General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: For our isolationistic nationalism loving DU'ers who want the world to be a bigger place [View all]pampango
(24,692 posts)is not that they restrict imports, it is that they impose high and progressive taxes on themselves and use the proceeds to provide strong social safety nets, effective national health care and tighter regulation of corporations. They also make sure that strong unions are supported legally.
All of this allows progressive countries to trade more than we do and to do it successfully. OTOH, we have low, regressive taxes and use the relatively meager funds for things other than a strong social safety net, an ineffective (to be kind) health care system and loose regulation of corporations. And we provide little support for unions.
But we do blame foreigners (particularly the poor ones) for most of our problems (even though we trade - and import - less than any other country this side of North Korea).