Should we trade at all

townhall.com ^ | 10/25/06 | Walter E. Williams

[from occupied ga]

One more economic lession to be ignored by the bulk of you

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

When I saw this was by WW, I knew it would be a valuable economics lesson. He's the best.

[SampleMan]

North Korea is a model of independence and non-reliance on foreign products. Who wouldn't want to live in that workers' paradise?

[PGalt]

Walter Williams BUMP!

[rellimpank]

--Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Bill Cosby--need one say more?

[Maneesh]

Walter Williams is a national treasure and this article reeks of common sense. Trade is absolutely essential to us enjoying a high standard of living and liberals demagogue the outsourcing issue to scare people into voting for them. The lack of economic understanding is one of the root cause of liberalism. If all high school students were required to read one of Dr. Williams' or Dr Thomas Sowell's books on economics before graduation the liberals would never win another election.

[cripplecreek]

What kind of a moron uses coffee and cocoa as an example of why we shouldn't be more self reliant?

[Armando Guerra]

One more economic lesson to be ignored by the bulk of you.

I wish economics 101 was a requirement for everyone. I am amazed at how little most really know. Even the little things like supply and demand curves can be such a mystery. I would, however, venture to say that the economics acumen here on FR exceeds that on DU.

[frithguild]

North Korea is a model of independence and non-reliance on foreign products. Who wouldn't want to live in that workers' paradise?

AND they have universal health care!

[Wombat101]

Williams is, of course, correct. Except for one, salient point:

How free is "free trade" when one side of the equation does it's level best to block it's partner's goods, infringe upon it's copyrights and patents and then builds up a huge, cash surplus, which it then uses to threaten the other side (vis-a-vis China and Venezuela)?

How free is "free trade" when in order to get those lower prices, which are such a boon to the American consumer, the government works hand-in-hand with big business in order to avoid paying AMERICANS to produce them (vis-a-vis NAFTA, CAFTA and a host of smaller agreements)?

How free is "free trade" when your national trade policies are dictated to a large extent by multi-national bodies (WTO, G-8, etc) which exist solely to protect narrow national interests, and not the actual concept of free trade? How free is "free trade" when the very multi-national bodies that regulate it are unelected and cannot be held accountable for their actions? (See also EU).

How eveident are the benefits of "free trade" to the American economy (in the long term) when a walk through Wal-Mart shows that the only products stamped "Made in America" are Pepsi, Doritos, Cigarettes and a wide range of laxatives, and all the furniture, electronics, shoes and clothing, plastics and a host of other products all say "Made in China"?

Free trade is a wonderful thing, provided, of course, that we're playing in a level field. We aren't, and this is due, in part, to open collaboration of the United States government, business interests in this country, and outright skulduggery by foreign powers and interests to systematically steal American wealth for personal profit at the highest levels.

What passes for "free trade" these days is most certainly not.

[DB]

Because the mechanisms/complications of production can be understood by even the not so bright?

[joe fonebone]

the only isolationist moron i have read is Pat Buchanan....

[Congressman Billybob]

I've had the privilege of working for 15 years for an organization which has Professor Walter Williams on its Board. It's called the American Civil Rights Union, and it was formed to counteract the abuses of the ACLU.

Others on that Board include Judge Robert Bork and General Edwin Messe. If you're interested in learning about the ACRU, please visit www.theacru.org

I agree with you; he's the best.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Recess at Salisbury State"

Please see my most recent new statement on running for Congress, here.

[Graybeard58]

I wish economics 101 was a requirement for everyone.

I haven't had "economics 101" but I do have a tad of common sense, a virtue that's sadly lacking among liberals.

[from occupied ga]

venture to say that the economics acumen here on FR exceeds that on DU

The economic acumen of dog squeeze exceeds that on DU.

[aberaussie]

I am teaching Economics to a class of 18 homeschoolers. I am using Sowell's book. I have parents sitting in on the class, they like it so much!

[from occupied ga]

What kind of a moron uses coffee and cocoa as an example of why we shouldn't be more self reliant?

one who obviously should have used a simpler example for you.

[Alberta's Child]

Great article.

I think Dr. Williams has been reading my posts here on FreeRepublic! LOL.

Of course, his general underlying point is original . . .but I used a nearly identical "synthetic agriculture" example on a trade/outsourcing thread a few months ago.

[dogbyte12]

I agree. They try to justify destroying our manufacturing base because tea grows better in India. Please. How many no trade activists are there anyways? Computer chips that are in our missiles, I kind of want built by Americans. Call me a xenophobe. I would like us to be self sufficient in case something bad happens. We can live without tea and cinnamon if something blows up overseas. We need energy, and manufacturing independence though. We grow plenty enough food to feed us. Luxury items should be from overseas. Things that can not be reasonably produced here. If World War breaks out and I need a pair of underwear, I would like us to be able to make them instead of hoping the shipping lane from Vietnam is clear.

That other job thing is crap too. You go from making something to being a checker at Wal-Mart is not the same. You have pride, you are creating something for your neighbors, your family to use. Paper or plastic doesn't give you the same feeling of accomplishment.

[cripplecreek]

Guess I don't have to ask what kind of moron would buy that strawman argument.