dagblog - Comments for "Jim Webb's PAC questioned."

Trade barriers don't just

Michael Wolraich — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 01:47:43 +0000

In reply to Michael, good article, going

Trade barriers don't just increase the cost of imports; they indirectly increase the cost of domestic products by reducing price competition. That said, I'm sympathetic to the need to bolster US manufacturing against foreign competitors with fewer regulations and lower labor costs. I just don't know a way to do it without inviting corporate manipulation. I'll read that Galbraith article though.

Michael, good article, going

Oxy Mora — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:48:09 +0000

In reply to Historical irony note. The

Michael, good article, going back a way, 2007, American Prospect, by Galbraith---"Why Populists need to re-think Trade."

I'm not a fan of trade

Oxy Mora — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:19:47 +0000

In reply to Historical irony note. The

I'm not a fan of trade barriers to protect workers. Rising prices of imports cut the purchasing power of wage earners. Better to have corporations improve their own products, provide more benefits to employees.

Historical irony note. The

Michael Wolraich — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:59:38 +0000

In reply to Btw, with respect to free

Historical irony note. The original populists from the late 1800s wanted to reduce trade barriers. The U.S. had a huge import tariffs back then, as high as 50% on some products. American corporations loved tariffs because they provided a competitive edge over foreign exporters and smaller domestic producers. They used their political influence to dictate tariff legislation to Congress much the way modern companies manipulate corporate subsidies.

High tariffs meant high prices for consumers--essentially a hidden sales tax that boosted corporate profits. Populist politicians blamed the tariffs for raising the cost of living and encouraging corporate consolidation.

I think about this sometimes when people call for raising trade barriers to protect workers. Like agricultural subsidies for small farmers, it seems like a good idea in principle, but once corporations get their hands on the legislation, the result will look much different from what proponents intended, and it will be almost impossible to take back.

Thanks. That's definitely a

Michael Wolraich — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:34:24 +0000

In reply to Thanks for comments, Michael.

Thanks. That's definitely a populist position, and I would love to see it happen. If he runs, I hope that he makes it a centerpiece of his campaign.

Btw, with respect to free

Verified Atheist — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:58:03 +0000

In reply to Populists seek to empower

Btw, with respect to free trade, it's important to note this vote which, at its surface at least, appears to contradict his 2006 position:

Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)

Thanks for comments, Michael.

Oxy Mora — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:56:48 +0000

In reply to Populists seek to empower

Thanks for comments, Michael. One of Webb's most important and courageous positions is to raise tax rates on capital gains and dividends and he refers to research indicating that these two rates have been key in the increasing wealth disparities over the last decade. Raising these rates is redistribution---which I favor even in my position as a small business owner..

I don't cotton to the gun rights stuff and small government razzle dazzle but I could stomach it if we can bring fairness in the financial sector.

Thanks, VA.

Oxy Mora — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:29:41 +0000

In reply to Here would be a few votes

Thanks, VA.

Lots of glue traps

Michael Wolraich — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:57:38 +0000

In reply to Now how are you going to

Lots of glue traps

Now how are you going to

Verified Atheist — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:46:00 +0000

In reply to Populists seek to empower

Now how are you going to empower farmers without gun rights? How else are they supposed to exterminate their prairie dogs and other vermin?