Posted on 03/30/2016 6:26:02 AM PDT by central_va
“Free trade” would more accurately be called “freedom for other countries to undercut and destroy American domestic production” because in practice that is what is happening. This is an undeniable fact that should be obvious to any consumer or business in this country. Very little of what is consumed here is made by American-owned companies operating in America. This was not formerly the case, and it was not how the wealth of this country was created.
Proponents of “free trade” justify their position by saying it is supplying American consumers with access to the lowest cost, most competitive market. However, this does not justify the terrible consequences. Proponents dismiss the destruction to American domestic production by wishfully thinking we will find new ways to reinvent ourselves. How will we continue to pay for these cheap foreign goods with no industry to generate our own wealth?
“Free trade” proponents fail to say that free access to subsidized foreign production is destroying America’s chances to be competitive.
(Excerpt) Read more at economyincrisis.org ...
R U a Cruz supporter?
I want low income taxes, low property taxes, low sales taxes.
I want a 500,000% “security tax” on imports so we can properly secure our ports.
I want to put the politicians responsible for the H1-B visa program in a stockade.
That’s a nice story, but I don’t think it would work.
What are some examples of a strong export economy that was ruined by another country enacting tariffs against them? Can you think of any?
We didn’t beat the USSR with tariffs, we beat them by initiating an arms race that they couldn’t sustain.
You're saying you would trade their economy for ours? You'd trade their per capita income for ours? You'd trade their standard of living for ours? They are mercantilists after all, a system far superior to us suckers.
Maybe you should get out of the house and visit some of these places you think are taking us to the cleaners. That might temper your hosannas.
“China and many other countries engage in different forms of protectionism.”
China does a lot of stupid things we don’t do.
“Why should we sacrifice millions of jobs, and empower China’s rise?”
Why should we tax everyone to create jobs for a few people who can’t compete in the labor market?
“A balanced, equitable trade agreement fair to both parties is not protectionism.”
That’s not what is being proposed, though. What is being proposed is tariffs, which is welfare under another name.
Because I’d rather have them “inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in” (to paraphrase LBJ)
I would like to see tariffs + de-regulation followed by a surge in both domestic manufacturing AND resurgence in small business. I would like to see a certain % of tariffs allocated ONLY to infrastructure spending. (roads, bridges, ports, airports, natural gas lines, steam lines, water, sewage, etc)
I would like to see government subsidizing of college go away in favor of encouraging more people to go into trades.
I would probably encourage a corporate tax rate of somewhere between 0 and 1%.
The Chinese people believe in freedom. The Chinese government does not.
Actually, I’d say it is you who doesn’t understand how tariffs, or competition works.
If we have goods on the market, anywhere in the world, we’re in competition with everyone else manufacturing similar goods, anywhere else in the world. Tariffs do nothing to stop that.
All tariffs do is try to use the force of government to give us a competitive advantage, solely within our own country. It does nothing to help us compete in the rest of the markets, and it costs us dearly by forcing all consumers to bear the cost of subsidizing the sectors of our economy that can’t compete.
Also, just like with any government subsidy, it will encourage more incompetence on the part of industry, because they will be cushioned from the results of poor economic decisions.
I am not in favor of a $15/hr min wage but the current political push for it is not surprising in the least. The people see what is happening. They see factories closing and the standard of living falling. At the same time the stock market is soaring and corporate profits are at all time highs.
So this back lash is expected. Funny thing Free Traitors™ never factor in that people have the right to vote in their own self interest.
But those sorts of things don't happen with imports from India, South America, Indonesia or elsewhere now, do they? I have no problem with harmful suppliers being shut out of our economy. We should be doing more of that, but I don't need you or big government to protect me from myself. Do you allow your kids to go outside and play? Do they ride in a car with you? How can you do that when there is so much danger out there? We should remove personal liberty whenever there is a risk of an adverse event? How do you manage to get out of bed in the morning?
Are you a Bernie supporter?
I am saying that is beneficial and a good thing.
More tariffs, less income taxes.
I want Trump.
With do gooders like you, who needs enemies? Hey, at least your intentions are good.
But that's not what my original post was about.
Go back and read it and you will agree.
For your information, I jumped out of a plane Saturday, so I get out of bed in the morning quite fine.
Once we become a third world economy again, we can start making plastic lawn furniture, cheap Christmas lights and toilet brushes here once again, and then reap the benefits of being a manufacturing powerhouse.
It is incredible how economically illiterate people on this website are.
Protectionist policies are leftist that lead to depressions.
People think 600 dollars for an IPhone is expensive? Just wait until only 100k Iphones can be manufactured and have to be sold at 5000 dollars each.
That is what many members of this site advocate.
So are you a Cruz supporter?
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