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Under your definition, someone who believes in a minimalist government, free trade, and actively is trying to get ahead of you economically is a socialist (and heavens alive a Marxist). I support free trade because it makes everyone better off and I would put it that the simple-minded cannot get their minds around this.

PhilipFreneau wrote:

"Free trade is Marxist doctrine, supported by the early 19th century "progressives" (liberals), opposed by early 19th century republicans (conservatives), and opposed by true conservatives today"

You replied:

"I support free trade because it makes everyone better off and I would put it that the simple-minded cannot get their minds around this."

This is a familiar cry of the opponents of free trade. They don't seem to understand what has made the world (and America) a far better place to live in than it was 200 years ago.

Marx embraced free trade because he thought it would accelerate the destruction of capitalism and all the individual freedoms and personal wealth created by it. Most protectionists are too simple minded to understand this point or to grasp the fact that their loathing of free trade gives them much more in common with Marx than those who advocate free trade.

Protectionists seem to think that American business needs more oversight and regulation and that consumers need more taxation.

This quote from Daniel Mitchell, an economist at the conservative (key word = conservative) Heritage Foundation, bears repeating:

“There has never been an example in global history where protectionism worked, period.”

Under your definition, someone who believes in a minimalist government, free trade, and actively is trying to get ahead of you economically is a socialist (and heavens alive a Marxist). I support free trade because it makes everyone better off and I would put it that the simple-minded cannot get their minds around this

Under my definition? Not mine. Marx said, "... in general, the protective system of our day is conservative, while the free trade system is destructive. It breaks up old nationalities and pushes the antagonism of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie to the extreme point. In a word, the free trade system hastens the social revolution. It is in this revolutionary sense alone, gentlemen, that I vote in favor of free trade."

Note that Marx did not believe that so-called "Free Trade" would make everyone well off. Rather he predicted it would lead to social revolution, which he supported. Marx's ultimate goal was a one-world government under communism. Marx despised capitalism, so would have never supported Free Trade if he believe it would lead to your utopian view that "it makes everyone better off".