| The American Protectionist Society |
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| DEFINITION: |
PROTECTIONISM; The proper use of government power to:
(1) protect the nation from any unfair, institutional foreign interference in the peaceful
voluntary cooperation in the division of labor of its citizens; (2) establish taxes on
foreign importation as a system of providing a major source of revenue for the general
operating expenses of the national government.
(Derived from the laws of free market economics.)
(1) protect the nation from any unfair, institutional foreign interference in the peaceful
voluntary cooperation in the division of labor of its citizens; (2) establish taxes on
foreign importation as a system of providing a major source of revenue for the general
operating expenses of the national government.
(Derived from the laws of free market economics.)
By Tom Greenlee, Founder of the American Protectionist,
The first thing you will quickly discover, is that the American Protectionist is a totally unique organization.
Unique, because we recognize that free trade contradicts the "Primary Truths and First Principles" upon which our
nation was founded. The Principles which will ultimately determine whether this "One Nation Under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all, can long endure upon the face of the earth".
Unique, because we recognize the truth that, the ultimate goal of this internationalist philosophy has always been the
creation of one integrated, interdependent, world system. A world united by free trade into a "global market".
Unique, because we know that the general philosophy of free trade can never succeed as long as the United States
remains an independent nation, united under God, in an indissoluble national economic union.
Unique, because we recognize the truth that this internationalist philosophy, has always advocated the practice of free
trade. Knowing full well that by its very definition, it will be the means used to redistribute the vast quantity of capital
invested in American worker jobs by al of our fathers and grandfathers. Capital investment which brought about a
standard of living for the average American that towered above, and was the envy of the whole world. The general
philosophy that underlies free trade will also be the means to transfer the allegiance American citizens have for our
national union, defense, and mutual economic interdependence with their fellow Americans, to an ecumenical,
indissoluble union of the peoples of the world." (Frederick Bastiat in France, writing to Richard Cobden of the free
trade Manchester School in England toward the end of the 1840s).
Unique, because we recognize that, to the representatives of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, it was: "an
acknowledged object of the convention and the universal expectation of the people that the regulation of
trade should be submitted to the general government in such a form as would render it an immediate form of
general revenue" (Federalist #40, James Madison), the philosophy and theory of free trade to the contrary no
withstanding! Thus we have the first example in the history of human civilization of the new economic theory of
Protectionism. The political, and economic system envisioned by the founders that would be the least oppressive to the
liberty and freedom of the citizens of the country, while remaining completely compatible with the philosophy expressed in
the "Declaration of Independence"
Unique, because we recognize it was the system of protectionism that was intended by James Madison, the "Father of the
Constitution", when he introduced the "Tariff Act of 1789", as the very first law on the books of the new United States
Government, upon the ratification of the Constitution. And not only Madison, but George Washington also, the "Father
of Our Country", who enthusiastically endorsed the "Tariff Act", significantly enough, signing this Act into law on July 4th,
1789. It is also of major importance to note that James Madison inserted into the preamble of this first law, the statement
that tariffs or the taxing of products into the United States was" For the encouragement and protection of
manufacturers", thus, forever establishing both the intent and legitimacy of taxing imported products. The philosophy of
free trade to the contrary, again, notwithstanding.
It is obvious, therefore, that our organization has no similarity to other organizations, euphemistically designated as
Conservative. Free trade has always been the foundation cornerstone of "Liberalism". It is logically impossible to claim
political and social conservatism, while advocating the liberal philosophy of free trade as the means to accomplish those
conservative goals. This is the fallacy in which talk show hosts, conservative organizations, conservative leaders, and the
National political parties are caught up.
The papers and statements written by The American Protectionist on the other hand, will take you back into the economic
history of our nation. We will make note of the actual statements, arguments and documents of the men who were
responsible for creating these United States of America. Men, whom Abraham Lincoln (while engaged in our bloody
Civil War, being fought against free trade to preserve the Union) referred to in his "Gettysburg Address" as: "Our fathers
who brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are
created equal."
This dedication to the understanding of our own American economic heritage, would by itself, be reason enough for the
claim of the uniqueness of our organization. The compelling difference, that sets us apart from all others, is the fact that
we will also quote the statements, arguments and documents of those who are internationally recognized as the creators
and most eminent teaches of free trade. We will critically analyze this philosophy from the laws of economic science, the
historical record and from logic. When this comparison is contrasted with our own American philosophy, we are
convinced it will immediately become obvious to any sincere American with eyes to see and ears to hear, that the two
systems are diametrically opposed to each other. So different are they, that they are not compatible one with another,
neither can they be. The American philosophy of protectionism says: "come out from among them and be ye separate".
