Oh Oregano
You slay me. You are obviously one of these socialists that thinks that all nations should be independent and handle all of their own commodities as well as there own problems. First and foremost, I believe that if you weren't fighting a war in the middle east you would be fighting it on American soil. If the mexicans and drugs can sneak across your borders so can the terrorists.
Now for a lesson in economics. You obviously need to be dragged into the 21st century. You're only about 200 years behind. First, you are not self sufficient in your country in very many things. You are dealing in a global economy. Putting artificial tariffs on free trade is not going to work. For example, the US government made a decision to try to protect American jobs by putting a tariff on imported steel. Other countries that were supplying the US quickly found other markets. How did that pan out for you. Steel prices are predicted to rise by 30%. Great for the steel producers but it substantially increases the costs to your manufacturing sector. The demand-price curve predicts that there will be layoffs in this sector due to the increased prices and therefore lower sales. This will affect construction and manufacturing primarily. Trickle down effects include an increase in the inflation rate and erosion of the average consumers spending power, which will in turn lower the average consumers' standard of living. On a more global scale, tariffs on the US part will usually generate retaliatory tariffs on the part of your trading partners. Less exports also equals less employment for the employees of the exporters. It is an ugly fact that most of the world is price sensitive and so if China or Mexico can produce it cheaper, that's where the money is going to go. Currently, Bush is trying to weaken the US dollar on the world market which will promote sales as your dollar and thus your products become less expensive to other countries. Any other fiscal policy such as Clinton's would see you losing jobs at a much quicker rate. The only solution is to do what you do well and do it cheaply. Anyway, if you want to know more open up any grade 10 economics text and read for awhile. I learned a long time ago that most people will defend their opinion even if they know they are wrong, but hopefully this makes you think.
Right is Right