Free Trade- just what can we live without?

[larkrake]

71. Ma bell started communications (as in Graham Bell)

Fair trade would not stop cheaper components, but they can be made here if necessary. Paying 800 dollars for a phone is ridiculous, especially when it takes $5 to make

Our clothing is poor and lasts maybe 100 wears, forcing us to buy another. Americans are the worst dressed in the civilized world, and pay premium prices for crap. Textiles dont have to depend on imports that again, will not stop with fair trade.We don't grow silk, but wool and polyester is no problem, cotton is thriving here, rubber and plastics, not a problem

The automobile was invented here. Now computerized, we are forced to go to dealers for repairs, which are rarely done properly. Alot of the add-ons offered are just silly and marketing tools to justify doubling the price of the car. For decades we imported cars with tariffs, that wont stop. Toyota, Honda and Lexus are now manufactured here. They own the patents of those components, so make them here. Any foreign company who settles in the US creates jobs and stimulates competition.

Our food is grown here, including fruits and veggies, we feed the world. The only thing we lack is an adequate source of seafood, thanks to BP oil and Fukishima radiation, both corporate disasters from dismissing regulations.Yes, we do buy veggies and bananas from south america, but we have that resource in house. Imported is not cheaper and we end up with old refrigerated veggies.