Free trade's victims turning against Bush, GOP

The Herald Sun ^ | August 25, 2003 | associated press

[WOSG]

Rolling over the odometer here past 1,000 ... boy, this is one heck of a 'Food Fight'.

Freedom!

[GOP_1900AD]

Who said anything about a "program?" This is far more simple than that. President issues order to Attorney General and Director CI. Attorney General amd CI Director issue orders to field. Investigate. Indict. Prosecute.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Rolling over the odometer here past 1,000"

I heard the prize for getting 1000 was a bright shiny new "Go Pat Go" button.

I can't wait, I hope the code words are etched on the back.

It would save so much time!

[GOP_1900AD]

How about a "George, Go Right" button!

[hchutch]

Gee, sounds like an America I want to live in. Comply with our economic policy OR ELSE...

/sarcasm

[ARCADIA]

It is indeed a fantasy to propose eliminating the income tax without addressing Federal Spending.

I said reduce the income tax, to historical levels (I doubt that we can eliminate it entirely). On the other side of the equation:

1) the dollar would strengthen as the trade balance improves.
2) the demand on public spending would be reduce by the the increase in employment/reduction in unemployment/widening democratization of the tax base. When everyone pays taxes, everyone benefits from reducing the tax rate.
3) The burden of the regulatory environment will begin to abate as the trade off between supply and price becomes more apparent. The 50 states would probably race among themselves to reduce their regulatory burden. The one who reduces the most gets the benefit of new and revamped production facilities.
4) We would become much more self dependent for energy and defense purposes.
5) We would have some leverage with which to pry open new world marketplaces on a more even or even preferential basis. (eg. we drop our tarriffs on colombian coffee if they give us a prferential market for US computer products)

[Poohbah]

I can't wait for his show trials of "wreckers" and "saboteurs." Uncle Joe would be SO proud of him.

[Mad Dawgg]

"How about a "George, Go Right" button!"

You forgot the rest of the text: George, Go Right home and pack cause someone else lives at 1600 Penssylvania Ave. now!

The button would have to be bigger or the text smaller so you could fit it all in!

[WOSG]

Special prize: You get the neo-con to paleo-con secret decoder ring.

Converts any Weekly Standard op-ed into a Pat Buchanan broadside.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I can't wait for his show trials of "wreckers" and "saboteurs." Uncle Joe would be SO proud of him."

I wonder if membership in the Anti-shopkeeper/merchant league will be mandatory! I hope I can affored the dues!

[Mad Dawgg]

"Special prize: You get the neo-con to paleo-con secret decoder ring.

Converts any Weekly Standard op-ed into a Pat Buchanan broadside."

Oh praise the Lord, praise the Lord! My prayers have been answered!

[WOSG]

" I said reduce the income tax, to historical levels"

Define "historical levels" ? 1979? 1913?
What % of GNP should the income tax attempt to garner?

If the point is that replacing X dollars of income tax with X dollars with tarriffs would help the economy, I agree - to a point. As I indicated, that point would probably be where the tax rates cross (for example, bring tariff up to 20% and tax rates down to 20%).

[ARCADIA]

We should consider 1913-2003 as range of possible structures, and aim for something like what we had during the 1950-1970 timeframe. The point that we can agree on is that there is room for improvement.

[PGalt]

Job entitled victocrats certainly aren't economic free-agents. What is lost are your reasoning skills.-me

I'll admit that I used to be a lot more reasonable when I had a job.

-you

That's a realistic statement. So get a job. While your at it get 2. Sharpen your skills. You are an economic free-agent. You have value to offer any employer. Band together with like minded freepers and start a business. I have worked two jobs for the better part of 35 years. I worked 3 once (for 3 months) and 4 once (for 1 year). I currently work 2 (starting my 4th year) and am enjoying both, have been promoted in both, and still have time to enjoy my family and to freep...but I go on about 5-6 hours of sleep. My first day off this year (other than using vacation days) was the Friday of the power failure. You can do it snopercod.

[Poohbah]

We should consider 1913-2003 as range of possible structures, and aim for something like what we had during the 1950-1970 timeframe.

Oh, fer gawds' sake, you just endorsed as high as a 90% marginal income tax rate!

Yeah, great idea! Bravo! Very conservative!

Are you Howard Dean's drinking buddy?

[Mad Dawgg]

"Oh, fer gawds' sake, you just endorsed as high as a 90% marginal income tax rate!"

You must understand, we must do what we must to save our jobs, besides its for the children you know.

[Mad Dawgg]

"So get a job. While your at it get 2. Sharpen your skills."

No I do not want to change... it is a moral imperative that the US government provide me with a job at a salary of my chosing and free healthcare for my entire working career! Further I want free prescription drugs and all the ice cream I can eat.

Oh Yeah and I want a pony!

And I want it now or I am voting for Dean!

[Texas_Dawg]

Yes, I have. You just disliked what I said.

Haha. I love this with paleos. They ask for this and that and then I finally just say, "Fine...", and do the research and show it to them and they just roll right on in their rhetoric without missing a beat. They have this incredible ability to not only disagree with the information you give them but to pretend you never even gave it to them just a little while later.

[WOSG]

YIKES! 1950-1970 era income tax??? Sorry that is the *worst* time period - the top rate was 98% on income!!!

Frankly, what we have today is better than that. Much better. You want better? Go to the 1920s - top rate of 25%, and only on millionaires.

[Mad Dawgg]

"(Your little sob stories are very touching... really... but they make for lousy fiscal policy.)"

Hehehe you old Dawg you!