Every American Should Pause to Read What Warren Has to Say About Economic Patriotism

Townhall.com ^ | June 7, 2019 | Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel

[Kaslin]

Let's begin with a thought experiment: What if the Republican leadership in Washington had bothered to learn the lessons of the 2016 election? What if they'd understood, and embraced, the economic nationalism that was at the heart of Donald Trump's presidential campaign? What would the world look like now, 2 1/2 years later? For starters, Republicans in Congress would regularly be saying things like this:

"I'm deeply grateful for the opportunities America has given me. But the giant 'American' corporations who control our economy don't seem to feel the same way. They certainly don't act like it. Sure, these companies wave the flag -- but they have no loyalty or allegiance to America. ... These 'American' companies show only one real loyalty: to the short-term interests of their shareholders, a third of whom are foreign investors. If they can close up an American factory and ship jobs overseas to save a nickel, that's exactly what they will do -- abandoning loyal American workers and hollowing out American cities along the way. ... The result? Millions of good jobs lost overseas and a generation of stagnant wages, growing income inequality, and sluggish economic growth. ... We can navigate the changes ahead if we embrace economic patriotism and make American workers our highest priority, rather than continuing to cater to the interests of companies and people with no allegiance to America."

If you regularly vote Republican, ask yourself: What part of that statement do you disagree with? Here's the depressing part: Nobody you voted for said that or would ever say it.

Instead, the words you just read are from, and brace yourself here, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Yesterday, Warren released what she's calling her "plan for economic patriotism." Amazingly, that's pretty much exactly what it is. There's not a word about identity politics in the document. There are no hysterics about gun control or climate change. There's no lecture about the plight of transgender illegal immigrants. It's just pure old-fashioned economics: how to preserve good-paying American jobs.

Even more remarkable: Many of Warren's policy prescriptions make obvious sense. She says the U.S. government should buy American products when it can. Of course it should. She says we need more workplace apprenticeship programs, as four-year degrees aren't right for everyone. That's true. She says taxpayers ought to benefit from the research and development they fund. And yet, she writes, "We often see American companies take that research and use it to manufacture products overseas, like Apple did with the iPhone. The companies get rich, and American taxpayers have subsidized the creation of low-wage foreign jobs." And so on. She doesn't mention the role that overregulation has played in incentivizing American companies to leave our shores, but besides that, she sounds like Donald Trump at his best.

Who is this Elizabeth Warren, you ask? Not the race-hustling, gun-grabbing, abortion extremist you thought you knew. Unfortunately, Elizabeth Warren is still all of those things, too. And that is exactly the problem -- not just with Warren but with American politics. In Washington, almost nobody speaks for the majority of voters.

There isn't a caucus that represents where most Americans actually are: nationalist on economics, fairly traditional on the social issues. That candidate would be elected in a landslide. Yet that candidate is the opposite of pretty much everyone currently serving in Congress. Our leadership class remains resolutely corporatist: committed to the rhetoric of markets when it serves them, utterly libertine on questions of culture. Republicans will lecture you about how payday loan scams are a critical part of a market economy, and then they'll work to make it easier for your kids to smoke weed because, hey, freedom. Democrats will nod in total agreement. They're all on the same page.

Just last week, the Trump administration announced an innovative new way to protect American workers from the ever-cascading tidal wave of cheap third-world labor flooding this country. Until the Mexican government stops pushing illegal aliens north over our border, we will impose tariffs on all Mexican goods we import. That's the kind of thing you'd do to protect your country if you cared about your people. The Democrats, of course, opposed it. They don't even pretend to care about America anymore. Here's what Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "I think it's safe to say you've talked to all of our members and we're not fans of tariffs. We're still hoping that this can be avoided."

We're not fans of tariffs either, but after both Republican and Democratic politicians have made virtually no effort to stem the flow of illegal immigration that has harmed low-wage American workers, at least Trump is trying. He's using access to our giant consumer market to persuade another country to stop taking actions that are hurting regular Americans. Why is that such a bad thing?

[mowowie]

I know 3 people that work at the local supermarket stocking shelves overnight.
One cleared 71 grand last year the other two made over 80 grand.
Yup they belong to a union and actually went on strike last month and won.
Yea all three have been stocking those shelves for over 30 years but c’mon it is a frigging low/zero skill job that young people should be doing to make a little cash to pay some bills....like working at McDonalds.
Imagine a 50-60 year old burger flipper making 80 grand at Burger King..
I have zero idea how that company survives against all of the other non-union stores surrounding it..

