[arrogantsob]

As to your last remark about the small businesses and workers who depended upon the Iron industry, it is just as persuasive to claim that by slowing down the railroad expansion the tariff hurt the small businesses and workers who depended on the railroad.

At first glance I would hold this to be a negative since railroad workers were highly paid relative to Iron industry workers. So there was a net loss of income.

[central_va]

First you'd have to prove that using domestically produced raised SLOWED down the process. An the month(s) that it cost the project the delay benefited the country at large and was a bigger economic benefit. Regardless, in the LONG term having a vibrant steel industry is essential. I find economic retarded people can only think short term.

Like I said your ego will require you to respond....