I'm mocking American companies that need to run to government to protect them from big, bad competition. Our economy and industry is the envy of the world and is based on American ingenuity, perserverance and creativity. I have full faith in Americans' ability to be competitive in the global economy.
You're making an emphatically anti-American claim right now.
What claim have I made that is anti-American? You're the one that seems to believe that we can't compete internationally without the government holding our hand.
Why would American industry become inefficient when Americans don't have to compete with slaves?
Let's see if you can follow this- if you get the government to protect you from certain competition, then you don't have to worry about how to beat that competition in the marketplace. This breeds inefficiency and leads to complacency.
Or are you claiming slavery is the only efficient type of labor?
Slave labor and cheap, low-skill labor are only efficient in low-end industries. If you're in an industry where an illiterate third-worlder can replace you for ten cents an hour, you need to start thinking about a career change. But you certainly should not expect the government to protect your cozy, inefficient job by forcing your fellow citizens to pay more for products.