Actually, IMO, the opposite is more likely to happen in a free trade environment, with the more intelligent and harder working entrepreneurs making acheiving greater success. You don't get the equal results you envisage without arbitrary controls like price fixing. So to me, if we to make an analogy with education, free trade is more analogous to private schools, which are market driven, while controlled markets are analogous to public schools, which are driven by politics. However, I do understand your point that cheaper labor found in developing countries can displace expensive labor found in developed countries like the US. Probably the garment industry is a good example.
Regarding the Monty Python quote, I believe he is himself quoting George Orwell. Also, I have not been aware that "Monty Python" is known for dishonesty.
But I had actually meant with my question "What think you of the concept of a free market?" to ask what you think of the free market concept when applied on a national rather than international level. In other words, should we have a free market within the US?
What I am saying, I guess, is that competition does not produce mediocrity or "dumbing down," but excellence.
>> You don't get the equal results you envisage without arbitrary controls like price fixing.
Who said anything about price fixing? I am referring to tariffs, which served this nation well for about 200 years.