Replies

Take comfort in the fact that you are right. I just came back from Hong Kong, where I spent Christmas. No tarrifs, no personal taxes above 15%, no corporate taxes, one page form can start a company. Even during a recession (2.6% growth is considered a recession by Hong Kong standards as is 5.3% unemployment rate) the place cooks, it rocks, it thrives. Not everyone is wealthy but it is possible for everyone to become so; at this point, because free trade is allowed to run, Hong Kongers have a higher per capita GDP than the British do. Thanks to the tradition of laissez faire capitalism we passed onto the former colony.

Does free trade hinder political liberty? Not really - indeed, Hong Kong, under the Reds, can perversely be said to be a healthy polity - for example, the Hong Kong Ombudsman advertises on television asking people to call and complain about the government. And people do. Loudly. Demanding that the government be cut back. Further Hong Kong sense is shown by their television: 60 Minutes is accompanied by a warning, "this programme shows undesirable behaviour".

These morons who want to put up trade barriers to "protect" industries should be forced, at gunpoint if necessary, to go to Hong Kong and actually see what free trade does. The results are terrific. In contrast to what happens whenever cack handed government gets in the way and picks winners and losers in industries.

Ivan

These morons who want to put up trade barriers to "protect" industries should be forced, at gunpoint if necessary, to go to Hong Kong and actually see what free trade does.

Ivan, truly you are mad. Hong Kong is neither the root nor fruit of Chinese Communism.

I'm surprised one who is so set against the Marxist Feinians would be so coddling of the Chinese Marxists.