[super7man]

It is the government that created the taxation and regulation policies that forced companies to move manufacturing offshore. Due to the competitive nature of capitalism, once one company in an industry moves, all the others have to move too or go out of business.

Part of the blame is the American consumer, who will buy Chinese “to save a nickel”.

[central_va]

It is the government that created the taxation and regulation policies that forced companies to move manufacturing offshore.

Forced? Now that is funny. The lack of protective tariffs, dropped after WWII, and the worlds mercantilism let this happen. Only a corrupt paid off government lets the world pick apart it's most vital resource, the industrial base.

[Lurker]

“Warren, of course, is deflecting the blame for these misguided economic policies away from her party onto those whom she and her gang have forced into a race to the bottom.”

I’ll nitpick on “misguided”. It was done quite on purpose I think. They write nearly incomprehensible tax laws, turn the enforcement of them over to a huge and frighteningly powerful Agency which is then responsible for writing even more incomprehensible regulations all of which carry the full force of law and have criminal penalties attached.

Then when the entire system damages the economy they blame “corporate America” and proceed to pass even more damaging legislation which, of course, accrues even more power to Government. Lather, rinse, and repeat until every single facet of the economy is under their thumbs.

I think, at least I hope, a very large number of people get this on a gut level. That’s what the pundits and pollsters all missed and continue to miss.

Couple that with the absolutely insane positions on “social issues” the Democrat Party is pushing and, properly played, Republicans could destroy the opposition party for a generation. What I’m not sure is if they really want to do that.

Taxpayer funded abortion literally right up to the moment of birth? Open borders allowing a couple of million illiterate people flooding their suburban schools that are already groaning under confiscatory property tax rates? Huge tax increases on their employers? Whacked out plans to stave off “climate change” that also just happen to involve huge tax increases? “Free” damned near everything?

When properly positioned these issues will drive those “white, educated, suburban women” the the Republican side in droves and there wouldn’t be a damned thing the Democrat Party could do to stop it besides scream “Orange Man Bad!”

And people are rapidly tiring of that I think. President Trump is showing the Democrats to be about as sane as outhouse rats. If the rest of his party would support him in this 2020 would be a cake walk.

L

[WWG1WWA]

Okay, the known liar has come up with something we can all agree on. However, Poco became rich while in office. She is worth millions. Where did that money come from? If she really believed that, she would have spoken out years ago when industries were moving to China.

[Hostage]

Blaming corporations.

Trump understands corporations who have set up shop overseas need an incentive to repatriate and do business back in America.

Warren’s statements leave all that out. It’s a good bet Warren’s wonk writers will craft a tax plan to penalize such corporations whereas Trump has given them tax incentives to relocate back in the USA as well as impose tariffs if they continue to operate offshore.

[Mr. Jeeves]

+1000. The author completely misses that it was the regulation and taxation promulgated by Elizabeth Warren and her ilk that drove American industry offshore in the first place, not the chance to save a few dollars on labor costs. She only wants industry back to validate past progressive policy errors - not to help the average American.

[nathanbedford]

When properly positioned these issues will drive those “white, educated, suburban women” the the Republican side in droves and there wouldn’t be a damned thing the Democrat Party could do to stop it besides scream “Orange Man Bad!”

I agree with everything you said in your reply but here's the rub, I am a white, educated, suburban male.

I don't think I speak the same language as these suburban females. When the Democrat candidate screams, "Orange Man bad" it gets traction with these females. Throw in racism, throw in a few heartbreaking stories and the delicate balance in those few battleground states can be tipped. I will be standing in the aftermath of the election scratching my head and wondering how in hell could these women vote this way?

I understand the temptation to exaggerate this Mars versus Venus dichotomy but the gap in all the data is glaring and it does not break in our favor. Nor did it break in our favor in 2018. How do we win an election by arguing that Sen. Warren's version of populism is a crack pot admixture of socialism and fascism? All the male voters are nodding their heads in agreement while the females have turned us out while they respond to politics as soap opera!

[bankwalker]

repeal the 19th ... solves almost every problem we have ...

[Lurker]

“I agree with everything you said in your reply but here’s the rub, I am a white, educated, suburban male. I don’t think I speak the same language as these suburban females.”

I’m not sure I qualify as “educated”. High school and an Associates. The rest is 40 plus years of Hard Knocks U, summa cum laude or whatever. But even I’m smart enough to believe that a 45 second campaign ad breaking down the kitchen table economic issues would be very effective.

