Sen. Sherrod Brown snarls at the notion that protectionist policies reduce freedom (Letters, March 18).  Let’s see.  If I want to buy a pair of pants from China, armed agents from U.S. Customs stop me from doing so unless I fork over to them a fee that Mr. Brown and his colleagues on Capitol Hill determine I should pay for the privilege of engaging in this voluntary transaction.

If I resist and try to buy my pants without paying the fee demanded by Uncle Sam’s armed goons, I will be imprisoned.  If I resist too adamantly, I will be shot dead.

For Mr. Brown to deny that protectionism infringes people’s freedom is disgraceful Orwellian newspeak.

Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux