Free Trade=Fairness? Protectionism=Cronyism?

What Tun Mahathir did in 1997 economic crisis has been technically copied by the US now in the latter's attempt to 'save & revitalize' its economy.

In 1998, the former was criticized from all four corners for the counter measures taken with strong words in both economic and political overtones. Currently, what do people say about US' initiatives in which the USD is devalued, interest rates brought low and extra liquidity pumped into the industries?

Do you anything similar in these two scenarios? Or indeed you saw a very different context altogether?

Visit the site below for some very thought-provoking comments:
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2008/04/07/flat-earthers-versus-bad-samaritans/#more-1134