Tire tariffs prompt defense of protectionism

Dave Johnson of the Campaign for America's Future has some informative insights into the predictable backlash to the Obama administration's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese tires. He spends a few paragraphs detailing a practice I've noted before as well, treating the term "protectionist" as a pejorative without reason or explanation.

Johnson goes on to offer a spirited defense of protectionism and critique of "free trade," noting, "the result of 'free trade' is a downward spiral of wages, benefits, worker protection and environmental standards as countries race to the bottom in competition." Johnson balances his remarks on protectionism by observing that fair compensation and oversight of safety practices for workforces are not only fair but lead to consumers financially secure enough to spend.