[maxerickson]

In your example of child labor, it's arguably better for everyone if Virginia can produce cheaper goods. (Please don't think I'm in any way arguing for child labor.)

So is it arguably better for everyone or should there be protections for the children (who are presumably part of "everyone")?

I think if you immediately include a disclaimer about the children you probably don't believe there is much of an argument to be made.

[subverter]

Child labor is complex subject that we should avoid getting into here. The reason I added my disclaimer is because my argument is about cheaper goods, not any particular way they happen to be produced.

[maxerickson]

The banality of saying that cheaper goods are good is impressive and doesn't have much to do with the argument rayiner was making.

[subverter]

Then perhaps I misunderstood his/her argument.

If I look at it strictly in terms of child labor, there's nothing stopping those opposed to child labor from leaving Virginia and/or discriminating against products made there. Just as we can today with products produced by brands that we know use child labor.