Oh wait… I’m sorry. It’s “economic patriotism.” Appears there are “economically patriotic” components to the stimulus package such as buying all steel from the US for any construction done. Economists and anyone who spends more than 10 minutes in their life thinking about the topic know that such protectionist behavior is inefficient. But this ass hat, Sherrod Brown, isn’t concerned with reality. He’s worried about pissing off union members. “If we are spending US taxpayers money it better be spent on American goods.”

Right. Because “economic patriotism” works so well for North Korea, Gaza, Palestine, Iran, Iraq of the 1980’s, etc. The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act and the “American System” were a smash hit. Because paying more for the same thing is good how? Why not just pay 1.5 times more for everything? So instead of getting more for our dollars we will get less and those employed in those fields continue to provide more wasteful goods and services? And the resulting artificial demand drop on foreign goods causes those people to loose jobs leaving those people with less money to invest in American products.

And lets not forget the bigotry inherent in the whole idea.

Protectionism destroys wealth. It does not grow it. It creates bubbles that will one day pop. This cycle of artificial growth and necessary correction will only go on for so long.

Thank you CNN for again pissing me off the second I walk into the office.