Profiles in Marijuana Reform: Milton Friedman (MPP-TV)

[kikiloveization]

you know he smokes weed!....... lol

[Venezu3la99]

I contracted Super AIDS from marijuana. its should be illegal.

rawr rawr rawr.

[ScrewSocialism]

The damn gov't should follow the constitution...not bastardize it. Under the constitution drugs should be legal. And income taxes should be illegal. Read the constitution. Specifically Article One, Section Eight. It says exactly what the gov't can do...everything else it can't. Our founding fathers would be ashamed at America's behavior and the propaganda it uses to control the sheeple it creates.

[gboyishere]

Search Ron Paul's view on marijuana!!! Ron Paul 2012!

[FunKitYourSelf]

can someone hand me a lighter?

[UnitedPebbles]

Sure, it is good but bad for morale/ethics and in the eyes of the planner, it mean low productivity and high debt, which will eventually increase demand for a whole lot of free lunch.

California is heading in this direction if not already as I have observed the effect in Portland, Oregon.  Of course, the addicts died and new healthy people moved in and screw all the data up but drugs is not good, generally. But who can control an individual will?

[TheGreatDeciever55]

funny how Friedman has a Nobel prize and is FOR the legalization of drugs yet the people who are against it have no such credibility

[jaket61]

What is the percentage of people that smoke pot/ have tried pot. I heard the number 42% of americans but i dont remember from where.

[newguy33X]

@19189073 "did he just pick and choose..." I assume someone with an agenda and a brain picked for him.

[bonfirejovi]

@19189073 He also ignored Friedman regarding fractional reserve banking, inflation created subsequent to Volcker ending stagflation, the negative income tax, compliance costs for small businesses and public deficits and national debt.

[Bastiat00]

The Budgetary Implications of Marijuana Prohibition June 2005 Jeffrey A. Miron

500+ Economists Call for Marijuana Regulation Debate; New Report Projects $10-14 Billion Annual Savings and Revenues.

A nice piece of work that should be left from the debate

[mtszabo]

Amen! I agree 100% with Mr. Friedman. I think everything should be legal. Pot, LSD, Shrooms, DMT, Cocaine, Heroine, Meth, Crack, the whole gamut. I really only care about the Pot, but if other people want to risk the other ones, why should I stop them?

[dleestan]

Bunch of illterate potheads. Milton Friedman is dead. You're showing films from the 70's, how timely. You and Milt mumble like you got shit in your mouth.

You make a great case, want my support?

Sorry, Ned Wied

[burnzorz]

Does the video quality have to be so good that you can tell this made 20 years after you said it was.

I didn't have to edit videos in a studio to tell you this is from the 90's, and plus, you can see it in his age if you had actually seen clips of him in the 70's. You don't even have to go that far, you can see he ages at least 20 years from the intro clips from 0:12 and 0:21 to 0:52 seconds.

You're the one who's the idiot, and I'd like you to refrain from making stupid comments like this one.

[burnzorz]

and my original comment was aimed @ dleestan

[depena]

I've never seen pot heads get into a bar fight...

[wrightcoastryeder]

This is an excellent account of the realities of marijuana prohibition. It is my hope that real headway will be made in the near future towards marijuana law reform. In my opinion, the federal government is out of line to dictate which types of psychoactice chemicals can be used and which cannot (ie alcohol vs THC). Where is the freedom of choice that was the foundation of our nation so long ago?

[dennymon27]

@wrightcoastryeder I totally agree Alcohol is considered a social drug so is Marijuana I truly do not understand why this is even an issue

[CountArtha]

Mark 7:15

[ntn1987]

shut those bureaucrats up Milton!

[GnosticNinja]

America has spoken, Big Brother continues to ignore individual states sovereignty.

State troopers and Sheriff have more jurisdiction. I don't think very many people know this fact.

medicalmarijuana(dot)procon(do­t)org/view

resource(dot)asp?resourceID=00­0881

[carolyn4president]

YEE go milton!!!!!!!!

fuck the government they cant tell me what not to smoke!!!!!!

