Why tariffs?

[Politruk]

In the 19th Century, the stated purpose of tariffs was to protect America's nascent industry from competition from the more fully developed British and German industries.

Just until American industry itself was advanced enough to compete globally.

That point was passed a long time ago.

When Trump talks about tariffs, he seems to mean protection for American jobs. But if that is the point -- then Congress could simply make it illegal for American businesses to employ labor in foreign countries. Ban the practice -- entirely standard practice since the 1970s -- of outsourcing/offshoring operations to countries where labor is cheaper.

Why doesn't Trump talk about that?

 

[Bray123]

Trump just wants to raise taxes, but his cultists are so fucking dumb that all he needs to do is call them 'tariffs' and they think that it's a good idea.

 

[MajorRewrite]

When Trump talks about tariffs, he seems to mean protection for American jobs. But if that is the point -- then Congress could simply make it illegal for American businesses to employ labor in foreign countries. Ban the practice -- entirely standard practice since the 1970s -- of outsourcing/offshoring operations to countries where labor is cheaper.

Why doesn't Trump talk about that?

It would be ineffective. Companies could still outsource production to foreign companies, without hiring foreign workers of their own. That’s a common practice already.

Trump just wants to raise taxes, but his cultists are so fucking dumb that all he needs to do is call them 'tariffs' and they think that it's a good idea.

Agreed. Trump wants regressive taxes that disproportionately impact lower income people. Tariffs fit the bill nicely. Meanwhile he’ll cut income taxes on the rich again.

 

[Politruk]

What Trump's white working-class base wants is to bring back the time in America -- roughly from WWII to the mid-1970s -- when it was possible for a white man at least, with only a high-school education to earn a middle-class income.

Of course, the reason that was possible was that labor unions were so strong, then.

Trump never talks about bringing back unions, either.

 

[Saint_Ann]

I think it's a shot across the bow to our "trading partners" that things are about to change.

 

[ll74]

In the 19th Century, the stated purpose of tariffs was to protect America's nascent industry from competition from the more fully developed British and German industries.

Just until American industry itself was advanced enough to compete globally.

That point was passed a long time ago.

When Trump talks about tariffs, he seems to mean protection for American jobs. But if that is the point -- then Congress could simply make it illegal for American businesses to employ labor in foreign countries. Ban the practice -- entirely standard practice since the 1970s -- of outsourcing/offshoring operations to countries where labor is cheaper.

Why doesn't Trump talk about that?

I posted a good podcast in the pod thread regarding tariffs. Tariffs have an interesting history. Previously, they were the sole source of income for the government and were implemented by Congress. Since then, income tax was implemented and Congress delegated most tariff controls to the President, as a matter of national security.

I enjoy how the MAGA kids are defending their guy by saying that it's just rhetoric to frighten our foes, even while the rhetoric involves our allies to a greater degree.

Our farmers had to be bailed out because of 45's tariffs. I think current tariffs aren't logical and should be rethought. But the kind of tariffs 45 is discussing is bad policy and will lead to higher prices for all of us.

I prefer investment like the chips act, leading to greater global influence on the markets.

 

[Politruk]

I think it's a shot across the bow to our "trading partners" that things are about to change.

Why the scare-quotes?

 

[Bray123]

Tariffs on tea from the British Empire, bad.
Tariffs on washing machines from China, good (but not red caps though).

Tariffs on Secret Service agents staying at Mar a Lardo, good.

 

[Politruk]

Tariffs on tea from the British Empire, bad.

The Boston Tea Party was provoked by a tax cut.

The British Crown cut the duties on tea legally imported by the East India Company -- which made it possible for the Company to undersell American tea smugglers. And smuggling was big business, in colonial Boston.

 

[Politruk]

Now it's looking like the dumbass is actually going to do this!

 

[Saint_Ann]

Could be just a small part of rearranging the entire tax structure.

 

[Politruk]

Could be just a small part of rearranging the entire tax structure.

Trump never talks about doing that. He talks about raising tariffs and about cutting income tax, but each issue in isolation from the other.

 

[dmallord]

Trump never talks about doing that. He talks about raising tariffs and about cutting income tax, but each issue in isolation from the other.

He cannot combine the two issues because he cannot handle two concepts at the same time. For instance, you never see him with McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken together at the same table. That would be too mind-boggling for his sixth-grade thought processor to handle.

 

[TastySuckToy]

you never see him with McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken together at the same table.

Leftist/democrat retarded thinking on display for all: if you don't have KFC and McDonalds on the same table, that's proof of inability to handle two concepts at the same time.

You can't make this shit up.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Trump never talks about doing that. He talks about raising tariffs and about cutting income tax, but each issue in isolation from the other.

He never talks about penguins.

 

[dmallord]

Leftist/democrat retarded thinking on display for all: if you don't have KFC and McDonalds on the same table, that's proof of inability to handle two concepts at the same time.

You can't make this shit up.

Just pointing out the obvious as an illustration of his incompetence and lack of mental acuity. What? You can't distinguish humor and satire when you see or read it?

Nothing is on display but your inability to read between the lines.

See if this is clearly understood: Trump is an asshole, a moron, and a rapist felon who has difficulty comprehending, let alone managing complex concepts. Ask anyone in his former cabinet. They will confirm.

Keep on making up your own shit to support the piece of .

 

[Politruk]

He never talks about penguins.

That will be his doom. The penguins know how to get into the White House. The penguins are waiting for him.

 

[dmallord]

He never talks about penguins.

Because they've all been eaten by the Haitians?

 

[Saint_Ann]

Because they've all been eaten by the Haitians?

All birds are edible.

 

[NewEng]

He never talks about penguins.

 

[Politruk]

xxxx

 

[UltraChad]

Trump just wants to raise taxes,

Screeches like an autistic toddler when Trump cuts taxes.

 

[dmallord]

Leftist/democrat retarded thinking on display for all: if you don't have KFC and McDonalds on the same table, that's proof of inability to handle two concepts at the same time.

You can't make this shit up.

And you can't recognize humor when you read it.

 

[Politruk]

All birds are edible.

This is the Lit. We are only interested in animals we can fuck.

Sorry, Peanut.

 

[Saint_Ann]

This is the Lit. We are only interested in animals we can fuck.

Sorry, Peanut.

Pics or it never happened.