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Xenophobia and Politics: Why protectionism is a lot like racism
Forbes ^ | 28 March 2005 | Steven E. Landsburg

Posted on 04/09/2005 6:06:24 PM PDT by Lorianne

Not long ago in American history accidents of birth were considered legitimate grounds for employment discrimination. Political platforms contained phrases like: "Federal contracts, whenever possible, should be performed by white workers." Politicians demanded tax incentives to reward firms for hiring whites instead of blacks or showing other kinds of favoritism. Those same politicians endorsed "Right to Know" legislation to alert consumers when products were produced by the "wrong" kind of workers. They embraced slogans like "Buy white!"

When I say this kind of thing was commonplace "not long ago," I really mean not long ago. Except for one minor and morally insignificant difference, I got all of the above from John Kerry's Web site. The only change I made is this: Where Kerry said "American," I substituted "white."

It's not just Kerry, of course. Both major parties (and most of the minor ones) are infested with protectionist fellow travelers who would discriminate on the basis of national origin no less virulently than David Duke or any other overt racist would discriminate on the basis of skin color. But if racism is morally repugnant-and it is- then so is xenophobia, and for exactly the same reasons.

......

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: business; freetrade
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1 posted on 04/09/2005 6:06:24 PM PDT by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne
Ahh, yes, the whine of the free traitors. Are we not giving enough American jobs and technology to China? Has India not taken sufficient employment from us? Does the carcass of America's industry have too many scraps of meat yet hanging upon the bones?

There will come a day when free traitors are utterly repudiated. I await that day.

2 posted on 04/09/2005 6:10:00 PM PDT by neutrino (Globalization “is the economic treason that dare not speak its name.” (173))
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To: Lorianne

Can you actually get paid to write such retarded stuff?


3 posted on 04/09/2005 6:11:09 PM PDT by dennisw ("Sursum corda")
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To: Lorianne

There's a difference between xenophobia and loyalty to one's country but obviously the writer wouldn't know that.

When publicists for the Global Economy first began work, they spoke of broad benefits for America and its workers. I've been watching for these myself and so far none of them have appeared. I wonder when they will.


4 posted on 04/09/2005 6:30:21 PM PDT by henderson field
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To: Lorianne
Being Non-White is an "accident of birth"???? How is being black an accident? If two white people have a black kid the husband better start putting two and two together.
5 posted on 04/09/2005 6:39:00 PM PDT by escapefromboston (manny ortez: mvp)
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To: Lorianne
Where Kerry said "American," I substituted "white."

SO using HUUUUGE flaw in the logic makes no difference????

Trouble is, there are those who would follow that line.

6 posted on 04/09/2005 6:42:05 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: Lorianne

Doesn't this guy have anything better to do with his time than practice self-grandinizement?


7 posted on 04/09/2005 6:45:34 PM PDT by mlc9852
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To: henderson field

This writer is an example of the convergence of corporate conservatism with liberal multiculturalism/guilty white liberalism. A strong mix, if the CorpCons can secure enough Dems they'll eject the social conservatives.

He's wrong to chastise Kerry. Kerry's a fellow traveler, his pro-American statements in 2004 an election related anomaly.


8 posted on 04/09/2005 6:46:28 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: Lorianne
So if I urge people to patronize local businesses and those business to hire local I am xenophobia.

That may not be the silliest thing I have heard today but it's close.

9 posted on 04/09/2005 6:51:58 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (The quiet ones are the ones that change the universe. The loud ones only take the credit)
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To: Lorianne

Oh Lord.
Now you done it!


10 posted on 04/09/2005 6:54:41 PM PDT by Sam Cree (Democrats are herd animals)
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To: Lorianne

You forgot the barf alert.


11 posted on 04/09/2005 6:59:14 PM PDT by sweetliberty (Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.)
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To: sweetliberty; All

Actually I think the article has merit, if only to confound pro-labor liberals. :)


12 posted on 04/09/2005 7:01:29 PM PDT by Lorianne
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To: Lorianne
The only change I made is this: Where Kerry said "American," I substituted "white."

This would imply that America is 100% White (Euro-American), and the world (including Europe) in non-White.

13 posted on 04/09/2005 7:04:37 PM PDT by Cowboy Bob (Question Liberalism)
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To: mlc9852


Doesn't this guy have anything better to do with his time than practice self-grandinizement?

Too late, he's already gone blind.


14 posted on 04/09/2005 7:06:20 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: dennisw

Are you referring to Post#2?


15 posted on 04/09/2005 7:06:41 PM PDT by Shisan (When in doubt, win the trick.)
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To: Lorianne

This should bring the Naderites out.


16 posted on 04/09/2005 7:09:18 PM PDT by Shisan (When in doubt, win the trick.)
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To: bannie

I substituted Hobbits for American and came to a really interesting conclusion. lol


17 posted on 04/09/2005 7:09:49 PM PDT by flying Elvis
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To: flying Elvis
;)

BINGO!

18 posted on 04/09/2005 7:12:35 PM PDT by bannie (The government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend upon the support of Paul.)
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To: tet68

LOL


19 posted on 04/09/2005 7:19:20 PM PDT by mlc9852
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To: neutrino

So explain why is it good for me to pay an extra tax on a foreign car so UAW members can get more money for less work?


20 posted on 04/09/2005 7:19:58 PM PDT by chipengineer
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