I have to say that I am impressed with Senator McCain's boldness in talking about the benefits of free trade in Youngstown, Ohio today. It's about time someone defended trade as a way to encourage economic growth and higher standards of living. Liberals like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been pandering to voters in the area and promising to re-negotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. It's good to see McCain stand on principle and for good public policy, despite its lack of popularity. The unions tend to have a very provincial and selfish view of trade policy, saying that it hurts them and the industries that they control. But they refuse to admit their actions artificially inflate the price of labour. This, coupled with higher demands for benefits, drives jobs out of the areas where unions are strong. I'm not sure how McCain's message of free trade will be received in Northeast Ohio, but it's good to see him deliver the message....[MORE]