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Don't defend Capitalism? My good sir, you've just correctly pointed out how it can build an entire country up out of nothing! In the long run, I don't think there is any question whatsoever that a free economy is incredibly beneficial for the people in it. That sort of idea could use some defending!
There is a ton of historical economic evidence that trade is always good for both partners. Look at NAFTA, for instance. On the US side it was followed by the longest growth period ever, including the lowest unemployment in thirty years; on Mexico's side, massive cities are emerging on the border, with things they've not had before, like electricity and running water.
Maybe one of our resident Canucks can tell us how the great white north has benefitted, or at least, what portion of benefit is left after paying the many different taxes on it.
And labor is just one more thing to trade.
The problems all come in the short run. Of course, in the long run, we're all dead, so our woes in the present are what interest us. A free economy will cough up injustices and weird temporary economic conditions that throw people for a loop. These conditions are like the weather: arbitrary, unpredictable, and so huge as to be uncontrollable. But the people demand that we attempt to control them, and so "economic stimulus packages" come about. The effect of which is roughly like farting in a tornado.
In the end, I suppose the right thing to say is "Capitalism sucks. It just sucks less than everything else that's come along so far."
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