I just realized you’re talking about something else. I was referring to Campaign Finance Reform, but you were talking about the Council on Foreign Relations, that’s what was throwing me off in your response.
I think where Fred stands is that he’s not an isolationist with respect to foreign policy (business or otherwise), so that may be also where you object. I myself would consider me to be a “globalist” (but this is not in the sense of selling out America, but recognizing we’re part of a vast market. I want the rest of the world to look like and become like us — not the other way around), and I think Fred is the same.
I would say that Fred believes in having foreign investment, but not an abject sell-out to foreign interests. This subject is often rife with demogoguery and perhaps the questions asked of him were loaded ones, or ones he simply couldn’t answer in a timely fashion (after all, most complicated questions can’t be answered in 10-second soundbytes). I sometimes see the Paulbots going after the candidates on this issue, and it is a rank appeal to unworkable isolationism, something absolutely ludicrous to pursue in the 21st century.
As a side issue you brought up, I do think anything related to business with Mexico (for example, say the Trans-Texas Corridor project) should be up for review, and we should apply sanctions if they themselves continue to refuse to stem the tide of illegals across the border.
I would personally hope that Fred would use these organizations (hell, even the UN) to our advantage rather than against it. We could remove ourselves from the UN or have our people disengage from CFR, but it won’t remove any of the underlying issues, which we still have to deal with.
I don’t think that one is necessarily saying to be an isolationist when they say they are against globalism.
Phyliss Schlafly, whom I immensely respect, has eloquently and articulately stated the problem we have with globalism. We Americans cannot compete with foreign goods which cost far less when wages paid are approximately 30 cents per hour. We Americans can also not compete against imports which are not taxed, where American companies are forced to abide by taxation, patent, and insurance laws.
It is not a level or even playing field. Americans lose/lose with globalism. Our industries get exported, as do jobs. We get defective/toxic products in return.
It’s not good.