[Humble Servant]

” Having said that - what the hell is wrong with a buy American first requirement for any stimulus initiative? “

My first instincts are with you, but refer to lessons learned (and forgotten) from Smoot-Hawley, see above. Protectionism was a major, major part of making the Depression of the 1930’s into THE GREAT Depression.

[dennisw]

My first instincts are with you, but refer to lessons learned (and forgotten) from Smoot-Hawley, see above. Protectionism was a major, major part of making the Depression of the 1930’s into THE GREAT Depression.

A myth. Trade was only 5% of GDP back then