Let’s see: free trade doesn’t work, don’t shop at Wal-Mart, it’s Bush’s fault — did someone secretly replace Myrick’s lecture notes with Democrat talking points?
Despite John Hood’s diligence, Myrick has apparently fallen for the myths. Either that, or she is calculating that her audience has.
Regardless, consider the factors Hood highlights — (1) tariffs and quotas still in place against China for Pillowtex’s chief products of towels and linens, (2) union meddling preventing a buyout, (3) high tax rates in NC on income and investment, (4) costly regulations, (5) high electricity rates, and (6) poor highway access.
In short, it’s hard to blame free trade for not working anymore when it hasn’t really been given the chance. A responsible political leader should work to reduce the superfluous, extramarket drags on trade, not declare a market failure when industry can’t keep up under competition and the burdens imposed by meddlesome governing.
