FREE TRADE IS A BAD IDEA

Bob Lonsberry ^ | 11/25/2002 | Bob Lonsberry

[per loin]

Our federal tax structure amounts to a tariff on American made products. By doing away with income and social security taxes, and switching to external tariffs, we, as consumers, still bear the ultimate burden of the taxes in the prices of what we buy, but the cost of producing American goods, vis-a-vis foreign goods, is radically reduced. In short, our tax structure should be designed for our, rather than other nations' benefit.

[SAMWolf]

The failures of government are the problem, not the free market.

There's the problem in a nutshell.

[Willie Green]

The majority of our country will always be more able to earn a living compared to the rest of the world as long as we are freer than them.

We're not. Compared to the Third World, our government places significant restrictions on domestic production and utilization of our own natural resources.

[JoeMomma]

Like many others you want stuff cheap and don't want to pay anything, then wonder why the people her you have replaced with slave labor can'r afford you products or services. Bump!

It's interesting that the 'free-marketers' proclaim "capitalism!" and then dive right in and cut deals with socialist and communist governments for inhumane sweatshop and slave labor. It seems the "free-marketers" would rather support communist and socialist governments the world over instead of supporting capitalism at home in the US.

[Texaggie79]

And don't forget that pesky minimum wage. That is a MAJOR factor on why jobs leave this country.

[AdamSelene235]

So let me get this straight. In the event a person tries to enter or exit the country with goods, you wish to use any means neccesary to stop them.

Funny idea of freedom you have there.

So if a ship full of sugar tries to dock in the United States, you believe the navy should intercept them? After all, growing sugar in the Everglades or getting it at 3X market value from beets is the intelligent solution to the problem.Did you notice the LifeSaver candy factory just left the country? Put 2 and 2 together.

If we were at war, other nations would send ships to blockade our ports. You are suggesting we do to ourselves what enemies would do to us in times of war.

[Protagoras]

We're not. Compared to the Third World, our government places significant restrictions on domestic production and utilization of our own natural resources.

And THAT is the problem. Fascism is a terrible thing.

Make the country freer, and you will be fixing the cause of the problem.

[Texaggie79]

Slave labor? Really? Do you honestly believe that the workers are physically FORCED to work?

Sure, they work because of their financial situation but we cannot help that. However, it is a mutual relationship. They willingly work because they desperately need the money. If their governments DID create a minimum wage, our companies would leave and their poor would starve. So, you see, it is free market that saves their people, even when they live under corrupt or oppressive governments.

What better way is there to prove the superiority of capitalism?

[Protagoras]

And don't forget that pesky minimum wage. That is a MAJOR factor on why jobs leave this country.

Spot on. I made that point in an earlier post but no response was forthcoming.

[SAMWolf]

At least we agree on that. I despise the minimum wage.

[Protagoras]

Sure, they work because of their financial situation but we cannot help that.

The vast majority of the people who make what is described as "slave wages" have raised their standard of living by huge amounts and proportionately are well off in their respective societies.

[Texaggie79]

Where are ya Willie? Let us have it. Why must we worship the minimum wage?

[sinkspur]

You guys are doing very well. Besides iterating the principles of free trade, you are doing it in a way that gets right to the point, clearly and concisely.

Walter Williams would be proud.

[Texaggie79]

Exactly. I love how people say "We are exploiting them." I guess we should just not hire them at all, and let them live in complete poverty.

"You can pay them more". No, if we pay them more, it would no longer be financially feasible to go all the way over there to get labor.

[Protagoras]

At least we agree on that. I despise the minimum wage.

Excellent. It is of course just fascism which is not recognised as such by most folks in this country.

The goverment is merely asserting it's power to set prices at it's whim for political purpose. They are in effect telling you that you own things only at their pleasure.

[Texaggie79]

Bows at the mention of Walter Williams name....... :)

[Poohbah]

When companies relocate overseas you have to ask yourself are they patriotic?

Does being "patriotic" require you to wash down that nice tasty Heaven's Gate applesauce with some Jonestown Grape Kool-Aid?

Why can't business be the same way?

Because, at some point, businesses need to make a profit.

Am I so naive, and unsophisticated I just don't understand?

Yes.

Free trade is not my religion. If there are problems with the tax code - then work to fix it.

Businesses have tried to do so, but after over half a century of Democratic politics of class warfare and envy, they realized that it was a lost cause.

Abondoning your country is inexcusable.

Actually, it's more like their country abandoned them--but only after extorting lots of campaign contributions first.

[Protagoras]

"You can pay them more". No, if we pay them more, it would no longer be financially feasible to go all the way over there to get labor.

And I would add it is marginal for much of the production at least on the front end due to substandard production facilites and an undereducated work force with higher rates of training expenses and product quality control expenses.

That is why we never heard the "giant sucking sound" predicted by the populist Ross Perot.

[Texaggie79]

When companies relocate overseas you have to ask yourself are they patriotic?

Indeed they are. They are freeing up our resources for higher paying jobs. They are still headquartered here. Therefore, the REAL paying jobs in that company are American.