Protectionist Rhetoric

Fire of Liberty

While reading and listening to the various arguments and ideas being bandied about in the newspapers, cable TV, and the Sunday morning talk shows by our various politicians, I've noticed how protectionist and populist our politicians have become when it comes to foreign investment in this country. I've already read where some five to ten proposals about limiting or restricting foreign firms or entities owning anything with regards to the ports because it's a matter of "national security." Now I'm all for ensuring our national security by securing our nuclear power-plants, increased airline security, stricter border security, watch lists, surveillance of terrorists and their compatriots, using the military to search and destroy terrorists and their state sponsors during our current bout with Islamic terrorism but I'm a little wary of punishing foreign firms for being part of the globalized world, that involves the purchase of foreign companies. Though I might be getting ahead of myself on this one, I can foresee that if Schumer and company (Republicans included) are able to stop this deal and pass new laws that prevent foreign companies/entities from owning US ports because of "national security," then they'll eventually expand the list well into the private sector like automobiles, chemicals, agriculture, medicine and Lord knows what else. The only thing that this populist/protectionist act would do would be to scare away companies from other countries from coming into America and investing or bringing in new jobs thus eliminating the creation of more jobs by the likes of Daimler-Chrysler(They're closing some or downgrading so this is a slight mark but very slight), Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi as well as the various other foreign industries within the US. I don't know about you but I prefer to be second to none in the world with regards to our economy, military, and whatever else we excel in rather than experiencing the horrific economic fate that France is currently experiencing with its imposition of Gaullist protectionist measures. So while populism/protectionism might get you the votes and sway a large subsection of the Jacksonian style American public it will end only in disaster if they're ever pushed through into some law. Let's hope cooler heads will win in this one.