Posted on 03/16/2025 4:36:24 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Donald Trump’s tariff policies remain a lightning rod for debate. Democrats are sounding the alarm, warning of dire economic fallout and painting a picture of looming catastrophe.
Batya Ungar-Sargon, deputy opinion editor of Newsweek, made one of the strongest, most effective cases yet for former President Donald Trump’s tariffs during the latest episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher.” She broke down exactly why these tariffs are necessary, and by the end, she left Bill Maher flustered.
Ungar-Sargon’s explanation couldn’t have been clearer: manufacturing jobs and economic nationalism are crucial for the American middle class.
When the conversation turned to the economy of the 1970s, Ungar-Sargon wasted no time explaining why so many Americans look back on that era with nostalgia. “In the ‘70s, the largest share of our GDP was in the middle class,” she said. “And that was not separate from the fact that 25% of our economy was in manufacturing.”
Maher sought clarification, asking if that meant “most of what was produced came from the middle, and now it comes from the rich.”
“Now, the top 20% controls over 50% of the GDP,” Ungar-Sargon confirmed, highlighting how economic power has been funneled away from the working class. “That manufacturing is still being done; it’s just being done in other countries.”
Maher interjected, noting that the jobs have moved overseas for “wages we will not work for.”
This, of course, is true, but it also proved Ungar-Sargon’s point.
“Yes, that’s exactly right. You’re right, Bill,” Ungar-Sargon responded. “That’s what the tariffs are for. They are to make American workers more competitive in the global market.” She then challenged the defeatist attitude that has allowed China to dominate industries once vital to the American workforce. “Why are we accepting that there should be a race to the bottom?
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Worth the watch.
Good but not great.
Yes, I was just going to write that. A strong and healthy manufacturing sector with experienced manufacturing managers and execs is vital to our security.
This makes me wonder why someone doesn’t do these 2-5 minute videos and have Musk, Trump and others post them to their accounts.
Of course, leftists still wouldn’t see them but a 5 minute video explaining TdA’s deportation or tariffs would get 100’s of millions views, and go a long way to getting the our side of the arguments out there.
I’m thinking the 5th industrial pillar for national security would be energy.
“...former President Donald Trump...”
???
Actually its the first.
Cheap, abundant, reliable energy is the foundation of a nation's economy and its national defense.
semiconductor chips.
Ok. I’m going to go off for a bit, but I’m not going to engage replies:
THIS.
Coming from someone @ newsweak is, well, a shocker. But it won’t matter. The left won’t be convinced. Period. The center? Well, they’re the true turncoats. At least the hard left has the cajones to stand true to their beliefs and not waffle every other election. That includes some republicans.
For DECADES I’ve been at odds with republicans - so-called ‘faux Conservatives’ - who held the ‘free trade’ banner high, ignoring the simple fact that it was more than bad trade policy which moved manufacturing jobs to cheaper labor:
Due to the federal spending problem, if manufacturing costs weren’t managed, the political class took it on the chin with high inflation. In the wake of the oil crisis & the peanut farmer, they got in bed with the corporatists, promised board salaries etc. and - in part - the game was on. It is the status quo. In plain sight. It’s a travesty. Corruption is a core issue still unresolved. Insider trading is but a symptom.
Yes, the idiot class is wrong about tariffs bringing higher prices: Bringing those jobs home will. It’s unavoidable, but manageable with a stronger economy if we address the other core issue:
We STILL have a spending crisis, and a financial crash is still a possibility.
They can cut all they want via DOGE, but POTUS seriously undermined reversing the status quo by supporting the CR.
It was a trap, and he fell for it hook, line & sinker. I’d hoped he vetted his advisors this time around. That’s strike 2. Now I wonder what’s coming next, the stupid mistake that will invigorate the left and bring us a return to decline in ‘28, having wasted all that momentum to transform government & the economy. NO MORE CRs.
I’m still grateful for DJT’s return, so it would be egregiously wrong to attack me for righteous critique. We need to codify changes, begin to address the congresscritter problem and produce a workable budget WHILE they do all the rest of it which is currently making headlines (assuming that ds lets any of that happen).
As I’ve written prior, I do hold hope...
...but my other hand is filling up fast. I demand MORE, but I’m not Pollyanna: I am Cynicus.
IMHO
[rant over]
How many FReepers are old enough to remember when one or more members of families - even neighbors - were working in factories? My family were farmers but relatives who were not, worked in factories. Where I was born and raised, it was IBM, NCR/Allen Wales, Morse Chain, American LaFrance. My brother worked in a factory for 40 years after his military service (late ‘40’s) before retiring.
Actually its the first.
+++++++++
Don’t disagree. 4 of the 5 pillars were identified and I simply provided the missing pillar. Nothing happens without energy. Easily #1.
My dad made rubber products, mom made car wiring, aunt stamped metal parts, and my brother made blue jeans. None of those companies are around anymore.
That’s a good addition. I was thinking of chip making.
“Why are we accepting that there should be a race to the bottom? You know, China, what is its competitive advantage over us? It’s that it pays slave wages. Why should we accept that?”
Consider the increased costs to transport from China or from other countries and US manufacturing costs should not be greater. With increased use of robotics, less reliance a manpower many products should cost about the same anywhere. US should have an advantage with energy costs given the abundant supply of energy resources. Regulatory impediments to manufacturing are also declining in US under Trump.
They’re all important and necessary. Reminds me of an old joke.
The various parts of the body were arguing about who was the most important. The lungs said they were the most important, we need oxygen to live. The heart said it’s me, I pump the blood containing the oxygen. The brain said it’s me, none of this works without me. The butt quietly clamped shut, winning the argument.
YEP - that’s the way it was. I forgot to include Remington Rand as a factory where relatives worked...also Eclipse, a division of Bendix Aviation...both of those in Elmira, NY
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