[DugwayDuke]

To add to the idea that tariffs are a means to fund gov't, not to "protect jobs and wages", I would be all for a relatively steep, across the board tariff on ALL imported goods, if it meant a matching reduction in our income tax."

Never happen because the politicians realize that tariffs are an unreliable way to fund government compared to income taxes. No matter how high they raise income taxes, you still have to work. But, tariffs can be avoided by switching sources.

But the main reason's I don't like tariffs are I'm afraid we'd get stuck with both tariffs and income taxes and we'd also get stuck with inferior domestic products. I've seen what stiff competition from the Japanese have done for the quality, cost, and performance of everything from automobiles to electronics. Tariffs stiffle that kind of competition and ultimately hurt the consumer.

[Tokhtamish]

The vital point you seem incapable of grasping is that the Japan of the 1980's was not the Japan of the 1930's. It was not an ambitious rival power dreaming of one day being a superpower. Like China is now.

Allowing American manufacturing to flow to China, subordinating our long term national security to shareholder equity is stupid.

[BMiles2112]

Never happen because the politicians realize that tariffs are an unreliable way to fund government compared to income taxes. No matter how high they raise income taxes, you still have to work. But, tariffs can be avoided by switching sources.
I know, but it would be nice.

You're right about the last part. American automobile quality SUCKED compared to what the Japanese brought in with the CVCC and others. American auto quality has been improving ever since and in some cases is aproaching the reliability of the "foreigns" (quotes because they are mostly built in the US now.) The big winners have been everyone who owns a vehicle.

[harpseal]

But the main reason's I don't like tariffs are I'm afraid we'd get stuck with both tariffs and income taxes and we'd also get stuck with inferior domestic products. I've seen what stiff competition from the Japanese have done for the quality, cost, and performance of everything from automobiles to electronics. Tariffs stiffle that kind of competition and ultimately hurt the consumer.

Somne evidence for your concern. I have yet to see any proof of any harm from tariffs. the most anyone has been able to offer so far is that whentariffs were removed the industry suffered no ill effects. Tariffs are clearly Constritutional including protective tariffs.

I love the fact that a so called conservative is defending the icome tax over tariffs.