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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (36099)	3/22/2004 6:28:18 PM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793719

Millions of Americans would not have turned so fiercely against so-called "free trade" if those who negotiated the agreements made certain it was indeed "fair" plus free trade. Millions of Americans are Economic illiterates, Ann. They are easy for economic demagogues to manipulate. The best thing we could do for ourselves is to get rid of all trade barriers no matter what others do. We would prosper while others beggared themselves playing the mercantilist game. Both Business and labor think they can keep what they have and beggar others. It won't work. Any more than you can fall "up."

To: Ann Corrigan who wrote (36099)	3/22/2004 6:36:43 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 793719

Capitalists are by their very nature greedy, and they are proud of it. Entrepreneurs take chances with their capital, risking everything for the possibility of a large payoff. If they fail, you won't give them a second thought, nor should you. Workers, on the other hand, want no risk whatsoever. They want a guaranteed paycheck. And they think that they can force capitalists to guarantee their jobs by voting it in. But, doesn't work. Never did, never will. There is no such thing as "fair trade" as mediated by government. No master plan is superior in allocating wealth better than the free market, better than the billions of choices made in split seconds by individuals with far superior information about price, quality and suitability of that which is chosen to suit their own preferences than central planners will ever have. You make the same choices yourself every day. You decide what kind of car to drive. Is your car made in America? Are all the parts made in America? My guess is no. How about your computer? Was it made in America? Were all the parts made in America? My guess is no. How about your groceries? Do you buy only food produced in America? My guess is no. Do you watch an American made TV? Probably not. Is your DVD player made in America? Probably not. Do you use Bic pens? That's a French company. So is L'Oreal, Michilin, Seagram's liquors. You're just pissed off because your personal industry is losing market share offshore, and you selfishly want to turn back the tide. I don't blame you for being selfish, but there's nothing in it for me, so please forgive me if I say that I don't care what country I call when I call a call center, I just want low prices and good enough quality.