American freedom vs. trade deficit

I have written many articles showing the trade deficit is the primary cause of our oncoming economic disaster. One of the most absurd comments I received was, "We are Americans and we can buy from whoever we want to." I wanted to reply, "Yes, but with what, government money?"

It is ironic. The capitalists have promoted free trade to the extent that it has brought on Big Government (socialism) because they have moved all the productivity out of the country and the majority of the money left in the country does come from our government.

There are two or three basic causes and solutions. 1) The unions have priced themselves out of the market. We need a federal right-to-work law and limited collective bargaining. 2) The disparity between the rich and the working class has become unbearable. We need to increase the income tax on the millionaires and billionaires and revoke or drastically reform our capital gains law which has allowed this to happen. 3) A complete reform of our free trade laws and policies.

Our trade deficit (imports over exports) is now $50.2 billion just for May or almost $294 billion so far this year.

Cutting government spending will reduce the budget deficit but will cause thousands more to be unemployed and foreclosures. The few who still have jobs will continue to spend their earnings in China.

JACK H. KNOWLAN SR., Jackson