[gundamWWW]

While I disagree with Friedman on numerous issues, he is correct on this one.

The government should issue Marijuana ID cards (charge a $50 fee)

The government should PRODUCE and SELL Marijuana, and LEGALIZE posession in SMALL amounts.

Possesing pot in small amounts should not force the police to send someone to jail.

Waste of time, money, police effort, the judiciary's, the justice system and people's lives.

Apply a TAX to Marijuana so we can pay for hospitals, schools and roads.

Done!

[all028]

At 1:29, Milton states the gov't doesn't have any business to tell me what I can or cannot put in my mouth. This is true to a point. When a person overdoses, it is TAX DOLLARS that have to pay for the ambulance ride & hospital expenses, etc. Therefore, the gov't is making it their business...

[awesomeman09]

he is speaking about marijuana prohibition, you dont need to go to a hospital for that.

[all028]

That is true that he is speaking about marijuana in this Video. But, if you watch other videos of Milton, you'll notice he speaks of ALL DRUGS. He uses the same arguement for all of them...

Besides, we had someone here goto the hospital for smoking bad pot. Don't know what happened but the supplier put something it...

[sector9slide]

dude u cnt od on marijuana.

[all028]

I've ALREADY SAID this before but I will say it again.

Yes, what you are saying is TRUE. But, Milton uses the same arguement for all drugs....

[FCmagic01]

The point is the government does not have the right to tell you what you can do when it comes to narcotics, or anything for that matter.

All bans on drugs are unconstitutional.

And on top of that. The only thing bans on drugs does is increase murders due to drug cartels.

[all028]

If it costs the tax payers zero money, then I would agree with you. In the case of marijuana, someone recently (where I live) smoked bad pot because something was in it. The guy had to goto the hospital....

[Rockynurse]

You don't hear of people smoking bad ciggarettes or drinking bad alcohol because the industries have quality standards and any company whose product made someone sick would have their intangible assets damaged to the tune of millions.

Sure post the thing about what Milton says about the FDA. I believe they are incompetent too. Corporate interests control them anyways. Drugs like vicotine are given out like candy but oh no pot can't be medicine!

[pdynamics1]

actually that's where you are wrong. Cigarettes and alchohol go thru gov't inspections.

Besides, there are alot of social costs with alcohol like drunk driving. Drunk driving costs tax payers millions per year according to MADD (Mothers against drunk driving)

[Rockynurse]

Drunk driving will happen regardless of the laws. Whether or not it will be greater or smaller if it is criminalized or legal is up to debate though.

The war on drugs is costing tax payers over 77 billion a year. Marijuana alone is over 10 billion. I understand ciggarettes and alcohol go through government inspections. That is exactly how it should be!

[pdynamics1]

This isn't a debate of whether it is 77 or 10 billion. It is a debate of whether it costs the tax payers dollars or not.

Since it does, then it is the government's business...I'm inclined to agree with all028. Sorry man. If it costs the tax payers zero $, then I would agree with you that it is none of the government's business and they should stay out.

[Hashishin13]

Look up libertarianism, most of the people who want drugs legal also don' want to force citizens to pay other people's bills.

People always talk about cannabis' social costs like they have any fucking idea. If they knew anything about cannabis' costs then they wouldn't be quoting the costs of alcohol, a far more damaging and costly drug to society.

As you have shown by your example, the costs to society attributed to cannabis are always costs of the drug war, not the drug.

[all028]

Hashishin13: You think I have no fuckin idea? Ok, well I use to work at a foster children agency where kids had major disorders called FAS (Fetal alchohol syndrome). Others with drug habits who were born that way.

You think that doesn't have a cost on society...some of these kids are screwed for life and do damage to society. I've seen 1st hand some of this shit does to society...

[JohnColt]

@all028 Hey :)

Yes, drug use does effect society; obviously you are right.

