Ms. Schlafly:

In your article "1993 All Over Again", you mention derisively "unfair trade agreements and foreign-government policies that invite corporations to move their manufacturing overseas".  But our trade agreements have served to decrease government intrusion on the economy and on choices made by individuals and families.  Reversing free trade agreements raises taxes on products and reduces competition — meaning higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation.

Further analysis shows that manufacturing output has increased as we've signed more free trade agreements, not decreased.  There are, of course, fewer manufacturing jobs, but this is due to technological innovation and improved productivity, not some mass exodus of manufacturing to other countries.  In fact, the number of people employed in manufacturing worldwide has been decreasing since the 1950s.

Improving our economy is achieved by empowering the private sector, not the government.  Job creation is facilitated by lower taxes and fewer regulations, not by increasing the tax burden and government protection of favored businesses and industries.  Competition in a free market, without the shackles of government intervention, is the best path to growth and prosperity.

Sincerely,
Dave Smith
Houston, TX