James Surowieki wrote a very good piece on free trade. While I am certainly an advocate for open borders when it comes to matters of trade, there is no doubt some in the economy who lose in the deal. However, on the whole, the country is better and so are our trading partners.
The issue this election cycle should not be to shut down free trade, but how to integrate displaced American workers. Tax credits for businesses that hire displaced workers, moving incentives from States with unfilled roles (see Odessa, Texas), and other put-people-to-work programs are what is needed to help the unemployed. More food stamps and welfare is not the answer to greater prosperity.
Bashing free trade and stoking fears and low wage countries plays much better in the papers and media than does actually getting people back to work. Unfortunately it does not look like either Democrat is terribly interested in doing what is best for people.
Any way, the article is worth the read.
Surowiecki Article
By the way, this is the same guy that wrote The Wisdom of Crowds which is an excellent book.
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