If you don't like debt, don't get into it. Not too complicated.
This is a new one on me. Please explain how free trade has caused me to borrow against my Master Card. I would have thought it was the lowest interest rates in 25 years and high home values that would have caused an increase in debt levels because every home owner is now able to refinance his/her credit card debt and take some money out of the old house.
Is that a bad thing? I don't know.
The really bad thing is taxes.
Let's see, the oil companies took 18 cents out of a gallon of gas during the "crisis" that we recently experienced with Katrina and such. The imperial Federal Government took 40 cents out of each gallon of gas.
We had hearings in congress where the Senators sat in judgement of the oil company executives and their record profits.
Even though the profit margins were maintained.
Where were the hearings about how much the government takes out of a gallon of gas? Did I miss them? Were they on the TV the night I got drunk? Were they in greek? I'll keep repeating that mantra until someone shoots me. Unless I see you and I shoot you first.
Speaking of "facts getting in the way", try looking at Real Net Wealth. In case you need a refresher of the concept of "real" and "net" as they pertain to wealth, may I suggest this article to jog your memory?
Yeah, protect-ism worked real good 1929-1950. I lived half of that period. You should have lived the other half.