Free trade idiocy.

Editor,

Prior to the 1970's the United States was the most protectionist economy in history. That is how our country became so powerful.

Then this Hayek, Friedman neoliberal nonsense smothered all economic reason in this country, and even now, after "free markets" have brought the world economy to its knees, every few weeks the NYT runs yet another goofy editorial in defense of "free trade".

Someone on your editorial board needs to read David Harvey or Ha-Joon Chang, or even Naomi Klein or Antonia Juhasz. Please. Join the rest of the human race and give up this Augusto Pinochet, Reza Pahlavi idiocy. You will be better for it.

re: "Mr. Obama’s Trade Agenda" (3/11/2009)