Torie, I would ask you to please think over your comments. Until around the year 1990 we did not practice the exagerated international trade that some have adopted as the only model a true conservative can accept. I would say that prior to 1990 we had more and better conservatives than we did afterwards.
Before 1990 we practiced managed trade that saw this nation become an industrial giant. We imported raw materials and a few manufactured items. Now we have opted to import as much of everything that we can. Explain why that is better than than before 1990. Were we a banana republic before 1990?
My point is that you are more liberal than I am on trade. You want the government to use its coercive power to restrict what I purchase or raise its price, in order to influence what I buy. That is not my idea of conservative. Your characterization of the current state of the economy is yours. I don't agree with it. I don't think it comports with the objective facts. But we can debate this again if you wish on the proper thread.