[freebacon]

"This is not an example of international trade, not even interstate trade, this is nano-economics."

This was used in the article to contrast Free Trade in Capitalism and Socialism.

"This more than anything smacks of socialism. "

Protectionism doesn't protect wealth nor create it; It rations it out. ..Thats the part that smacks of socialism; Protectionism isn't Free Trade.


"It would certainly be nice to see this actually happen some day. "- in reference to the standard of living.

The U.S enjoys the highest standard of living in the world.

"Since this is in bold, I assume it is a major point. If so, then why waste your time trying to eliminate a 4-5% tax when there is the 35% income tax, 100% gas tax, 9% sales tax? Aren't you overestimating the damage tariffs are doing to the economy? "

This article is about Free Trade. Not the U.S's tax policies.

[sixmil]

Mostly non-sequitors, so let's look at some facts.

Maybe your definition for standard of living includes deaths per live births, but strictly talking money, here are the World Bank numbers:

GNP per capita 1999, Atlas method and PPP

			Purchasing
Atlas			power parity
methodology			(international)
Ranking	Economy	(US dollars)	Ranking	Economy	(US dollars)
1	Luxembourg	44,640	1	Luxembourg	38,247
2	Liechtenstein	.. a	4	United States	30,600
3	Switzerland	38,350	6	Switzerland	27,486
4	Bermuda	35,590a	7	Singapore	27,024
5	Norway	32,880	8	Norway	26,522
6	Japan	32,230	9	Iceland	26,283
7	Denmark	32,030	12	Denmark	24,280
8	United States	30,600	13	Belgium	24,200

I don't know how you can say we have the highest standard of living in the world any more. Maybe for a collection of states, but that depends on how you define the United States of Europe.