I Me Mine

“By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president.

“The sign of broadening resistance to globalization came in a new Wall Street Journal-NBC News Poll… Six in 10 Republicans in the poll agreed with a statement that free trade has been bad for the U.S. and said they would agree with a Republican candidate who favored tougher regulations to limit foreign imports…

“The new poll… posed two statements to voters. The first was, ‘Foreign trade has been good for the U.S. economy, because demand for U.S. products abroad has resulted in economic growth and jobs for Americans here at home and provided more choices for consumers.’

“The second was, ‘Foreign trade has been bad for the U.S. economy, because imports from abroad have reduced demand for American-made goods, cost jobs here at home, and produced potentially unsafe products.’

“Asked which statement came closer to their own view, 59% of Republicans named the second statement, while 32% pointed to the first…

“Julie Kowal, 40 years old, who works in a medical lab and is raising five children in Omaha, Neb., said she worries that Midwestern producers face obstacles selling beef and autos abroad. ‘We give a lot more than we get.’ she said."

(“Republicans Grow Skeptical On Free Trade.” John Harwood. Wall Street Journal: October 4, 2007. pg. A.1)

EGO-CENTRIC or holistic? Short-term or long-term? Particulars or principles? What drives your view?