There’s Still No Economic Case for New Tariffs

[Reynolds]

Not if it affects my bottom line adversely.

Short term pain for long term gain.

 

[KenH]

One of the main things I have become disgusted with over the 60 years that I have followed politics is how two-faced people are. They will oppose a policy or support a policy if "their guy" is not in power, and then take the complete opposite position on the same policies if "their guy" is in power.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Short term pain for long term gain.

I don’t believe that. Who is promoting this, Peter Nivero? concentrate on getting the economy in line, the oil flowing again, and getting Tom Holman support in ridding towns across America from illegials as was promised. Oh and let’s see if we couldn’t prosecute creeps like Biden & Son, Fauci etc. That’s what I expect from Trump

 

[KenH]

Oh and let’s see if we couldn’t prosecute creeps like Biden & Son, Fauci

For breaking what law?

 

[KenH]

This is another problem with carnal, worldly politics. The MAGA get in power and yell, "Prosecute the Progressives!"; the Progressives get in power and yell, "Prosecute the MAGA!"

It's no wonder that the United States is a world empire in decline regardless of whether the MAGA or the Progressives are in power.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

For breaking what law?

Don’t act like you don’t know

 

[KenH]

Don’t act like you don’t know

I honestly don't know. Not liking someone's policies or their actions or even the results are not grounds for prosecution.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This is another problem with carnal, worldly politics. The MAGA get in power and yell, "Prosecute the Progressives!"; the Progressives get in power and yell, "Prosecute the MAGA!"

It's no wonder that the United States is a world empire in decline regardless of whether the MAGA or the Progressives are in power.

I’m neither MAGA or Progressive. My friends father was a US GI and helped liberate NAZI concentration camps. This GI was born in Pre war Germany and moved to the USA as a kid. When he liberated the camps they used to make the CC guards remove their shirts and check for NAZI insignia and numbers under the armpits identifying them as NAzI guards….then they were shot. I’m told at one of the camps after liberation the American GI’s shot 500 Nazi prison guards….If I were there, I would shot them as well. I have a low tolerance point for criminality.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I honestly don't know. Not liking someone's policies or their actions or even the results are not grounds for prosecution.

Tell that to Trump. Tell that to those who died with Covid after being told that The shots would protect them, tell that to young that suddenly died after taking shots, tell that to … blah blah. I could go on.

 

[KenH]

Tell that to Trump.

See my post #65 above.

 

[KenH]

If I were there, I would shot them as well. I have a low tolerance point for criminality.

That is why there there serious questions as to whether one can claim to be a Christian and be in the military. I am thankful to God that I was never forced to make a firm decision on the subject after studying it.

 

[JonC]

"Whoever leads the incoming Trump administration’s trade team faces a difficult task. In the face of theoretical flaws, historical experience, and, frankly, common sense, they will have to convince Americans that a policy of deliberate inefficiency and increased costs through higher tariffs will somehow make the country better off. But prosperity through higher taxes on imported goods is neither an intuitive nor easily swallowed argument—and mountains of economic evidence show why.
...
The benefits of free trade and the costs of tariffs remain straightforward, rooted in compelling economic logic, and supported by piles of empirical research. Tariffs’ net economic harms are one of the few issues on which almost all economists — left, right, and center — agree. Raising costs and introducing barriers to the efficient production of goods — and inviting other countries to respond in kind — will harm American consumers and businesses and ultimately harm the US economy overall. Try as protectionists might to prove otherwise, protectionism remains an economic loser, and no amount of alchemy will change that fact."

- rest of article at https://www.cato.org/blog/trump-teams-case-new-tariffs-remains-daunting

I don't think the case has to be made for raising tariffs as the current administration already raised tariffs on certain goods (some by 100%) which has been in effect for over 4 months.

Have we ever had a time we didn't impose tariffs?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

That is why there there serious questions as to whether one can claim to be a Christian and be in the military. I am thankful to God that I was never forced to make a firm decision on the subject after studying it.

Are you suggesting that the US Military isn’t Christian?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I don't think the case has to be made for raising tariffs as the current administration already raised tariffs on certain goods (some by 100%) which has been in effect for over 4 months.

Have we ever had a time we didn't impose tariffs?

No…it’s a smoke screen

 

[JonC]

I don't think the case has to be made for raising tariffs as the current administration already raised tariffs on certain goods (some by 100%) which has been in effect for over 4 months.

Have we ever had a time we didn't impose tariffs?

Never mind the question, @KenH . I found the info. Since 1789 there has not been a time had a time we imposed no tariffs.

 

[JonC]

No…it’s a smoke screen

I kinda like the way it was when our nation relied on tariffs rather than an income tax.

 

[KenH]

Since 1789 there has not been a time had a time we imposed no tariffs.

Of course not. People in power are always trying to mess with free markets and free trade.

 

[KenH]

I kinda like the way it was when our nation relied on tariffs rather than an income tax.

That would require going back at least to the size of government the U.S. had in the 1890s.

The issue with doing so nowadays is the same as trying to switch from the income tax to a national sales tax to replace it.

We now have a consumerist economy and the American people would not stomach the drastically huge prices they would pay at the cash register or at online checkout.

 

[JonC]

Of course not. People in power are always trying to mess with free markets and free trade.

Thing is, for a long time our nation was funded by tariffs instead of an income tax.

We really cannot have free-trade. The tax may be in the form of a tariffs, a sales tax, income tax, or some other way of making income from trade. It may be hidden, but it's there.

 

[KenH]

Now, would I like going back to a government the size of that of the 1890s? Absolutely! I want to go back to the size of government that existed with the Articles of Confederation of 1781.