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So @yhazony in your lengthy thread on my essay you start from an incorrect premise. I do not ask, “What the Hell is going on?” Rather, I made a joke about a famous line from Donald Trump. My mental state is not surprise but dismay, over the new skepticism for economic liberty. 1/
Also my article was not addressed to *why* so many on the right are growing hostile to economic liberty, but to argue they are wrong to do so. This misreading may have inspired you to rush to the altruistic task of edifying me with your thread. Still... 2/
I have some quibbles with your tutorial. I’m not sure the 1990s were quite the era of “purist free trade” you suggest. But I get what you mean. You raise the specter that “rigid free-market purism” is to blame for China being a threat and “damaging America’s industrial base.” 3/
While I agree China presents real challenges, I would love to hear some examples of the rigid free market purism of which you speak. I saw very little of that under the Bushes, Clinton, Obama or Trump (or even under Reagan). It feels very strawmanish to me. 4/
I agree there is some truth that trade with China and globalization generally led to dislocations in our economy, including in manufacturing. But U.S. manufacturing output is nearly 70 percent higher today in real terms than it was before NAFTA. 5/
Empirically speaking, the blame for the problems you almost lay at the feet of “free market purism” can at least be shared by other factors, like automation, our education system, immigration policies, and a host of cultural factors. 6/
I’d go on, but you don’t actually make that case yourself. Your real bugaboo is with deductive arguments for liberty. I know this is a hang-up of yours. But I did offer experienced based arguments for my case as well. I’m sorry you skimmed over that part. 7/
And while I appreciate the suggested reading list which includes books I’ve read and at least one author I’ve had on my podcast (I’ve had you on too), the point of my essay was to offer a back-to-basics refresher on first principles. 8/
