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I guess the concept of hydraulic empire is difficult for you?

China making all our dishwashers isn't quite on the same level as a hydraulic empire. But thanks for the chuckle.

Super. All that remains is for you to act like it.

When I think of all the ways to "act un-American", I gotta tell you, profiting off a foreign investment doesn't even crack the top 1000.

America is "enriched" by foreign investment, too.

Excellent grasshopper, you have shown the barest glimmering of enlightenment.

For a while, until trouble develops and/or the "return" on that investment impacts national sovereignty in a number of ways.

Don't leave me hangin'. Tell me how that might happen.

No, we don't.

Yes we do.

Whole industries are no longer here, or are rapidly vanishing.

I didn't say we made more in every single manufactured good.

Why not manufacture what we need here and trade with each other?

That's a great idea. In fact I think every town should make everything they need. Why trade with those pesky foreigners from California or New York. I hear they're liberal. Wouldn't want to enrich them with my trade.

Don't you realize that depending for on people that don't particularly like you is inherently dangerous?

I guess it's dangerous for them too? I wonder if we cut off all trade with China in 1950, how much could we hurt them? I wonder if we cut off all trade with China in 2006, how much could we hurt them?

China making all our dishwashers isn't quite on the same level as a hydraulic empire.

Dishwashers aren't necessary equipment. Component sub-assemblies for military equipment are.

Excellent grasshopper, you have shown the barest glimmering of enlightenment.

Hence the quotes around "enriched".

Don't leave me hangin'. Tell me how that might happen.

Are you kidding? When you invest in something you own part of it. The larger the investment, the greater part. You don't understand this? Quite a lot of American land is owned by foreign interests, for example. Think.

I didn't say we made more in every single manufactured good.

We should make the vast majority. We have. Every year more capability moves offshore. This doesn't concern you?

Did you not read this?

We can manufacture everything our population needs for life, comfort and protection. We have in the past. What's the point of becoming dependent on foreign trade?

I guess it's dangerous for them too? I wonder if we cut off all trade with China in 1950, how much could we hurt them? I wonder if we cut off all trade with China in 2006, how much could we hurt them?

Oh, I see. It is the notion that a hostile nation will not invade us because we provide a market for their goods. The ignorance of human nature is breathtaking.

Again, give me a good reason why we should become dependent on foreign trade when we could make what we use and trade among ourselves. You tried a run at sarcasm, but sarcasm doesn't answer questions.