When did I try to change the subject? I addressed everything you said. I think you are getting your threads mixed up.
I think you do a pretty good job of advocating the free-trade point of view when you are not trying to live up to your screen name (LOL), but I kind of view it as defending the indefensible. The ideas you advocate have been ascendant for some time now. Most of our political class, on both sides of the aisle, endorse your point of view. Are we better off for it? I think not. The traditional approach to trade, one based on bilateral trade agreements and the principle of America first trumps the current mode of selling our enemies the rope that they will to hang us.
The system we had prior to say 1970; the way we manufactured, the way we traded produced a super power the likes the world has ever seen. Now look at us. And if you dane question the status quo, even on Free Republic, fascist like 1rudebutt and todds-a-chinese-patriot cannot stand it. They cannot acknowledge that any price has been paid for this foolishness. It has all been good. Right. I wasn't born yesterday. The problem is people born after 1970 think THIS SITUATION IS NORMAL. And even worse sustainable.
From a purely blackboard-theory standpoint, I remain surprised that people think I'm rude when they call me a traitor. But some dumbass will show up to explain otherwise.