However, criminalization DOES NOT STOP PEOPLE FROM TAKING DRUGS. Now, you may argue that legalization will increase drug addiction slightly - that is a reasonable prediction - but the truth is that drug addiction and its effect on society is a trivial matter compared to the real problem: the drugs INDUSTRY and the terrorism it funds. Criminalization HELPS the cartels... that's Friedman's opinion, anyway :)

Cheers.

[all028]

@JohnColt: you say "criminalization DOES NOT STOP PEOPLE FROM TAKING DRUGS" I know that...That isn't a news flash. My suggestion is to look at Portugal where drugs were legalized. I do agree with your point that much of the drug trade is going to help fund criminals. But just because you legalize it doesn't mean these cartels are going to be angels. They will find the next banned substance (or product) and start illegal trade with that as well.

[JohnColt]

@all028

Which banned substances or products are you thinking of?

What's your point about Portugal? According to what I've read, that project (decriminalization, not legalization) has been successful.

[Rockynurse]

Overdosage happens mostly because illegal drugs have an unknown potency. If they were legal then the potency would be written on the box. If someone is going to kill themselves by overdosage they have many legal options including ones that don't have age limits (or at least enforced ones) like sleeping pills and ibuprofen!

[all028]

Ironically, there is another Milton video where he wants to abolish the FDA. The interviewer argued that would be a safety hazard since the consumer doesn't know what the ingedients to what he's buying.

But Milton shrewdly argues the FDA is incompetent. Therefore, the potency wouldn't be on a box because Milton wants to get rid of the FDA. If I find the video, I'll send it to you. Give me some time...

[Rockynurse]

Just because the FDA is abolished it doesn't mean that there won't be industry standards or drug regulations. Your arguments are very weak.

[all028]

1. I never SAID the industry won't have standards or drug regulations. What I said is the instructions on prescription drugs today are dictated by the FDA which would be abolished. Therefore, a de facto standard would take its place which may or MAY NOT include instructions.

[Rockynurse]

You are making a straw man and a personal attack against Milton. This debate is about marijuana being legalized. I understand there are some things milton friedman thinks that may not be right but he is right on with his belief in the war on drugs.

His opinion on the FDA is by no means grounds for an argument against his opinions on legalization. They are 2 totally different things. You need to go back to school to learn that!

[all028]

dude, I'm not personally attacking Milton. I just have a difference of opinion.

As for the FDA, I KNOW they are 2 different things. But you don't understand the point...anyways, forget it. GOODBYE

[DickeyRogers]

lol, people make the choice if they want to take a drug or not, if a company sells poison they will get taken to court for murder. its in a company's interest to educate the people on how to take drugs and whats dangerous, they dont want their clients to die... they want to live and keep buyin durrr

[GnosticNinja]

All the alphabet soup agencies do is remove freedom and impose "rules" by the rulers.

A sensible Ron Paul advocates: "it should be the States right to decide how or what to do in their OWN state."

Fascist Dictatorship Agency (FDA) has an unspoken 'revolving door' policy to hire in Big Pharma & Chem Farm toxic poison corporate whores.

Trust that they are no help to humanity.

Aspartame anyone? lol

[MOMOS1979]

Watch the documentary "The Union: the business behind getting high"

Similar problem in Canada but not as extreme as the U.S.

[scwallac]

I am a huge jazz fan, but it is wildly complicated and totally unsuitable for use as a music bed under an interview. Amateur.

[WitchWindy]

I agree with others who complained about the music, jazz is not appreciated by most people and it very annoying to those of us who dislike it. I would rather no music at all than jazz. I refuse to eat in a restaurant or shop in a store that plays jazz, I'll just turn around and leave without buying or ordering anything. I don't like "country" either but I don't hate it so much I refuse to buy in a shop that plays it, rock music always make me enjoy shopping and eating more.

