Posted on 03/20/2016 10:38:54 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Perhaps I misunderstood you. “Tariffs? Absolutely”
Your words, not mine. What did you mean by that, if not support of tariffs, but you didn’t give a list. But you ask a good question: what items should get taxed with a tariff, and which should be left to individual economic decisions? You tell me. Here’s my list of imports i’d like to tax:____________.
And I get it, that Trump has made this trade barrier stuff a campaign issue, but it started before him, with Pat Buchanan. I’m not aware, to my displeasure, that Cruz has really taken Trump to task on this as firmly as I would like.
Derp!
We most certainly do not agree on that point. Bad economic decisions made in the past do not excuse bad decisions made to emulate them.
But that’s a digression.
For me, the issue has two components. The first that we’ve allowed the politicians to make trade a bargaining chip of international politics, with idiotic trade “negotiations” that in essence read “we’ll lower our tariffs if you do the same”, as if not taxing imports somehow puts a country at some sort of disadvantage vis-a-vis those who do. Which is not only complete rubbish, but is exactly counter to the facts of the matter.
The second problem is these international agreements have gone beyond the traditional efforts to lower tariffs, and now extend to efforts to “harmonize” environmental, labor and other laws across trading partners. So you get the WTO ruling on the fidelity of one nation or another adhering to an agreement. I’m sure that we can agree that we don’t care for this sort of erosion of US sovereignty.
My preference would be for conservatives to stop playing that game, and ground the case for free trade solidly on American economic interests. In this view, free trade isn’t about international agreements, IMF bailouts or UN meddling in our affairs. It is however, about freedom. Freedom to buy and sell, freedom of choice, and freedom from government taxes and regulation. And perhaps eqally importantly, freedom from subsidizing well-connected special interests.
Conservatism has long made the case that America’s national economic interest lies in more freedom, not less. Less government meddling, not more. Which is where I will make my stand, regardless of who’s running for president.
Just about everything you can buy has some sort of “tax”, “fee” or “tariff” added. Since you equate that as being the same as the government deciding what you don’t purchase, I take it you don’t purchase anything, ever; otherwise, you don’t have a point.
“National Review’s Kevin Williamson believes Donald Trump’s appeals to the white working class is “immoral” because that demographic’s way of life deserves to die out.”
You’re quoting what someone said he said. Try quoting something he actually said. BTW, the original claim was that he wanted the ‘white middle class’ to die out. So be sure and include “middle class”.
That makes it soooo much better.
So, you can’t provide an actual quote that supports your claim?
Why don’t you read something he actually wrote? His work focuses on the poor white ghetto, not the middle class.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/367903/white-ghetto-kevin-d-williamson
I agree, and that was not my intent.
Political discussions that allow for the "Invisible hand" that made America Great require a huge amount of faith.
Faith in your fellow Man. Faith that the counter parties to your transactions, whether by contract or a handshake, are honored. And when those agreements fail, the reputation and future business of the party that "failed to deliver" should take a hit. Live and learn. Caveat Emptor.
The Politicians primarily advance policies that involve force of government to "Make things fair" since it's the only thing they can control. In addition, IMHO, virtually ALL politicians seek to "protect" ignorant or stupid people by asserting themselves and some form of Government rules/regulations/laws which shifts the responsibility away from the individual parties. We are creating a "No-Fault" society that has been increasingly "re-placing" their faith in themselves for a faith in Government. Somebody should do something about that.
I blame the "Left" for this.
It's not just the politics but the fundamentals of the Lefts beliefs or lack thereof. For sixty years or more they have been sewing the seeds of uncertainty of one's self and in turn they have lost faith in others. As a result, they turn to Government to solve their problems.
I could write a book about this.
I’ve enjoyed reading your replies on this thread.
Well done.
Thank you
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