Posted on 11/23/2005 10:35:06 AM PST by BransonRevival
Do you even know what "dumping" is?
Free trade? LOL. China is a non-market economy. They have to play by certain rules, you know. Oh, nevermind.
He may want a couple of things on his record to show he is not a knee jerk free trader, though his record is overwhelmingly pro-free trade.
"With the exception of this and a few other boards and a few talking heads on the TV, I have NEVER heard a single person defend free trade."
Same here. :)
Most of the people I know are white collar business people you would think would support Free Trade because it boosts their companies profits, but even with them they are mildly suspicous of Free Trade.
The only people I have ever seen that support Free Trade are hedge fund managers on CNBC and billionaire CEOs.
See the 2004 senate elections.
Every single winning new freshman senator claimed to be free trade (John Thune who voted against CAFTA made it clear he was doing it out of protest over his airbase and was carefull to repeat that he was and still is pro free trade).
All the opposition mercantilists were defeated, several of them made it center in their platforms.
Long story short, free traders win elections, protectionists do not.
You might call it selfishness, but folks like lower prices and they vote for it when given the chance.
"Then its bad politics."
No I meant it won't help him in the SENATE Race.
In the Presidential race he could give the Democrats serious heart burn in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania by trying to be somewhat more protectionist.
Maybe you could explain it to everyone?
The last protectionist to win the presidency was in 1928. When was the last time the U.S. rejected a free trade deal? Maybe you need to widen your circle of friends.
One of the democrats in new yorks congressional delegation who voted for CAFTA was told clearly if he voted against it, he would face primary opposition and lose.
Nancy Pelosi gave him hell for it, but he knew the deal.
Folks may not talk pro-free trade, but they vote for it, when it means lower prices.
Its why running for senate as a protectionist loses elections, and free traders win (see 2004 senate elections).
Meet more people.
To many voters say one thing, but when they think that free trade means lower prices, they vote for lower prices.
Its why most protectionists can't call themselves protectionists (though it is more honest to call them mercantilists, protectionist is more of a slur).
Wal-mart raising prices ticks people off when its done by a politician, wal-mart slashing prices resulting in layoffs results in fist shaking and yelling....and votes for the guys who got those prices slashed through free trade deals.
How do higher prices keep jobs and help people again?
Michigan isn't going to GOP even if its Pat Buchanan, Ohio isn't going democrat even if the democratic nominee called for a Reagan Holiday, Pennslyvania is a big state, but its not going to swing.
Bush went protectionist, and it burned him more then being pro-free trade....besides, one mercantilist vote isn't going to change Allens record.
If the auto plant does not go to Mexico but stays here then the high paying jobs help Americans. Say prices do go up 5% but wages go up 10% you are ahead of the game.
If you have 3000 employees and build 6000 cars then I'll agree. If you plan to build more than 6000 cars then it sounds like your plan is a loser for the American people.
Ever heard of Milton Friedman? He's influenced more than just billionaires, CEO's and hedge fund managers. He said:
Hard to argue with. Maybe you can tell us the last time the U.S. rejected a free trade agreement. Who was the last protectionist to run for president and how much of the popular vote did he receive? This will tell you all you need to know.
The Byrd Amendment allows U.S. companies to keep the profits from tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, instead of the money going to the U.S. Treasury. What that means is that the U.S. companies that successfully bring an anti-dumping action at your expense force you to pay higher prices for their products, while also keeping the revenue generated by the tariffs. In other words, from your standpoint, it's a lose-lose-lose.
"You might call it selfishness, but folks like lower prices and they vote for it when given the chance."
You could call capitalism "selfishness". On the other hand, you could say that Communism is the purest example of "selflessness". In this particular case, the phrase "The Road to Hell is paved with good intentions" is definitive.
People who support free trade understand where prosperity comes from, just like people who support capitalism. To be sure, a minority always benefits from protectionism. When a majority supports protectionism, it is because they have been fooled.
Having said that, educating the public on this issue can be quite difficult.
Heard of the trickle down therory of economics. There is a also a trickle up therory. If wages go up in say auto making it will drive wags up for others to compete for the best workers. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Not really. Maybe if I read it a few more times, do a few weeks of research and get educated …
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