The free trade philosophy says "let the world gather together as one, with one speech and one language, then nothing will
be restrained from us that we determine in our minds to do".
That these United States are one people, and as one people we are, and of right ought to be free and independent, is the
truth stated in our Declaration of Independence. Based upon the self evident truth that: "all men are created equal and
endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness;" are the reasons given. The Declaration itself begins in the first paragraph: "When in the course of human
events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to
another...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel
them to the separation." And then in the last paragraph Jefferson concludes: "We therefore, the representatives of
the United States in congress assembled...in the name and by the authority of the good people of these
colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and
independent states...and to the accomplishment of these goals we dedicate our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor."
This is the most clearly and beautifully written piece of prose that can be found in the English language, as it sets forth the
principle of independent national self determination. As long as the philosophy of the United States is founded upon the
self evident truths of our Declaration, that is how long the United States must practice the philosophy of protectionism.
For there is no other means revealed to the minds of man to accomplish the goals for which our founders did indeed pay
for this sacrifice with their lives, fortune, and their sacred honor. Oh, that our nation at this time had such patriotic
statesmen. How pale and insignificant is the hedonistic, selfish, self preserving philosophy of free trade in comparison.
It is the function of the economic system in a society to be the nexus, or bonding agent that unites the diverse interests of
all the of individual members of a nation into a single social system. It is the function of protectionism to prevent any
interference, whether foreign or domestic, in the formation of fragile wage and price structure of the nation. It is also the
function of protectionism to preserve the sovereign independence of the nation. The single economic means best suited to
both preserve the independence of a nation and to be a system of revenue to the government, is the tariff, i.e., taxes levied
upon good imported into the United States.
It is vitally important to understand that the Preamble to our Constitution sets forth six goals that we as a nation desire to
accomplish. All six of these goals can only be properly accomplished as a result of a protectionist philosophy:
(1) In order to form a more perfect union.
(2) Establish justice.
(3) Insure domestic tranquility
(4) Provide for the common defense.
(5) Promote the general welfare.
(6) Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
These then, are the real questions that are involved in the contradiction between free trade and protectionism. These are
the issues that must be addressed in any discussion on the subject. These are the issues addressed by the "American
Protectionist".
So, what then is the American Protectionist?....It is an organization, that is proud of, and advocates the authentic
American political and economic system of:
The first thing you will quickly discover, is that the American Protectionist is a totally unique organization.
Unique, because we recognize that free trade contradicts the "Primary Truths and First Principles" upon which our
nation was founded. The Principles which will ultimately determine whether this "One Nation Under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all, can long endure upon the face of the earth".
Unique, because we recognize the truth that, the ultimate goal of this internationalist philosophy has always been the
creation of one integrated, interdependent, world system. A world united by free trade into a "global market".
Unique, because we know that the general philosophy of free trade can never succeed as long as the United States
remains an independent nation, united under God, in an indissoluble national economic union.
Unique, because we recognize the truth that this internationalist philosophy, has always advocated the practice of free
trade. Knowing full well that by its very definition, it will be the means used to redistribute the vast quantity of capital
invested in American worker jobs by al of our fathers and grandfathers. Capital investment which brought about a
standard of living for the average American that towered above, and was the envy of the whole world. The general
philosophy that underlies free trade will also be the means to transfer the allegiance American citizens have for our
national union, defense, and mutual economic interdependence with their fellow Americans, to an ecumenical,
indissoluble union of the peoples of the world." (Frederick Bastiat in France, writing to Richard Cobden of the free
trade Manchester School in England toward the end of the 1840s).
Unique, because we recognize that, to the representatives of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, it was: "an
acknowledged object of the convention and the universal expectation of the people that the regulation of
trade should be submitted to the general government in such a form as would render it an immediate form of
general revenue" (Federalist #40, James Madison), the philosophy and theory of free trade to the contrary no
withstanding! Thus we have the first example in the history of human civilization of the new economic theory of
Protectionism. The political, and economic system envisioned by the founders that would be the least oppressive to the
liberty and freedom of the citizens of the country, while remaining completely compatible with the philosophy expressed in
the "Declaration of Independence"
Unique, because we recognize it was the system of protectionism that was intended by James Madison, the "Father of the
Constitution", when he introduced the "Tariff Act of 1789", as the very first law on the books of the new United States
Government, upon the ratification of the Constitution. And not only Madison, but George Washington also, the "Father
of Our Country", who enthusiastically endorsed the "Tariff Act", significantly enough, signing this Act into law on July 4th,
1789. It is also of major importance to note that James Madison inserted into the preamble of this first law, the statement
that tariffs or the taxing of products into the United States was" For the encouragement and protection of
manufacturers", thus, forever establishing both the intent and legitimacy of taxing imported products. The philosophy of
free trade to the contrary, again, notwithstanding.
