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?

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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.

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A few months ago I listened to a great podcast from Branko Milanovic who held a talk for the LSE. His area of research is the growing inequality of the globe. The hollowing out of the middle class (per Western standards) is hollowing out. The "poor" populace of emerging economies are growing as well as capital owners.



I bought his book but haven't had an opportunity to begin reading it yet.

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.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

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.

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Freedom is our Strength.

That's how 99% of the population is. That's why I think it's easier said than done to try to go back to some sort of protectionism. When we can't get 5 lighters for a quarter at Wal-Mart anymore, people will be pissed. And I don't think you can ever get an entire population to buy something for more money out of an allegiance to local business. It will just never happen.

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

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Elections have consequences.

My Toyota was assembled in Princeton, Indiana.

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You know me like that.

A lot of American auto manufacturers use products made in China. Toyota has plants in the United States. So it's not like it's so cut and dry.

I would consider a foreign car if they could import a little leg room, but that's just me.

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God is the uncaused cause of the universe. He had no beginning and has no end. He is not bound by the laws of the universe he created.

Somebody needs to stop smoking.

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God is the uncaused cause of the universe. He had no beginning and has no end. He is not bound by the laws of the universe he created.

And the Ford was assembled in Mexico. Patriotism fail.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Most of the money gets shipped away though.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

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.

Shipping money doesn't seem wise.

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It's a lot like buying organic....it's damn expensive.

We're just addicted to cheap stuff. The system takes over--you can't even shield your kids from this shit.

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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.

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God is the uncaused cause of the universe. He had no beginning and has no end. He is not bound by the laws of the universe he created.

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

That would suck.

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You know me like that.

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.

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Work barefoot, rube.

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Carrier is doing it

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Ah, details, details ... ain't nobody got time for that.

Anyone know if that 5-cents off sale on green beans is still going on at Walmart?

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

MANY are.

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You know me like that.

Anyone have an actual opinion on this? Where's Someguy?

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Hard to say if it will work or not since he hasn't really said what he's going to do. Tariffs will go up, almost certainly. That will be good for commodities people here in the US most likely. But, retaliation may be a bitch and then we can't export anything.

If he starts screwing with NAFTA, things are going to get real. I don't think he could really "tear it up" but he can make it worthless. I can't imagine that he can materially alter it, though. There's just too much business activity with US corporations that it would impact negatively.

The TPP is dead.

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You know me like that.

Yeah. Where is Someguy?

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Elections have consequences.

Passed out clutching a Smirnoff bottle with both hands.

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

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

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Too much coke...head exploded when Trump won.

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