Happy days are here again, say enthusiasts of the Democratic takeover of Congress. But the days may not be so happy for job seekers, businesses and consumers in this country, or desperate millions in Third World countries, if some of the protectionist, subsidy-happy Election Day victors get their way.

A party that once proudly boosted free trade has turned skeptical and worse as dozens of its candidates have sought votes with popular trade-bashing pledges that, if enacted, would dent our prosperity, create friction with other lands and even promote death among the poorest on this planet.