[mariposahd2]

my father died homeless related to his alcoholism. his father died of lung cancer associated with years of smoking tobacco. i choose to vaporize cannabis and not consume alcohol, big pharma, or smoke tobacco. i will live a long and healthy life and pay LOTS OF TAXES. GET OUT OF MY LIFE GOVERMENT. lets move forward as a NATION.

end the unjust & doomed to fail prohibition on cannabis and HEMP.

[PartVIII]

amen.

[TheDynamiteGuy]

Interesting term "Victimless Crime". According to our law there cannot be a crime without a victim, a witness to the supposed crime and signed affidavit from said witness of said crime. I smoke a joint in my own car or home, what crime have it committed? None, what I have just done does not violate anybody's rights, so how does this become a crime.

[DaveIrie]

Watch Run From the Cure

[GreatDylan420]

dont be tricked by the jazz music or that friedman is for pot this guy friedman is one of the most evil basterds to walk the earth in the past 100 years do some research or read a book by naomi klien called the shock doctrine

[forsland27]

you are very, very wrong.

[seandog1234]

Wrong!

[orlean2000]

Guns kills around 10,000 Americans a year. Why won't the US Gov't ban guns for that reason? Causes people have the right to use guns responsible. You only get arrest if you assault people and property. Just like you have the right to get drunk and won't get arrested unless you get behind the wheel and/or assault people. Pot smokers want the same rights as alcoholics and gun owners.

[oldschoolemo93]

are you saying guns should be illegal?

[undisputed72]

no, he's saying that the same laws that apply to alcohol, and firearms, should be extended to marijuana. just like it's legal, to purchase,own, even fire a gun in a controlled environment(gun range, hunting grounds). just like it's legal to purchase, and consume alcohol. As long as you don't break the law such as killing an innocent, or driving drunk, it's all good. similar laws can apply to weed

[blueshade26]

@orlean2000

right on man.

[KingAbu29]

@orlean2000 Well said, sir!

All those who are old enough to vote, VOTE LIBERTARIAN!

Ron Paul 2012!

We need serious reform in this country, the government has had its nose in our business for too long.

And now they want internet regulations????

That is seriously low...

and this is coming from an ex-marine.

[TheGreatDeciever55]

@orlean2000 public drunkedness is a crime as well as underage drinking---> the governement still restricts both gun use and alcohol use beyond our rights---i want better rights then them for Pot

[fernandoluna51]

Its the right to life that implies the freedom to use marijuana. A right implies the freedom to chose to live or die. If one is not free to chose then life is not a right. This means that we have the right to chose whether to live or die. But governments don't recognize this right. But if we do have a right to live or die then that would imply that i had the right to eat or smoke whatever I wanted, regardless if it were good or bad for me.

[kizedret]

worst background music EVER!!! mostly because it's just way too loud.

[boeing82]

Amen!

[jeffmagic32]

I take it you don't like jazz

[rabbitmoustache]

↑

I'm pretty sure this rabbit was high when he did he was kidnapped...

[mer1144]

Legalize it for gods sake, you are never going to win the war on drugs NEVER. Alcohol is much worse than marijuana,  MUCH WORSE. Do your research. I know plenty of yuppies that smoke and do NOTHING else.

[mekanik187]

i smoke and work and nothing else

[mcalien24]

hes incorrect on one point...

the prison industrial complex also benifits from marijuana prohibition.

[mcalien24]

**not incorrect just incomplete

[tristramshandy3]

you suck dude! thelonious monk was a GOD!! get some taste :)

[stevenbiot]

Some of the most athletic and successful people in America have smoked pot in the past. Presidents Bush and Obama, countless sports stars, writers, film-makers, Watson and Crick, have all indulged in a substance that is claimed to make you lazy. This is a lazy claim when you think of all the athletes using marijuana. Milton is the "Don" of capitalism, so I must say that he is right on in his argument that, "there is a willing seller and a willing buyer." Tax it and shut up.

[allmanjoy]

why does this not get aired on tv so all the religious right can see it?

[PartVIII]

so how about you go and eat a dick?

[PartVIII]

Xquisit19 -> "Fuckin' Idiot... anyways the point of prohibition is to deter use and defeat organized crime dumbshit."

