Posted on 07/26/2017 2:01:23 PM PDT by econjack
I received this email today from my senator. He doesn't have a clue:
Senator Rob Portman Today at 3:49 PM
Message body
Dear Jack,
Ensuring that U.S. workers can compete on a level playing field in the global economy is one of my top priorities the Senate. In June of 2015, I was able to pass the Leveling the Playing Field Act with Senator Brown, which gave Ohio’s steel companies new tools to fight unfair trade practices by foreign countries like China. By restoring strength to laws that allow businesses and workers in the United States to petition the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission (ITC) when foreign producers sell goods in the U.S. below market price or receive illegal subsidies, this legislation holds foreign countries accountable when they skirt the rules. My Level the Playing Field Act will continue to benefit Ohio Steel companies such as Picoma Industries in Cambridge, Sharon Tube in Niles, Wheatland Tube in Warren, Vallourec Star in Youngstown, and AK Steel.
I have also seen firsthand the importance of trade remedy laws. In 2015, I helped members of the United Steelworkers and retirees of Cooper Tire win their trade enforcement case onunfairly subsidized and undersold passenger vehicle and light truck tires imported from China. If the International Trade Commission had not ruled in their favor, Ohio would have lost a significant number of important jobs. Additionally, I have successfully fought to level the playing field through trade enforcement cases regarding Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) , steel reinforcing bars (rebar) , hot-rolled steel , and steel pipe in recent years.
As we seek to expand opportunities for Ohio companies to sell their products in countries all over the globe, it is vital that we ensure this increased trade takes place on terms that comply with international rules and national laws. We must take advantage of the opportunities that closer trade ties can provide, but we must also guard against the threat that unchecked unfair trade practices may create false advantages, distort markets, and harm our domestic industries and workers. For more open trade to work, it must be governed by rules and those rules must be enforced.
I will continue to fight for fair trade for Ohio workers because I believe that with a level playing field, our workers can compete and win against anyone in the world.
Sincerely,
Rob Portman
U.S. Senator
==============
Who's the real winner when "leveling the playing field"? He says:
...when foreign producers sell goods in the U.S. below market price or receive illegal subsidies... "we" must level the playing field.
Really? Who determines the market price? I thought it was supposed to be the market, not some politician snuggling up to organized labor. How many workers are employed in OH at the companies mentioned? Let's go big and say 2000. So, you raised the price of everything that uses steel. from cars to homes, to steel tipped boots, to 330 million consumers to (maybe) benefit 2000 workers in Ohio. So, once again, the consumer gets screwed while unions benefit.
Since part of the plan is import tariffs, who gets that cash? The federal gov't. Who gets to pay for those tariffs? The American consumer...including union members.
Sorry, Senator, you didn't level the playing field for anyone. You raised prices to all of us, bought some union votes in the process, and shoved a bunch of tariff money into your pocket to dole out to others, like on such worthy projects as free cell phones for deadbeats.
Senator Portman: During your campaign:
You promised to repeal Obamacare and have done nothing.
You promised to lower taxes and have done nothing.
You promised to curb illegal immigration and have done nothing.
The US has given the GOP the House, the Senate, and now the WH and you idiots have not done ONE THING FOR US. This email shows me you don't have a clue about economics and your work record tells me you have lied about your intentions.
You, and the GOP, are inept and a huge disappointment to all of us.
The 7 Republicans that voted against the repeal of Obamacare today should be punished. Not one dime of infrastructure money should go to these seven states. Maybe the voters would catch on what duds they’ve been voting for and would primary them in the future. Unfortunate, most were reelected last Nov., thanks to Trump’s big win. What sleazy ingrates they are!
You should write back:
The ‘playing field’ is NEVER level and never will be.
All the other countries are looking to get ahead by hook or by crook, but mostly by crook.
They subsidize their workers’ produce and tax what we produce.
The sell at a loss to destroy our industry, then charge what they please.
Get a CLUE!............................
Ever since limp-wristed Portman’s son came out as a GAY MILITANT, he has changed....and NOT for the good....PRIMARY HIM, Ohio!!
That being said, I don't regret voting for him since his vote was needed to approve Neil Gorsuch ot the Supreme Court.
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