Voting for Bush = stupid

[AFPheonix]

On the other hand, free trade has contributed to a lot of the growth our economy has experienced and will continue to do so. Yes, it also forces our economy to grow and to change, and we need to examine other parts of how our government oversees companies engaging in free trade, but overall it's been a good thing. Ask any economist and they will tell you the same thing.

[aniwahya]

Unless that economist happens to live in China, of course. Oh, and it probably has nothing to do with the US trade deficit with China comprising 20% of our total trade deficit. Or the fact that our economy has been bleeding jobs for low to middle class workers, since cheaper labor costs in China and reduced costs of moving operations there and then shipping goods back to the US is more affordable since the PNTR.

[AFPheonix]

China isn't a particularly good example because they're not necessarily engaging in free trade back with us, as they have a fixed value on their currency amongst other limits on their trade.
Also, while some jobs are lost to other countries, we also create others in response to new companies that move into our country, as well as protecting other jobs that would have been lost due to higher prices by only "buying American". Yes, it's going to be bumpy for awhile as other economies catch up. This is actually one reason why I favor a single government health care plan: it takes the pressure off companies both large and small to take care of their older workers, leaving them better equipped to innovate and move with the market.

[Boozy]

Canada gets a lot of foreign investors setting up shop here because of our health care. It saves them a bundle on health insurance premiums, and its more palatable for us taxpayers because it benefits everyone. Better than corporate tax breaks.