Protecting our ability to manufacture core materials should always be a priority, no matter what the cost. When the day comes that we are dependant upon other nations for all of our defense and other materials, survival is not going to happen.
don't know how to start this post :S, just check out this site and do some research on the WTO.
http://thoughts.editthispage.com/stories/storyReader$138 "The gap between rich and poor.
The poorest countries are the ones which are outside the international trading system. The poorest of all used to be those which pursued self-sufficiency (this is the most destructive objective any group can choose) or which are so rebellious, anti-market, war torn or disease afflicted that no one wishes to trade with them. Such countries beg for loans so that they can temporarily enjoy the benefits of markets and then beg to be relieved of their debts so that they can borrow some more. Ideally their population should convert into pro-market thinkers and then they have to figure out how to end the war, find a way of living in peace and then of tackling the diseases. If they can manage those immense challenges they must work hard for 1 or 2 generations and they would become some of the richest people on earth (South Korea went the pro-market hard work route and North Korea went the anti-market self sufficiency route. Now the 'evil' capitalists of South Korea send food to the 'self-sufficent' North Koreans who would otherwise starve.)"
My comment:
If you're going to prioritize self-sufficiency no matter what the cost, even without the disease afflictions of North Korea, the US will become MORE dependant on other countries unless they go promarket and follow the WTO laws and it's principles rather than abusing it to squeeze out more concessions out of the third world countries the US economy is already dependent on. Did I mention that the US economy would crumble without the oil from Saudi Arabia? where the human rights violations are worse than those in Iraq and Iran combined? As for the defense, who are you going to fight? it is the US who supplies the largest portion of weapons on the market as it is a major industry for US markets, selling 10 year old weapons to developing countries. I think it's time to end the paranoia, don't you? I'm personally more worried about the US becoming another North Korea, I think it would be a major blow to the egos of alot of people if the US is dependent on Mexico for basic necessities.