Good idea or Bad idea?

[marks2065 0]

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>Instead of free trade we should have equal trade when our regulations are
>maintained. meaning foriegn companies that sell here in the US should
>follow our regulations.

So instead of a tariff, you would want a ban on all foreign trade (since no country follows another's regulations.)

There would no faster way to destroy our economy.

there is no simple answer to this situation, but I think we should put some tarrifs on foriegn companies that don't follow some things like osha and epa guidelines. ease the regulations and tariffs in slowly and see how it works. We need to make the US a profitable place to do business

[wmw999 2,452]

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level playing field for companies to compete while staying here in the US

Which would mean either that they'd be paying the same wages that they do overseas (probably not a popular option for their employees) or heavy tariffs (not smart, as mentioned by Bill)

Reducing the overhead of environmental controls and job safety probably would not reduce the cost to be comparable to what they pay overseas, even taking transportation into account.

It's possible to manufacture stuff in the US, but it's expensive, and it takes quite a bit of work to keep it competitive. Publicly-traded companies aren't willing to do that as a rule; remember that the stockholders are all about this quarter's profits.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 2,998]

>We need to make the US a profitable place to do business

But your plan wouldn't do that; it wouldn't change business in the US one bit. It would just make other countries unprofitable places to do business.

We can no longer compete on manufacturing jobs because US citizens are not willing to work in conditions, or for salaries, that people in other countries are. (I suspect you are not willing to take a 90% pay cut just to "be competitive!") However, we can compete in other areas - telecommunications, net-based services, consumer electronics design etc. That's what we should be concentrating on.

I think it's a mistake to try to cripple our foreign trade in order to give us a leg up. It's far better that we give ourselves a leg up by making better (not cheaper, but better) products than the rest of the world. If we cannot do that we do not deserve to succeed.

[marks2065 0]

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>We need to make the US a profitable place to do business

But your plan wouldn't do that; it wouldn't change business in the US one bit. It would just make other countries unprofitable places to do business.

We can no longer compete on manufacturing jobs because US citizens are not willing to work in conditions, or for salaries, that people in other countries are. (I suspect you are not willing to take a 90% pay cut just to "be competitive!") However, we can compete in other areas - telecommunications, net-based services, consumer electronics design etc. That's what we should be concentrating on.

I think it's a mistake to try to cripple our foreign trade in order to give us a leg up. It's far better that we give ourselves a leg up by making better (not cheaper, but better) products than the rest of the world. If we cannot do that we do not deserve to succeed.

people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

[airdvr 210]

Widen your viewpoint. It's not just the US that might want better products.

Question...in what country is the best skydiving equipment made? Do they sell it just in the US?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[billvon 2,998]

>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

[marks2065 0]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

every one on the left thinks you can, just ask Obama and biden

[marks2065 0]

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Widen your viewpoint. It's not just the US that might want better products.

Question...in what country is the best skydiving equipment made? Do they sell it just in the US?

I understand your point but what do you do after the sales of the product becomes large enough for a major overseas company to produce and undercut the US company? that is the problem, every time we produce a product and work out the bugs an overseas company picks it up and produces it cheaper. that leaves the company in a difficult spot to stay competitive. now they need to cut quality, pay or move to a different country to stay in business.

[billvon 2,998]

>every one on the left thinks you can . . .

You were just talking about it (legislating protectionist tariffs to help US companies succeed) - are you telling us you're swinging to the left?

[marks2065 0]

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>every one on the left thinks you can . . .

You were just talking about it (legislating protectionist tariffs to help US companies succeed) - are you telling us you're swinging to the left?

no not at all, I think gov needs to get out of the way and let business work. Since Obama is not going to do that I would rather see him direct his policies at businesses in other countries to help level the field.

[wmw999 2,452]

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every time we produce a product and work out the bugs an overseas company picks it up and produces it cheaper

Welcome to unfettered capitalism.

They can keep developing new products, they can continue to provide such good and predictable goods that people pay a small premium (it DOES happen -- how many people buy PD reserves?), they can work to make their product line more efficient.

There are things we'll never compete well in, simply because the standard of living that our workforce enjoys is too high.

Brazil experimented with strong protectionism in the 1980's, and it was a disaster. Argentina did, too. Why would it be different for the US? As soon as industries know that they are protected, they don't have to work as hard, do they?

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[billvon 2,998]

>Since Obama is not going to do that I would rather see him direct his
>policies at businesses in other countries to help level the field.

If the Chinese government wanted you to start obeying Chinese law, in a manner that harmed your business - how would you respond to that request?

