Posted on 12/29/2010 6:13:39 PM PST by BfloGuy
Last summer, I purchased a 2010 LS 460 Lexus, through a U.S. intermediary, from a Japanese producer for $70,000.
Here's my question to you: Was that a fair trade?
I was free to keep my $70,000 or purchase the car. The Japanese producer was free to keep his Lexus or sell me the car.
As it turned out, I gave up my $70,000 and took possession of the car, and the Japanese producer gave up possession of the car and took possession of my money.
The exchange occurred because I saw myself as being better off and so did the Japanese producer.
I think it was both free and fair trade, and I'd like an American mercantilist to explain to me how it wasn't.
Mercantilists have absolutely no argument when we recognize that trade is mostly between individuals.
Mercantilists pretend that trade occurs between nations, such as the U.S. trading with England or Japan, to appeal to our jingoism.
(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...
They never bother, though, to look "behind the curtain" to understand that a half century of inflation brought on by the Fed has created the conditions that make foreign goods cheaper than our own. They can't be bothered to think for a minute that our government's deficit spending has created the market for the debt that foreigners snap up because the US has always been the haven for investment.
No. Instead, they want to punish their own countrymen by imposing taxes (tariffs) on foreign purchases further impoverishing Americans instead of doing the dirty work of insisting that the government clean up its act and stop debasing our money.
I don't get it.
protectionazis = Americans
Not jingoism; patriotism.
Some of us have a deeper notion of the nation state being more than just the security guard at the flea market.
It’s unfair trade because I can’t buy a new Ford pickup.
I know it’s the fault of the Japanese that I can’t buy one because if there were no foreign products there would be fine Union folks giving their fellow Americans free pickup trucks and billing the government. So, it’s not fair to be fair when you could be taken care of instead.
(does this really need a “sarc”?)
I like free trade. It reduces the ability of my friends and family to make a living, and then they are more dependent on the government. This makes them more likely to vote for Democrats in the future. The other good thing is it has removed their self worth, and removed hope for the future from their children, helping them down the path of crime. And of course, there is that Free Trade sends billions to China, so they can build their future as the new world military power.
What if the mercantilists are the Japanese, as they most assuredly are?
The ChiComs don't get it either, why America is so stupid as to transfer entire technologies to them just to save penny's on the dollar. But guys like you, embolden them. Penny wise pound foolish, that is the free traders way.
Taxes, epa, unions, osha, americans with disabilities act, lawyers...foreign manufacturers don’t deal with these handicaps. Therefore it’s not fair to import foreign products. There’s nothing fair about it.
Yeah the anti free trade crowd rightly warned us back in the 1980s that the continued practice would lead to our total ownership by japan.
Had we listened to your well reasoned arguments we could have avoided our hapless servitude to the Japanese. Their imperial power now knows no rival. /sarc
btw, lexuses are made in america. So this isn’t a very good example.
The UAW looks like Henry Clay Frick compared to the Japanese Auto Workers and Industriegewerkschaft Metall in Germany.
I know the point of the article,, but... $70,000!!!!!!! for a CAR!!!! you must be crazy.......the most I ever paid for transportation was $11,000 for a new F150 in 1995, of which I am still driving..........I bought it for the 300 cu in engine,,, solid cast iron, etc......last year made.....
Clearly, the Japan model is not being followed by China. The Chinese have learned.
I would like the entire federal budget be funded by tariffs and eliminate the income tax. Call me a dreamer.
Push for 1,000% tariffs on everything foreign period. Nothing produced or grown in any foreign country. See how the American quality of life is then. Or, you could work to reduce America roadblock to competiveness. Your choice.
At this point, we are headed for that kind of infation because Free Trade™ has ruined the dollar.
Agreed,, kill NAFTA!!!!!!!!!!!
Americans=Capitalists
Protectionazis/Mercantilist/National Socialist= Stupid European
No Lexus are manufactured in the US.
http://www.lexus.com/about/corporate/manufacturing.html
I could agree to that with one stipulation - no increases in the existing tariffs.
It is only on Free Republic you get to hear form Americans who can see the emperor is naked.
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