[Willie Green]

America is blessed with abundant and diverse natural resources, Joe.
And as you well know, my preference is that we maintain our sovereign independence by striving to utilize our own resources first, minimizing the necessity for international trade by having a flourishing and diverse domestic economy.

I'm also well aware that those conservative principals of self-reliance and self-sufficiency are an anathema to you. You would prefer to shackle our nation with dependency on foreign supplies of goods. That is why you denigrate the "protectionists" of national security.
You really ARE low, Joe. Very, very low.

[LowCountryJoe]

I'm also well aware that those conservative principals of self-reliance and self-sufficiency...

Why not mention limited government too, Willie? Afraid to go that far?

It is thoroughly amazing that throughout history this argument has come about thousands of times. Whether to isolate and be in total autarky. Or, to exchange something of value - something that you have a surplus of - with someone else - who also has a surplus of some good - so that you, as a consumer, can have more of a diversity of products for consumption. If it works in your neighborhood, why is it not good on the world stage...unless of course you must discriminate against trading with someone who looks different from you.

It is quite interesting that you can not provide evidence of these actions subverting national sovereignty...what will you do now; site the WTO with their non enforceable legal powers? Let's ask one other question, Willie? Do trading partners tend to be more or less at conflict with each other? You may have to try thinking like a rational person to answer this one.

[LowCountryJoe]

So, in answering my question the way you did; does that mean that you prefer not having any trade at all?