So would 45 seconds of video showing 2,000 people a DAY streaming across a basically wide open southern border. Soccer moms don’t want their precious little snowflakes being deprived of what passes for an education these days any more than you or I do.

Five or six 30 second spots showing the devastation MS-13 is doing to small town America would herd them into our camp and I mean right now.

“At 15 years old Mary Smith had her whole life ahead of her until she was brutally murdered by a gang member who was released into your community by the Democrat Party. Is that what you want for your children? It’s what Candidate Democrat Whack Job wants. Vote Republican.”

“Right here in Name the State X number of people have died from Fentanyl overdoses in just the last 2 years. Nearly all of that poison came in through the border with Mexico. Candidate Democrat Whack Job wants to abolish ICE and keep the border open so your kids can be exposed. Is that what YOU want? Vote Republican to keep your family safe.”

Game over.

Oh the press and the Dems (same thing I know) will howl. Let them. I’ll quote your tagline: “Attack. Repeat attack”. The only open question is whether or not the Republican Party has the stomach to do it.

L

[unread]

"Money RENTS allegence."

Very well put....

[goodnesswins]

"Democrats are learning. Be afraid."

Democrats LIE....Always. They campaign to the Right, and govern to the Left. President Trump figured that out, and campaigned to the Left, and governs to the Right...IMHO

[super7man]

I don’t think we disagree. “Forced” in the sense that once one company in an industry goes to take advantage of foreign mercantilism, and the rest ARE forced to go, or they are out of business. This is because there is little loyalty in the American consumer to American goods. Price is paramount, quality is second.

[nathanbedford]

All great ideas for ads!

I would only add that there should be warm violin music in the background and the add should overall look like commercials for drugs picturing happy couples, happy mothers, happy children all accompanied by the music.

Three of the most effective commercials ever were the little girl pulling the daisy petals merging into the bomb blast, Willie Horton, and Reagan's, "there is a bear in the woods." Of the three, considering Trump's image with women, I think the saccharin version is to be preferred at least in this election cycle.

[Kickass Conservative]

Lieawatha is a Snake in the Grass. Heed the Poem then Candidate Donald Trump repeated at his many Rallies.

The Government creates the environment these Evil Corporations have to work within through ridiculous Tax Laws and Regulatory requirements.

The Evil Corporations are always acting in a defensive reactionary response to those same Tax Laws and Regulatory Requirements. They are in Business to make a Profit for their Investors. If building here makes no Economic sense, they look elsewhere.

The Federal Government run by Politicians like Lieawatha help push those Industries out by letting other Countries dictate Trade Policy and allowing them to use Tariffs and Government Subsidies to destroy American Manufacturing.

They did nothing to stop it and now it’s all the fault of Evil American Industry fueled by their Evil Profit Motives?

All Warren is doing is creating a Straw Man so she can enact her Socialist Agenda. If she truly supported our Capitalist system, she would work to make the United States a more competitive and hospitable place for those Evil Corporations who provide the goods and services that make the average American’s Lifestyle the envy of the world.

Her diatribe is only valid if she wants to reduce Government Interference, not promote it through Central Planning which we all know is her ultimate goal.

[Buckeye McFrog]

If the economy continues to boom as it is perhaps the voters will turn to social issues and on these, clearly, the right has all the better arguments.

Unfortunately I think it's an argument we've already lost. Look at people under 40. They appear to be totally onboard with gay issues, the sexual revolution, not having a religion, etc. The only thing that keeps us on the traditional values side of the equation is that not enough of us have died yet.

[Lurker]

“All great ideas for ads!”

I came up with those on the fly as it were. And I lack any formal College edumacation, so what the hell do I know. Now iffen my ignorant, deplorable, smelly, bass fishing, gun shooting, Dollar General shopping hide can do it I’m sure some Ivy League brainiac can do even better.

Always enjoy chatting with you. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Best,

L

[nathanbedford]

:-)

[central_va]

We need protective tariffs so that corporations don’t have relief valve. That is the only way things will change and to save American industry. Your way is death. Sorry your post id globalist BS. Tariffs are patriot candy.

[Kickass Conservative]

Please reread my first Reply to you.

I was referring to the Tariffs and Government Subsidies used by other Nations against us and the failure of our Government to do anything about it for decades, until POTUS Trump that is.

My other point was that our Government has attacked US Industry with ridiculous Taxation and Regulation while other Governments have enabled their own Industries to undermine the United States with unfair Trade practices.

A primary example is China being allowed to dump Steel here below their cost to produce it and driving the US Steel Industry into near extinction. Short term pain for them but a long term strategy that worked.