[arete]

Because, ultimately, you can only import as much as you export. It's pretty simple

Yes it is simple which makes me wonder why you can't understand that the "money they send us" back, we owe them -- with interest. Can you see why this is a problem? Repeat 10 times -- "There is no free lunch".

Richard W.

[Beck_isright]

Shhhh, you'll upset the utopia being created.

[Norse]

>money they send us" back, we owe them -- with interest

Well no kidding. They wouldn't send us money if they weren't going to get anything. Paying them interest for borrowing their money is exactly the same concept as exchanging goods and services with them in exchange for their money. In fact, it may be highly advantageous for us to have a portion of our incoming money coming from investments into this country as the average profit margin for all NASDAQ companies is only 3.1% as opposed to sending them goods and services which cost us for the property, plant, equipment, raw materials, manpower, and administrative expenses.

I never said there is any free lunch, but there isn't free lunch for foriengers, either. It's a two way street.