> things that the US should actually value, such as a free market The problem is that countries like China disrupt the free market in ways that are hard to com

> things that the US should actually value, such as a free market The problem is that countries like China disrupt the free market in ways that are hard to combat -- currency games and subsidies for its own industries, for example. But the main problem is simple and obvious: As long as we have things like a high minimum wage, environmental regulations, safety regulations, etc., we will be at a disadvantage against countries that don't. If you've ever played any complex-economy strategy games (Dwarf Fortress, Settlers of Catan, Colonization, Imperialism, and Victoria come to mind), the common theme I've found is that being self-sufficient makes you very powerful. My conclusion: There's nothing wrong with protectionism, and our pro-globalization economic policies since the 1970's have simply been wrongheaded.