Free Trade = Money In Your Pocket
In 1957, my Grandfather, Frank Drigotas, owned a store in Lewiston Maine — Franks Store for Men.
His business — was hats
Things were going well — for a little while.
Then, on January 20, 1961 John F Kennedy went to his inauguration, and showed up without a hat.
Hats were suddenly out of style- and Franks Store for Men closed in 2 years.
Economies change — Decisions by presidents have unintended consequences. John F Kennedy didn’t wake up that morning and decide to kill the American hat business, and I genuinely don’t believe President Donald J Trump meant for his tariffs to hurt rural America — but they have.
Every time the government gets in the way of free trade — it is the most vulnerable among us who are hurt the most. The factory worker, the small businessman who has to close his doors, and ultimately, our families and neighbors. Hardworking people are being hurt by these purely political decisions. Tariffs and other protectionists policies are purely political, and written by politicians.
That means politicians deciding winners and losers. A bureaucrat determining your ability to be successful. On the other hand- Free trade helps drain the swamp. Free trade opens doors to new opportunities, lower prices, better jobs, better benefits, and more money in your pocket.
We don’t need another government policy that micromanages your life and creates a barrier to your options — we need Washington to get out of the way!
We all want stronger communities, right? Protectionist policies have negative consequences on those closest to us. These policies take money out of your pocket, and make your groceries more expensive.
Every single one of us has the ability to do something great, and free trade tears down the barriers that could stop us along the way.
Franks Store for Men closed a chapter in my grandfathers life, but opened up new opportunities, including a book, written about his time running the store. That is one of the best things about the free market, your next opportunity is limitless. Under protectionist policies, your options are limited to what Washington approves for you.
The American dream is being actively built by hardworking people every day. Lets embrace free trade, and build something great, together.
This article was also published on Liberty Rangers, a Medium Blog
This speech was delivered at the Great Communicators Challenge in Salt Lake City in 2019
