[tpaine]

Making a poor country into a new state or states would be very expensive.

You're not making any sense. Under a capitalistic/constitutional system, like ours, people make themselves into productive States.

Why are protectionists & socialists so bad at math?

[Toddsterpatriot]

Under a capitalistic/constitutional system, like ours, people make themselves into productive States.

If we spent zero money on these new states, you might have a leg to stand on. I suspect the welfare payments alone would bankrupt us. Besides, they'd think it was all a plot to steal their oil. It'll never happen.

Why are protectionists & socialists so bad at math?

Probably because they went to public schools.