advances in technology, not because of our record-setting trade deficit."

Now that we can agree on.  So the next time someone asks if trade deficits are good or bad, we can both say together "it depends..".

cheers!

[EGPWS]

establishing trade barriers on imports,

Raise prices domestically

reducing the exchange rate (termed devaluation) such that exports are less expensive and imports more expensive,

Stifle our economy as the greatest in the world.

or invading foreign countries with sizable armies.

Whatever it takes to support a sovereign nation with the greatest economy, brightest future, and toting innovation envious of the rest of the world.