Mercantilism and Nativism

[raderag]

Why do most Christians here seem to subscribe to Mercantilism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism)and Nativism, also known as paleo-conservatism?

[Tallen]

Can you give a couple of examples where we have done that?

[raderag]

Can you give a couple of examples where we have done that?

Hi There Ted,

I'm referring to the thread about the Presidential race where several of you where giving your platforms. These platforms included such ideas as restricting or eliminating free trade, immigration, etc. I'm seriously wondering why so many Christians come up with these conclusions.

[Joe S]

I'd like to know why this is a Christian matter. Is free trade Biblical?

[Tallen]

Hi There Ted,

I'm referring to the thread about the Presidential race where several of you where giving your platforms. These platforms included such ideas as restricting or eliminating free trade, immigration, etc. I'm seriously wondering why so many Christians come up with these conclusions.

Personally I get it from scripture and the example of Israel of the OT. Their economy was based on giving preference to their fellow countrymen and those that they were in covenant to and with. Free trade and free immigration is something that I see will pollute our country if we come to accept all cultures and peoples as "legitimate" and having an equal right. For instance, governments that kill Christians and cling to a foreign god and foreign customs will pollute our country if we allow free access and trade. I would much rather restrict these things, and accept folks that are "catechized" into our way of life and culture and will swear an oath to promote and preserve our founding ideals. The idea is that they will come under the Constitution and work to promote the American values and way of life and defend our boarders from invading philosophies and ideals that will harm that which they swear an oath to.

I see nothing wrong in that and hope it makes some sense. :BigB:

[Tallen]

I'd like to know why this is a Christian matter. Is free trade Biblical?

No, restricted trade and preserving the covenant of the land is though. :bigtup:

[raderag]

I'd like to know why this is a Christian matter. Is free trade Biblical?

Hi Joe,

I don't think it is necessarily a Christian matter except that many Christians on the right believe this way.

If free trade Biblical? Well, there are certainly examples in scripture of free trade. My point would be that the arguments against free trade are not sound economic arguments and are not Biblical in that they are more about greed and nationalism than anything else.

My own personal opinion is that those against free trade are that way because they don't understand capitalism. On the other hand, the left abhors free trade because they abhor capitalism.

[raderag]

Personally I get it from scripture and the example of Israel of the OT. Their economy was based on giving preference to their fellow countrymen and those that they were in covenant to and with. Free trade and free immigration is something that I see will pollute our country if we come to accept all cultures and peoples as "legitimate" and having an equal right. For instance, governments that kill Christians and cling to a foreign god and foreign customs will pollute our country if we allow free access and trade. I would much rather restrict these things, and accept folks that are "catechized" into our way of life and culture and will swear an oath to promote and preserve our founding ideals. The idea is that they will come under the Constitution and work to promote the American values and way of life and defend our boarders from invading philosophies and ideals that will harm that which they swear an oath to.

I see nothing wrong in that and hope it makes some sense. :BigB:

Thanks for answering Ted. Well, that is an interesting argument, but I certainly don't agree. Perhaps if we lived in a Christian nation, you would have something, but we are hardly that. I can agree in not trading with countries that are very egregious in their abuses of human rights. Besides our way of life has always been capitalism, which means free trade. That was the whole point of Adam Smith's book, "The Wealth of Nations". While there are many politicians that would agree with your views, there are almost no economists that accept the anti-trade logic. Its just been proven false.

As far as immigration, we sure don't want those Mexican polluting the pure culture of states such as California. It could get so bad, that the gay part of San Francisco is taken over by Mexican families.