It is obvious, therefore, that our organization has no similarity to other organizations, euphemistically designated as
Conservative. Free trade has always been the foundation cornerstone of "Liberalism". It is logically impossible to claim
political and social conservatism, while advocating the liberal philosophy of free trade as the means to accomplish those
conservative goals. This is the fallacy in which talk show hosts, conservative organizations, conservative leaders, and the
National political parties are caught up.
The papers and statements written by The American Protectionist on the other hand, will take you back into the economic
history of our nation. We will make note of the actual statements, arguments and documents of the men who were
responsible for creating these United States of America. Men, whom Abraham Lincoln (while engaged in our bloody
Civil War, being fought against free trade to preserve the Union) referred to in his "Gettysburg Address" as: "Our fathers
who brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are
created equal."
This dedication to the understanding of our own American economic heritage, would by itself, be reason enough for the
claim of the uniqueness of our organization. The compelling difference, that sets us apart from all others, is the fact that
we will also quote the statements, arguments and documents of those who are internationally recognized as the creators
and most eminent teaches of free trade. We will critically analyze this philosophy from the laws of economic science, the
historical record and from logic. When this comparison is contrasted with our own American philosophy, we are
convinced it will immediately become obvious to any sincere American with eyes to see and ears to hear, that the two
systems are diametrically opposed to each other. So different are they, that they are not compatible one with another,
neither can they be. The American philosophy of protectionism says: "come out from among them and be ye separate".
The free trade philosophy says "let the world gather together as one, with one speech and one language, then nothing will
be restrained from us that we determine in our minds to do".
That these United States are one people, and as one people we are, and of right ought to be free and independent, is the
truth stated in our Declaration of Independence. Based upon the self evident truth that: "all men are created equal and
endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness;" are the reasons given. The Declaration itself begins in the first paragraph: "When in the course of human
events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to
another...a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that impel
them to the separation." And then in the last paragraph Jefferson concludes: "We therefore, the representatives of
the United States in congress assembled...in the name and by the authority of the good people of these
colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and
independent states...and to the accomplishment of these goals we dedicate our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor."
This is the most clearly and beautifully written piece of prose that can be found in the English language, as it sets forth the
principle of independent national self determination. As long as the philosophy of the United States is founded upon the
self evident truths of our Declaration, that is how long the United States must practice the philosophy of protectionism.
For there is no other means revealed to the minds of man to accomplish the goals for which our founders did indeed pay
for this sacrifice with their lives, fortune, and their sacred honor. Oh, that our nation at this time had such patriotic
statesmen. How pale and insignificant is the hedonistic, selfish, self preserving philosophy of free trade in comparison.
It is the function of the economic system in a society to be the nexus, or bonding agent that unites the diverse interests of
all the of individual members of a nation into a single social system. It is the function of protectionism to prevent any
interference, whether foreign or domestic, in the formation of fragile wage and price structure of the nation. It is also the
function of protectionism to preserve the sovereign independence of the nation. The single economic means best suited to
both preserve the independence of a nation and to be a system of revenue to the government, is the tariff, i.e., taxes levied
upon good imported into the United States.
It is vitally important to understand that the Preamble to our Constitution sets forth six goals that we as a nation desire to
accomplish. All six of these goals can only be properly accomplished as a result of a protectionist philosophy:
(1) In order to form a more perfect union.
(2) Establish justice.
(3) Insure domestic tranquility
(4) Provide for the common defense.
(5) Promote the general welfare.
(6) Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
These then, are the real questions that are involved in the contradiction between free trade and protectionism. These are
the issues that must be addressed in any discussion on the subject. These are the issues addressed by the "American
Protectionist".
So, what then is the American Protectionist?....It is an organization, that is proud of, and advocates the authentic
American political and economic system of:
| American Protectionism |
Questions or Comments?
Contact the Executive Director, Wayne Bereman at wayne@americanprotectionist.com
Contact the Executive Director, Wayne Bereman at wayne@americanprotectionist.com