Replies

"So called "free trade" to be fair, even despite the handicap on US production highlighted above, is probably good for the US economy overall"

On this we can agree. As for the things you outline, I agree. We need to get rid of a lot of stupid regulations that shackle companies operating here. We need to lower corporate income tax which is merely a tax on you and I the consumer. As for the income disparity gap between the top 10% and everyone else, in a word who cares? Make yourself valuable and you will earn income. What I care about is crony capitalism, the unholy alliance between government and big business. I also care about corporate welfare. I don't believe in it.

"It doesn't work well for the IQs of the 70-110 that make up 50% of the population."

I have alluded to this in another post. I didn't base it on IQ, because I don't believe it is. IMO, I have met a lot of people with supposed high IQs who are pretty stupid and visa versa. I based it on people who worked in the factories all their lives and then become displaced. Free trade proponents need to do a better job of addressing these people's needs. As a true conservative, I think everyone should depend on themselves and not the government, but I understand that in order to make this work we have to come up with an answer to this problem. The answer is re-training and better education. The answer is more home schooling and getting people a choice in their education and not being tied to government schools. That's the start, it doesn't address people in this situation now, but for those people we have to find a way to re-train and incentivize them to get other careers.

As for the income disparity gap between the top 10% and everyone else, in a word who cares? Make yourself valuable and you will earn income. What I care about is crony capitalism, the unholy alliance between government and big business. I also care about corporate welfare. I don't believe in it.

Income gap on a level playing field, sure, I agree 90%. Income gap when the field is leveled to support high IQ + high work ethic + cut throat?

I didn't base it on IQ, because I don't believe it is. IMO, I have met a lot of people with supposed high IQs who are pretty stupid and visa versa.

IQ only goes so far but it is a HUGE prerequisite. IQ of 110 with perfect work ethic and good personality will go as far as 125 IQ with average work ethic and personality but on AVERAGE, an American is born within parameters based on their IQ. IQ of 130 + good work ethic and a bit of luck? Literally sky is the limit. IQ of 70 + good work ethic = $12/hr.
Why do I care despite the fact I make top 1% adjusted for COL before I'm even 35? I don't believe the system survives without a strong middle 25-75%. We're just headed to a revolution, IMO, especially with automation in the mix. When you put laws in place that support MNC/Globalism vs home grown, you are just asking for it. At the least, we should put tariffs that cost of regulations, labor, tax + "cheating."