Then when questions come down to "outsourcing", the Libertarian answer is "STFU, Learn to Be competititve." The Libertarian never talks about raising tariffs until the US worker can be more competitive, rather, the talk is always one of "Screw you, I want to buy things at rock bottom prices", and the only way that this can be done is by getting these products from anyone other than an American.
When Libertarians return back to Earth and recognize that as long as massive taxes and onerous regulation stay in place, the US worker will never be competitive. If you believe that taxes and regulation need to be removed FIRST, then say so, otherwise when all you folks say is "tough luck", then it will be natural to assume that you adore high taxes and regulation on your neighbor, and lawlessness for yourself.
Just putting a leash on EEOC lawsuits (where a SECRET MATHEMATICAL FORMULA will determine if you're a racist or not, without any chance for you to argue against the label) would do a lot to restore American competitiveness--and fixing a few more egregiously bad things (tort reform) will start sending jobs back here.
About all that can be said about tariffs is that they give politicians more money to misallocate, and allow them to avoid grappling with the difficult issues created by 70+ years of viewing American business as some sort of domestic enemy to alternately shoot in the kneecap or leech blood from...
K
"Screw you, I want to buy things at rock bottom prices", and the only way that this can be done is by getting these products from anyone other than an American.
Sort of a gross generalization, no? There are many products that are best purchased from Americans. St Croix (fishing) Rods comes to mind. Foreign-built rods are cheaper, but of lesser quality. Certainly in this case, and American has stepped in to fill a void and been successful.
When Libertarians return back to Earth and recognize that as long as massive taxes and onerous regulation stay in place, the US worker will never be competitive. If you believe that taxes and regulation need to be removed FIRST, then say so,
Of course they believe that, but who's responsibility is it to lobby for removal of those regulations? It's certainly not in my best interest to expend capital (money, time, energy) removing a regulation that does me little or no good - remember, I can buy from a foreign competitor who is already free of such.
I guess it'd be interesting to see where you'd end up taking your argument to its conclusion, but from its start it looks like you're saying that Americans are too lazy to create opportunity for themselves. I'd have to disagree and there are sufficient counterexamples to disprove it.