(01-24-2018, 09:44 AM)EricC85 Wrote: First let's all agree there is a problem with American manufacturing vs the global market with lower quality and cheaper wages. It's impossible for many domestic manufactures to offer the same price as foreign competitors but we have to be honest why if we really want to address the problem. American labor laws, regulations, and EPA requirements factor heavily into domestic manufacturing cost. The other factor is taxes, which has been partially addressed with the new tax law, but that's only one of the four real cost driver's. 

Instead of addressing the other three cost driving factors domestically we've elected to take the short cut and imposse selective Tarrifs. Which in turn is simply selective taxation. Instead of addressing our cost driver's we are now arbitrarily increase the cost of other selective goods. This is an end game loss, it undercuts the free markets ability to control supply and demand and sets a precident that the state should decide when a playing field is to unfair and impose selective taxation. 

You want American manufacturing to compete you say but I'll bet most people would oppose what it would really take to compete. It would take eliminating minimum wage, allowing children as young as 14 to work and rolling back regulations on interstate commerce. 

I'd support all three of those as opposed to Tarrifs. Where does it stop now? Why solar and washer machines? This is crony capitalism and any consrvative or libertarian should voice opposition to it.

Hello again, old friend.   Again, I have to disagree with your PREMISE!  

In the main, as it pertains to the best way to enhance and maintain America's competitiveness in the global Markets, I agree with you.  Moreover the PRESIDENT and the CURRENT ADMINISTRAITON agrees with you.  I humbly ask that you please take yes for an answer.  

This past year was probably the single largest cut in the regulatory state since Wilson/Roosevelt took us down the dark path of the ACTIVE STATE.  
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/..._22-1.html

For any 1 new rule proposed by the Executive branch some 20 were eliminated.  And for the first time in our lifetimes we are seeing tangible year to year DECREASES in the size of federal agencies.  

As for labor, the key areas of the Trump Victory were Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.  The first two are already right to work states and the third is trending in that direction.  

It is undeniable that this administrations view of global competitiveness is firmly based in supply side economics, in addition to the massive corporate tax reform that we just passed.  The average corporate tax rate in Europe was 18.5% (places like Ireland as low as 15%) ours was 35% now were dropping to 21%. The largest Tariff on the books was the repatriation tax that has been lowered.  

Massive Deregulation and tax cuts over the entire economy vs. two or three targeted tariffs against Currency Manipulators, Administrative barriers, Subsidized industries, or countries that themselves impose massive Tariffs?

---