Buy America, weaken America

usnews ^ | 3/25/06 | Richard J. Newman

[jec41]

I was answering questions in my post. I am older than you but we did well in the 40's. If a TV doesn't exist you don't miss it. If they aren't making any cars you can't buy one. If you or some of he family owned a farm you did not go hungry and you did what was known at the time. I knew many people that were very poor but did not suffer to the extreme. it seems to me things have gotten progressively better as we go along but people are trained to be more dissatisfied. The poor today would have seem rich to most in the 40,s. We had less than 139 million population then and today we have more than double. Than in itself is a big change. I saw marked change starting at about 1948 and it has only gotten better in material goods. I have never been unhappy in any era nor have I ever considered the economy to be anyones fault. Its a joint effort. I am just happy to be here.

[neutrino]

All of which is completely orthogonal to your original objection to tariffs.

As for China - if you don't perceive the Dragon flexing his muscles and licking his chops, you have not been reading the news.

[jec41]

P.S. In the meantime... Where or from whom would you recommened someone learn from? Not everyone was blessed with the advantages and good examples in your family?

It seems that people today are being taught to be more dependent not less. I don't have the answer to your question but everyone should do his part. Its hard to teach people that their security is the knowledge between their ears and not in a government or job. It has to be taught young or learned by experience. If the government or job fails (and they all do in time) they will learn or be left behind.

[Rate_Determining_Step]

> All of which is completely orthogonal to your original objection to tariffs.

Please cite. My arguments against tariffs have been practical arguments grounded in morality.

Perhaps yours have been too? "From each according to his ability..."

[Number57]

By the time I was a teenager I was doing things that would have the child protection agencies in an uproar now and I am glad I did all those things, they taught me to be self-reliant.

Amen to that...

[Number57]

My younger brother said to me recently,"you know, luxuries are getting cheaper all the time but necessities are going sky high". "Thanks, I have been saying that same thing for twenty years", was my reply.

Man, if that doesn't sound like a line out of Tobacco Road or Grapes of Wrath...

[mysterio]

I'm for the tariffs. I want Americans to have a chance to live a good life with manufacturing jobs. Americans with good jobs can buy things and contribute to our economy. Americans with lousy jobs only buy essentials.

[truemiester]

China has tilted the playing field with the manipulation of their currency. I tarrif would tilt it back.

[RipSawyer]

Man, if that doesn't sound like a line out of Tobacco Road or Grapes of Wrath..

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have read both and I totally fail to see the connection, it is simply an observation of fact. Most of the things I consider luxuries are not going up in price or are falling while housing, medical care etc. have gone up enormously. I would say that that type of observation is light years removed from Tobacco Road or Grapes of Wrath, two stories in which people were lucky to be able to stay alive. They certainly were not commenting on the relative prices of luxuries and necessities.

But then you would be far from the first to read something in that is really not there.

[Number57]

Sorry, been too busy to check for replies...

I thought "you know, luxuries are getting cheaper all the time but necessities are going sky high" recalled the story of Tobacco Road, when the son bought the car while the whole family was scrabbling for the smallest morsel to eat. Grandma dies and no one seems to notice. Eventually the car is beaten to scrap metal and they're at square one again.

I'm trying to recall this from memory, so forgive me if I made any major mistakes.

I have to be honest; I don't remember why I brought up Grapes of Wrath, except that maybe it was a study of a different family caught in nearly the same set of circumstances & timeframe. But vastly different in interaction, of course.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Some high quality items are just too cheap. Consumers will not respect items that are priced too low and will treat them as disposibles. I have seen several examples of this recently.

[Number57]

Some high quality items are just too cheap. Consumers will not respect items that are priced too low and will treat them as disposibles. I have seen several examples of this recently. Yeah. Like any electronics item in my living room. Give it up, USA.. no way you're getting the electronic market back. NEVER. And it was birthed here. Sad. Sold out and GONE. Gone. Cabrone.

[1rudeboy]

Meanwhile, your words and actions repudiate everything he sacrificed his life for.

Actually, his death repudiates you.

[neutrino]

Actually, his death repudiates you.

Pounding upon the table again, I see.

Events are developing which will, I think, end globalization. I'm going to enjoy the developments that accomplish that worthy end.

And I look forward to our exchanges during the interim. I shall particularly enjoy your lamentations when free trade dies.

[1rudeboy]

I should at least get some credit for not bringing your drivel to the attention of some of the veterans here. Let me ask you this, if a hundred U.S. soldiers die instead of ten, will it make your argument more persuasive? [hoot]

[neutrino]

I should at least get some credit for not bringing your drivel to the attention of some of the veterans here.

A very good point. But then I never suggested that you weren't a perfectly fine fellow - even if (sadly) misguided regarding f.t.

Let me ask you this, if a hundred U.S. soldiers die instead of ten, will it make your argument more persuasive? [hoot]

It is well that you add the "hoot" to the statement, since it shows that you intend humor. I agree, the premise of the statement is hilarious.

[1rudeboy]

I didn't intend the comment to be humorous, I intended to show derision. It's a real question: try answering it, if you can. [hoot]

[neutrino]

I didn't intend the comment to be humorous, I intended to show derision. It's a real question: try answering it, if you can. [hoot]

Oh, come now. You're a clever fellow; you can communicate more effectively than that.

That said, if more people make the supreme sacrifice for their country, it casts those unwilling to spend a few extra dollars in an even harsher light.

[1rudeboy]

What about those "unwilling to spend a few extra dollars" that have made the supreme sacrifice for their country? Not patriots, either?

[neutrino]

What about those "unwilling to spend a few extra dollars" that have made the supreme sacrifice for their country? Not patriots, either?

I'm sure that their spirits are on my side. I challenge you to prove me wrong.