Prohibition funds organized crime. Where do you think all of the gangs get their money? selling drugs.

No illegal market, No money

And prohibition actually increases use. It is easier as a teen to get marijuana than alcohol because people at liqour shops card. I've never met a drug dealer whose asked for ID.

If prohibition ceased, so would all organized crime.

[BelieveIt1051]

Well the video was put together by potheads, what else would you expect?

[stevenbiot]

Milton speaks! Don't use banal terms to prove your point that doesn't exist. Why is alcohol legal and pot not?

[tristramshandy3]

alcohol is legal and pot is not for two reasons: 1. entrenched money interest (big pharma, alcohol lobby) 2. control

as far as control: alcoholics and drunks are RARELY inspired to independent thought and are generally no threat to power. Pot heads DO think critically, pot smokers ARE more likely to challenge authority.

The opening scene to the film "pineapple express" actually covers this pretty well. It's a great scene!!!

[SCIENCEWORKS2]

but Alcohol IS a Drug like it or not ! hemp cures cancer and alcohol can give you cancer as well as a host of bad things in fact i don't have the space to tell you all the bad things alcohol can do to a person , while this country stays in the red we can change all that in a second .

[stevenbiot]

Where is the evidence that hemp cures cancer. Don't get me wrong; I believe in the medicinal qualities of this wonderful plant. This is completely an improper regulation that is a debauchery of our Constitutional rights.

[BelieveIt1051]

Prohibition was a complete success. The only reason it was legalized is because the government wanted to make a profit on it through taxation.

And if you are imagining reaming me, a guy, a new hole then I guess that makes you a faggot.

[SCIENCEWORKS2]

i'll buy that......

[truthtopower80]

Explain to me how prohibition was a complete success? What by creating a black market in booze and more crime?

[BelieveIt1051]

ht tp://query.nytimes.c om/gst/fullpage.h tml?res=950DE1DA143FF935A25753­C1A96F948260

[BelieveIt1051]

This is the one issue that I have found so far where Milton Friedman was completely and utterly wrong. Weed prohibition is a victimless crime? I assume he was having a senior moment and meant weed sale and use was a victimless crime, but even in that case he is wrong. A willing buyer and a willing seller? So what? The buyer is still a victim of the drug, as are those related to the person by kinship or friendship. Friedman contradicted quite a few economic principals when he took this position.

[GnosticNinja]

Yeah Morecheeba would be more fitting. Milton F. is a hero for speaking truth to power. He is stating the obvious and this should be taught to your children to counter the Public Fool System mind control / lie factory.

[threenike]

very poor decision with the music

[grimshawr]

The other important difference between alcohol and marijuana prohibition is the myriad uses of the cannabis plant. If we legalized it and regulated its sale, we could use 100% of the plant for more cost-effective and better products. hemp fiber, medicinal purposes, recreational use, etc. Marijuana could be BIG business!

[fatbabymaple]

100% agree

[BelieveIt1051]

That's incorrect. Or at least, not completely correct. Marijuana doesn't have to be legalized in order for hemp to be legalized. All they have to do is create a law that makes any plant with a THC amount higher than hemp illegal. That way we can grow hemp and use it for its many benefits AND keep the drug THC illegal. Weed could be big business, but what is the price of our society's well being and our souls? I don't want another hippie era in America. That would kill us. Believe it!

[segx]

@ Believeit1051: you completely missed the debate...

[TerrierBram]

Shut off the freaking muzak, I can hardly hear the man.

[tristramshandy3]

fuck you!! jazz is america's greatest product!!! thelonious monk, whose song you are hearing, was a god. get some fucking taste! what do you listen to ? hip-hop or metal? ughh

[TerrierBram]

Why don't you compare and think before you speak. If you want to know where my musical adventure is heading for check out my channel's favourites. I just get irritated with this music over business out of the US. Like there is no other way people can keep their attention for more than two micro seconds over there.

Maybe there also people that want to hear this, without peeptootbla.

