Posted on 01/02/2011 9:14:39 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network
For far too long, American conservatives have become accustomed to "blaming" the destruction of American jobs (rightfully) on unions and lawyers.
It's all true, but while it's true - America is falling apart.
Blaming those who caused the problem won't prevent the destruction of our great nation.
That’s the problem. The behavior you’re changing is being the most economically efficient. This idea would make us the next Venezuela.
Nonsense!
Protectionism is always stupid.
Talk about a destructive idea. This idea only works if the assumption is made that American industry is ready to flip the switch and overnight, take the place of foreign imports. It isn’t. Even companies that manufacture in the US have heavy dependence on foreign supplies. This would increase the expenses drastically for these domestic businesses. It could take years for new domestic companies to come in and take the place of foreign manufacturers, and by that time, you would have greatly inflated costs to the point it would be potentially not worthwhile for a company to consider starting up.
In addition, there are more items than I can count that aren’t even allowed to be manufactured in the US due to EPA and other rules. A lot of batteries for example.
This idea has been tried in one form or other before (Smoot-Hawley for example) and has never worked. It is a feel-good idea only.
You are certifiable.
In 2011, with communications and transportation the way that it is, a 100% tariff would result in a world wide depression that would make 1929 look like boom years, and we wouldn't be immune.
What about the multi-billions that we owe to China, shall we just default and declare war on them?
It's good to know that a deep economic thinker like you says this would produce the opposite result of Smoot-Hawley.
The worst part of this whole vanity post, is that you are actually serious.
All China is doing is devaluing their currency, not avoiding free trade.
“You are certifiable.”
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Ah. The Soviet answer to dissent.
No, the result now would be exponentially worse because we don’t have the manufacturing infrastructure to take the place of the foreign and regulations make it extremely hard to start a new manufacturing business.
We would result in doubling the price of not only goods on the store shelves, but goods that domestic manufacturers need in their own production.
China structurally blocks, pirates then takes over all foreign technologies and manufacturing.
Wake up.
We are being rolled, on a scale never before seen in history.
I am in Kansas.
We export wheat.
We export airplanes.
Your stupid ideas will destroy us.
Because of the consumer base. Our demand exceeds our internal production so we bring it in from outside. China and India, for example, have far more people, but their average consumer spends a microscopic fraction of what US citizens do. A trade deficit isn't necessarily bad if it is because you have a strong consumer base. It makes the world dependent on you.
“We would result in doubling the price of not only goods on the store shelves, but goods that domestic manufacturers need in their own production.”
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Thus: Encouraging domestic sources of those supplies.
We can try the Kellog-Bryand Pact again too since we are going for feel good solutions.
“When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will.”
Frederic Bastiat
“A trade deficit isn’t necessarily bad if it is because you have a strong consumer base. It makes the world dependent on you. “
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Only until your money is gone...
See also: Gold Diggers.
So goods can cross borders.
No problem. Nobody’s proposing a blockade. I certainly am not.
Which, can't be done overnight nor with the rules and regulations we have. For example, if a company wanted to make cell phones in the US, she would still need to get various chips from overseas because using nickel and cadmium in manufacturing is highly restricted in the US (in some cases banned). During the time the US company builds itself to take the place of the foreign company, you would have years of doubling the prices of the products consumers buy. You would essentially shut down much US commerce. Even after a company can form itself, it still would have much higher expenses from the aforementioned chips it can't source domestically.
Now repeat this same issue across all manufacturing types and you see basically economic suicide.
Well.
We’re already committing economic suicide.
So why not a method, which will eventually improve our nation?
Including oil?
You think 100 % tarrif will not impact trade ? LOL
No exceptions.
See: camel’s nose, tent.
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