Buy American

If we all bought 60% fewer oil products like gasoline, diesel, and plastics we could solve one buy American problem right there. Unless foreigners sold it cheaper than we could produce it.

Of course I love the idea of government mandates to buy American. Especially if American products cost more. We could lower our standard of living and be patriotic at the same time. What is not to like?

Free Trade

Pastorius has an article up at Astute Bloggers that tells a story of a man who traded his way from a paperclip to a house in 14 trades. Pastorius thinks this is a sign of decadence.

I don't:

Every body involved in the trades got something out of it.

i.e. something s/he wanted more.

Entertainment, something to do, the nice feeling you get when you do a good deed. An item preferred over the item traded. Reflected glory.

That is what is so neat about the free market. It can satisfy needs that are hard to quantify.