[tristramshandy3]

hey, if I thought before I spoke, I wouldn't be an American, now would I?

I apologize for yelling at you. There's no need for such hostility :)

[TerrierBram]

Well, in the moment now we have feelings to compare, we have ratio to figure out in what kind intention we might stand in the future.

Emotions for now, intentions for the future.

Apologizes accepted.

[classicgamerguy112]

Sooooooooooooooooooo... ummmmmmmm... Why is it illegal? Is there somthing im not aware of? Maybe Some flawless reason why its not legal?

[TimeWarp66]

He was actually 94 when he died.

[SourAlex85]

thelonious monk's epistrophy

milton friedman

marijuana

3 things i never thought i'd expeience in one video!

[6thCreated]

I know why he supports legalizing pot...he's REALLY smart. Go figure.

[kungkuno]

very good speech.

[naturallyselected69]

Prohibition is a religious idea ("sin"). Real crimes have victims. Victimless crimes are not crimes.

[Treadsoftly14]

smoke weed.

[Strawdog44]

This man talks complete sense from start to finish - no one should be outlawed from doing what the want to themselves so long as they do not harm anyone else in doing so.

[coyboy2012]

Idk wtf you guys r talking about but i just bot a 5 1/2 foot bong and it would be awesome to sit on my front porch and take a few bingers to brighten up my day. But because of this worthless country and its insainly useless drug laws i am forsed to smoke indoors...Now that is somthing to get worked up about! I do not think I am doing anything wrong. Leagalize me up!

[jaredballanger]

really..i live in iowa...in a neibor hood and i smoke out on my deck all the time...i dont care if people see me

[thom87ass]

YES!!

[rocaho001]

you cant spell legalize bro. must be the marijuana

[Spaceous]

Thanks Milton for re-stating the obvious to the oblivious! The gov't has no right to tell us what we should and should not do. And of course pot does no harm to adults. However, i do think it should not be available to under 18's.... like alcohol...even though it is less dangerous. You still have to be able to manage the effects.

[t0nt01982]

Milton Friedman is my hero. Libertarians UNITE!

[romphh]

The state should not allow drugs to the masses because it not only effects the person taking it, but it fukks me over too when that dope fiend goes on a killing spree or carjacks me. Except the killa the best most harmless thing eva.

[stealthswimmer]

they only do that cus it costs so much to get their stuff...and it only costs so much cus it's illegal. Legalizing it would mean the profits would be like a rug that would be pulled out from right under the feet of the black market. People would more easily be able to go to rehab and treated as patients instead of criminals.

[rocaho001]

yea theres only one problem fag. how will normal people deal with these fucking addicts. This dope fiend chick got hired for work at my jewelry store. In a couple days she came all fucked up and talking 10 words per second. wtf are you gonna do then. ever been around an addict. that shit needs to be illegal fuckface. it harms health.

[stealthswimmer]

U mad?

=P

Actually it doesn't matter if it harms health. Alcohol and tobacco do too but those are legal. We saw what prohibition did, it made things worse. By making them illegal you ensure that the're obtained dangerously and that people commit crimes to get them.

Also, at the very least marijuana should be legal cus it's not that dangerous.

As well, just cus it's legal doesn't mean that employers couldn't fire someone who showed up to work high.

[bigfootisreal]

It has been shown in Amsterdam that when marijuana is legalized, use of marijuana AND use of other harder drugs DECREASE. And contrary to your belief, marijuana is MUCH LESS harmful than alcohol and tobacco. there are not gonna be 10's of millions of heroin addicts and crack addicts running around the country if drugs are legalized like you think. Also it would be easier for people to get help for their addictions if drugs are legal because you won't have to admit you are a criminal to get help.

[dystopicbliss]

rocaho001, that is a weak argument, if she was drunk when she came in she would've been just as useless, but alcohol is legal, so wtf would we do then if marijuana was legal and this "dope fiend" came in all fucked up to work?, we would still fire her because company policy would state that although it is legal you would have to refrain from being under its influence during your shift, only marijuana stands a chance to be legalized anyway, you do realize you're and idiot, right?

