And I respect their opinions. So let me lay out what I believe I heard, and alongside lay out some thoughts of my own. First, I sensed an assumption that free global markets are evil. Freedom to exchange words, goods or gifts doesn't need justification. Blocking free markets amounts to a breach of freedom.
Trade creates jobs.
At UPS, for example, a job is created for every 30 packages imported to the United States. And it's likely a union job. I also sensed in Seattle a basic misunderstanding of what motivates business. Take for instance the protester who explained to reporters that the WTO conspires against consumers - like the Big Three in Detroit conspired with oil companies to suppress a new carburetor that would let cars get 100 miles per gallon. There's not much time for conspiracies these days.