[marks2065 0]

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>Since Obama is not going to do that I would rather see him direct his
>policies at businesses in other countries to help level the field.

If the Chinese government wanted you to start obeying Chinese law, in a manner that harmed your business - how would you respond to that request?

no not make china adapt, only the companies that want to do business in the US.

[billvon 2,998]

>no not make china adapt, only the companies that want to do business in the US.

OK. If a foreign government wanted you to start obeying a foreign law, in a manner that harmed your business - how would you respond to that
request?

[marks2065 0]

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>no not make china adapt, only the companies that want to do business in the US.

OK. If a foreign government wanted you to start obeying a foreign law, in a manner that harmed your business - how would you respond to that
request?

I already would have to follow the laws of that country if I wanted to do business in that country. Same if you want to do business here.

[billvon 2,998]

>I already would have to follow the laws of that country if I wanted to
>do business in that country.

In that country - yes. With that country - no. You do not have to submit to Chinese control of your internet access if you buy a Chinese made chair at Wal-Mart.

[Rstanley0312 1]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

Life is all about ass....either you're kicking it, kissing it, working it off, or trying to get a piece of it.
Muff Brother #4382 Dudeist Skydiver #000
www.fundraiseadventure.com

[Amazon 7]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

[Rstanley0312 1]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

Ah yes but then again I have to point out.... there is NO such thing as "fair". Nothing in life is fair..... nothing.

Life is all about ass....either you're kicking it, kissing it, working it off, or trying to get a piece of it.
Muff Brother #4382 Dudeist Skydiver #000
www.fundraiseadventure.com

[Amazon 7]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

Ah yes but then again I have to point out.... there is NO such thing as "fair". Nothing in life is fair..... nothing.

Bottom line for me.. is if you want to fuck us with your protectionist crap.. we get to fuck you back.
Fair enough????

[airdvr 210]

Quote

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck

What have you done with Bill and when will he be back?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[Rstanley0312 1]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

Ah yes but then again I have to point out.... there is NO such thing as "fair". Nothing in life is fair..... nothing.

Bottom line for me.. is if you want to fuck us with your protectionist crap.. we get to fuck you back.
Fair enough????

Fair enough but they have the upper hand in the form of money we owe them.

Life is all about ass....either you're kicking it, kissing it, working it off, or trying to get a piece of it.
Muff Brother #4382 Dudeist Skydiver #000
www.fundraiseadventure.com

[Amazon 7]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

Ah yes but then again I have to point out.... there is NO such thing as "fair". Nothing in life is fair..... nothing.

Bottom line for me.. is if you want to fuck us with your protectionist crap.. we get to fuck you back.
Fair enough????

Fair enough but they have the upper hand in the form of money we owe them.

And how much of that money that is owed is due to the crap I talked about above???

Trade deficits with China Inc???
The highly undervalued yuan???
Business using slave labor of chinese prisoners to produce goods for sale in the USA??

[Rstanley0312 1]

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>people in the US for the most part don't want better products, they want
>cheaper products so your Idea won't work.

Then we deserve to fail for our own foolish and self-defeating wants.

You cannot legislate success; you can only make it happen through hard work, good preparation, good planning and a healthy dose of luck.

Here we go again..... this is the second time in recent history when I get to say..... Bill I totally agree with you and the post I'm replying to sounds a little "right" for you

This move is not a good one in my opinion. All it does is say F#*k you to someone we owe a lot of money to but it also is going to hurt our ability to sell goods in the long run. this is the kind of thinking that gets us in more trouboe and what has turned the unions in to what they are today.

The problem for me is free trade. To me to have free trade there should not be government interference....BUT..there also has to be FAIR trade for that to work. If you have a country that unfairly keeps their currency controlled and and undervalued all out of proportion to market forces you do not have a scenario that can be seen as free OR fair trade.

Also to have free and fair trade you can not have a government providing subsidies to their companies which destroys other countries companies abilities to compete fairly.

Ah yes but then again I have to point out.... there is NO such thing as "fair". Nothing in life is fair..... nothing.

Bottom line for me.. is if you want to fuck us with your protectionist crap.. we get to fuck you back.
Fair enough????

Fair enough but they have the upper hand in the form of money we owe them.

And how much of that money that is owed is due to the crap I talked about above???

Trade deficits with China Inc???
The highly undervalued yuan???
Business using slave labor of chinese prisoners to produce goods for sale in the USA??

Sure but they still have the upper hand.

Life is all about ass....either you're kicking it, kissing it, working it off, or trying to get a piece of it.
Muff Brother #4382 Dudeist Skydiver #000
www.fundraiseadventure.com

[Amazon 7]

Do they really?