[6thCreated]

I hope your post is a joke.

[TainaAtheist1]

Wouldn't it be neat if all our various pro-marijuana movements would join together and create a public television station with programs such as this one with Milton Friedman? Just to mention a few who could join forces:

NORMAL

MAP - Media Awareness Project

CAN - Cannabis Action Network

LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

CCC - Cannabis Consumer Campaign

DPA - Drug Policy Alliance

Change the Climate

Can you think of anymore that should go on this list?

[skyedancr]

Leaf is good for your list as is americans for safe access. Ill let you know if I think of more, Iam behind you in this idea, if we can get the BIG EGOS under control, we the people can right this wrong.

[BuelahMan]

There are many of Mr Friedman's ideas that I disagree with and I believe have caused our country great harm.

But on this subject, he is dead on.

[txballoonman]

It sounds like you believe the govt. is capable of doing some things well. I'm curious what those things are. I do not see anything they do well, which would include efficiently, and with great benefit to the people. It seems to me that the govt. is good at destroying, hurting and killing, but even with those things, they spend too much money in the process. I'm not from MO., but please, show me what they do well.

[BuelahMan]

Perhaps you are way too far out in left field. Come closer, I only hit a little grounder.

I agree with Milton that marijuana should be legalized. wtf are you talking about?

[txballoonman]

I was wondering which ideas of his have caused great harm.

[txballoonman]

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass. I have an open mind on Friedman, but everything I've seen and read of him so far looks brilliant and would help society if they were exercised. Since there hasn't been a free market in the US since the late 19th century, it doesn't look like he convinced enough people the free market can work again.

[BuelahMan]

The 'free market' system cannot work, because the system is based on a flawed monetary system (and other reasons).

The only thing that Free Trade has done has made the rich much richer, the workers work harder for less money and comfort and the poorest sicker and poorer than ever.

There is no trickle-down theory that will work, for the rich don't trickle.

We are now experiencing the demise of the middle class because of the corporatization of America.

I sure don't think we need MORE of it.

[leveraithan]

"The only thing that Free Trade has done has made the rich much richer, the workers work harder for less money and comfort and the poorest sicker and poorer than ever."

You seem to be operating on a heavily distorted world view, my friend. The middle-class is wealthier and larger than ever, and not just America's but the world's.

This strikes me as being provincial, economically illiterate nonsense, frankly. Prove me wrong.

[BuelahMan]

My entire business is based off of calling on manufacturing and those builders who integrate components and systems for manufacturing.

Business is off in so many sectors it is pitiful and embarrassing that you would feign ignorance about it.

To say the free trade hasn't devastated the middle class in America is idiotic and worth no more discussion. You must be a banker or insurance agent.

(Pearls before swine thingy).

Good day.

[stealthswimmer]

uh...no. On the whole, the middle and lower class in America have a greater standard of living and has only recently begun to decline because of inflation. I doubt you really know what free trade is. Also consider that many "free trade" agreements in politics are managed trade but are under the banner of the "free trade" name to confuse the masses. The free market works because it subscribes to voluntary action and acknowledges that individuals can help themselves much better than government can

[BuelahMan]

"On the whole, the middle and lower class in America have a greater standard of living and has only recently begun to decline because of inflation."

The stupidest thing written on this thread. You must be John McCain with 7 homes to think such an idiotic thing.

WTF is wrong with you ppl?

[stealthswimmer]

BuelahMan, nope I come from a formerly poor family. The US offers lots of opportunities to pull yourself up though. After much procrastination (though some of it was simply taking time to save money), my dad went back to school is now a nurse (LVN) and our standard of living has greatly increased. Though we HAVE gone through hard times. When we were, there still were places to get food and such cheaply like the ramen noodles like 10 for a dollar, lol. Recently inflation has raised prices though.

[leveraithan]

Such as?