…Only by following the example of autocratic China by “doubling down” on export credit assistance can we hope to keep up. Apparently, we must face the fact that America’s glory days as an economic role model for the rest of the world—living proof of the immense benefits of free markets—are now behind us.” James Liddel, Washington, Letters to the Editor of The Wall Street Journal, October 31, 2015

Opinion Letters

Free Markets, but With a Government Assist

The authors evidently believe that America is no longer capable of competing globally without government subsidies.

Republican politicians like to talk about American exceptionalism and the virtues of the free market. Yet by calling for the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, Sen. Mark Kirk and Rep. Stephen Fincher demonstrate that these purported ideals are frequently no more than hollow platitudes (“Reform the Ex-Im Bank and Bring It Back,” Letters, Oct. 26).

The authors evidently believe that America is no longer capable of competing globally without government subsidies. Only by following the example of autocratic China by “doubling down” on export credit assistance can we hope to keep up. Apparently, we must face the fact that America’s glory days as an economic role model for the rest of the world—living proof of the immense benefits of free markets—are now behind us.

Sen. Kirk and Rep. Fincher’s endorsement of the beggar-thy-neighbor mercantilism practiced by Communist China is inconsistent with the GOP’s professed faith in American exceptionalism and free markets.

James Liddell

Washington