He doesn't bother to compare that era's taxes, regulatory burden, and outright interference and control by our federal government of businesses. Oh yeah, and we had real money then to.
It has been asked before on this forum. Do you really believe that the same government that is ACTIVELY agitating for the demise of our manufacturing base should be empowered to regulate even more of your life?
You and I buy and sell goods and services as individuals. Our government does not buy and sell goods and services (except as needed to run the government). So why do we have to keep hearing about trade policies? The issue here is a matter of freedom, personal freedom.
Most people don't want to be forced to buy health care insurance. So why is it ok to have the government force you to buy goods made in this country?
Under a traffic system you can still buy imported good if you wish, no one forces you to buy domestic.