I'm not sure why you're saying "horse puckey" when, based on the rest of your reply, I suspect we'd generally be in agreement on this issue. For instance, while you've neglected the economic impact of our bloated regulatory bureaucracy, I do agree that a shift in our tax policy is in order. The federal government should implement a relatively low, flat-rate "revenue tariff" on ALL imported goods while simultaneously reducing the corporate income tax to promote domestic industries and production.
but we also raise barriers all across the board on trade by maintaining high personal tax rates.
The personal income tax isn't a "barrier" to trade, but it is a shackle placed on our own domestic work force.