I think it boils down to a zero-sum game: helping a smaller number of people in a major way, but hurting more in a small way. For example, we all enjoy low prices on the stuff now being made in China and Mexico. It saves us a few bucks. But to the person here who lost his job, it's an extremely big deal and motivates him more to vote for the candidate who promises to get it back than it does for the vast majority who are benefiting on a broader but smaller scale on price.

If Trump could wave a magic wand and create a million new jobs (ie., taking them from abroad), but it meant significantly higher prices on TVs, air conditioners, clothes, etc., would people be in favor of that? That seems to be the crux of the matter.

The same people who claim to love small business shop at Walmart so they can save five cents on a can of green beans, while putting mom and pop out of business.

Yes. My brother-in-law is one of those guys. He speaks so fondly of the little mom-and-pops and laments the loss when one of them closes down, he'll go in one and look around and enjoy the old time feel, but when he wants to buy something he'll drive five miles to Costco.

Buy American went away with Subarus and Toyotas. Now the only loyals left are bikers with Harleys and tradesmen with F150s.

Buy American went away with Subarus and Toyotas. Now the only loyals left are bikers with Harleys and tradesmen with F150s.

When we can't get 5 lighters for a quarter at Wal-Mart anymore, people will be pissed.

My Toyota was assembled in Princeton, Indiana.

My Toyota was assembled in Princeton, Indiana.

Buy American went away with Subarus and Toyotas. Now the only loyals left are bikers with Harleys and tradesmen with F150s.

Most of the money gets shipped away though.

Buy American is still around. For example, there are number clothes manufacturers experiencing a small renaissance. However, their clothes in your price range if you're a single person/DINK pulling a yuppie salary. A cottage industry of MiUSA products focused on extracting yuppie's discretionary income is growing nicely.

Buy American is still around. For example, there are number clothes manufacturers experiencing a small renaissance. However, their clothes in your price range if you're a single person/DINK pulling a yuppie salary.

Saying "buy American" is the financial equivalent of telling everyone to "shop at Whole Foods." The food at Whole Foods might be more organic, but people still have a budget on what they can afford. Spending more money on American goods might benefit jobs in some ways, but it doesn't benefit people who can't afford more.

Pretty much. Summed up nicely by the Sam Vimes Boots Theory in Men At Arms.

Buying a pair a boots for $200 bucks that lasts 5 years leaves you wealthier than buying 5 pairs for $50 each year.

But if you don't have money, you can't plan ahead like that.

I'd hate to be an executive opening a new facility in Mexico City right now.

That would suck.

But if you don't have money, you can't plan ahead like that.

Carrier is doing it

I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this. MANY are cheering Donald for his threats of "re-negotiating trade deals" and imposing tariffs. I'd be curious how many think that will genuinely work.

I'm not saying it wouldn't, but there was a large portion of economists who thought that economic globalization was inevitable in the '80s, let alone now that labor and capital has already been exported to other countries.

Do we really think this works? I honestly don't know, but I have my reservations... and his rhetoric here is anything but Conservative.

Midge, whaddya think?

Yeah. Where is Someguy?

Yeah. Where is Someguy?

He's at home ... washing his tights!.

Yeah. Where is Someguy?