[ninenot]

The "US is too complex for tax reductions" argument is sound, to an extent.

OTOH, raising tariffs (and one can engineer tariffs for offshored-intellectual properties..) would earn the scorn and screaming of other countries??

Proper response: STFU.

[Dr Warmoose]

OTOH, raising tariffs (and one can engineer tariffs for offshored-intellectual properties..) would earn the scorn and screaming of other countries??

If one could conjure up an enforcable tariff on offshore intellectual property, then I could be for it just because the resultant commotion would identify those parties who are gung-ho about destroying the IT, medical, accounting, analyst, and manufacturing base.

Some of the loudest screaming will be from Hollywierd and the RIAA as countries experiencing these new tariffs will turn around and jack tarrifs up on film and music.

Moral debasement is a great tool to destroy the enemy, I would hate to see this powerful weapon diminished in its potency.