Few people, and even fewer countries, are willing to act on principle and refuse a free ride. My main problem with Friedman (Tom, not Kinky) is that he's always saying what the world "must" do without an iota of realism.
I view Tom Friedman as somewhat benign.
Im not sure that he would be a bad thing in the Gov mansion.
Legislature will never pass any of his hare brained schemes. They may however, act on his better ideas.
The best thing about him is that he is NOT a proffesional politician. The worst thing about him is that he is a shameless self promoter ala PT Barnumn ;)