What has promoting free trade done for the cities of the U.S.?

Question

The free trade policies that the McCain camp continue to promote have cost this country millions of jobs. It seems they have only helped China. Why would Republicans continue to support policies that are leading to the death of so many American cities?

http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/briefingpapers_bp147

http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/americas-fastest-dying-cities.html

Answer 1

Trade has made Seattle & Tacoma, counting the apples, all of Washington state very successful.

Answer 2

Free trade has also given us millions of jobs and provided us with low-cost goods, improving the quality of life of countless Americans. Not only that, but free trade benefits all parts of the world, especially the third world, allowing poorer countries to compete freely and fairly on the global market.

We're not "losing jobs." The market is shifting and certain jobs are being lost while others are being created. If you're looking at the market from only one perspective (blue collar jobs, perhaps), then I understand why you might incorrectly believe that we're losing more than we're gaining. But free trade really benefits everyone. It's the ONLY ethical trade policy. Government should stay out of business.

Answer 3

Free trade prevents wars.  That is the bottom line.