The Los Angeles Times takes a welcome stance in favor of free markets and against government subsidies. At least in the case of Airbus, which benefits from enormous low interest loans used to finance the development of new airliners intended to compete with Boeing, a major Los Angeles—area employer. Airbus will dip its toe into the free market and finally compete with U.S. rival Boeing on a level playing field — for now, anyway. The European aircraft maker announced Thursday that it would build its new A350, and to cool down a boiling trade dispute with the United States, it passed up more than $1 billion in government subsidies to develop the plane.The move is a tentative step, akin to a spoiled child passing up his weekly allowance. Before it launched the A350 program, Airbus lined up commitments from Britain, France, Germany and Spain to front a third of the plane's $5.7—billion development cost. That infuriated Washington, which doesn't offer such sweet...(Read Full Post)