The "Jobs" plan

[hollohas]

Two words. Smoot and Hawley.

The global economy is a million times different now than it was in the 30's. It is simply a bad idea to base today's global economic strategies on an era that doesn't have the same issues as we have now...

[Bailey Guns]

I hear ya. I'm generally VERY anti-union nor am I sympathetic to their bullshit. The unions will be the first to throw newer workers under the bus when times get tough.

[Sharpienads]

There is a golden answer. It's called the free market. It's called the federal government only doing what they're supposed to do. Every time they get involved in the market, there are "unintended consequences". In a free market, if you don't like a company's business practices, than don't do business with them. If enough people feel the same way, they will go out of business.

We have to be responsible consumers. Tariffs don't create responsible consumers, they try to control consumer habits. And just like with everything else, the more we rely on the government to do for us, the less we do for ourselves.

I for one believe in the free market. Sure, there will be some government involvement. There's no getting away from that. But the less government there is and the more responsible we are for ourselves, the better.

[tmleadr03]

The global economy is a million times different now than it was in the 30's. It is simply a bad idea to base today's global economic strategies on an era that doesn't have the same issues as we have now...

Granted it is a different world but what did we learn from Smoot-Hawley? That if we raise our tariff, everyone else will as well. Do you see that outcome being different? We raise our tariffs and now it is more expensive to buy goods produced outside this country. They raise tariffs and now it is too expensive for them to buy our goods. Who wins?


How would the outcome be different now?


I say drop corporate taxes (actually I really like a flat tax on everyone, corporations included of about 15% or a consumption tax i.e. The Fair Tax) and make it more profitable for manufactures to bring business here. The only tariffs we should have should match EXACTLY what the other country is doing to us. They tack on 10% we tack on 10%. That is it.

[Sharpienads]

I hear ya. I'm generally VERY anti-union nor am I sympathetic to their bullshit. The unions will be the first to throw newer workers under the bus when times get tough.

I don't have a problem with collective bargaining or unions if:

1-One union per company
2-Totally voluntary
3-Secret Ballots
4-The owner doesn't have to give you what you want
5-You are prepared to get fired because you want too much

But one union (UAW) for 3 different, competing companies? How does that make any sense at all?

[Byte Stryke]

The global economy is a million times different now than it was in the 30's. It is simply a bad idea to base today's global economic strategies on an era that doesn't have the same issues as we have now...

agreed

I hear ya. I'm generally VERY anti-union nor am I sympathetic to their bullshit. The unions will be the first to throw newer workers under the bus when times get tough.

agreed


and that's all i got ta say about that.

[Marlin]

You guys do realize that the minimum wage is tied by a percentage to the upper level union pay scale?

I can't remember all the figures, but the upper level union scale has to be "X" $ above the minimum wage.

So, the unions always have a vested interest in making sure that the MW is raised every so often.

That is the main reason it needs to go.

[Byte Stryke]

You guys do realize that the minimum wage is tied by a percentage to the upper level union pay scale?

I can't remember all the figures, but the upper level union scale has to be "X" $ above the minimum wage.

So, the unions always have a vested interest in making sure that the MW is raised every so often.

That is the main reason it needs to go.

So you would pull the rug from under everyone... to "get back" at the unions?

[tmleadr03]

So you would pull the rug from under everyone... to "get back" at the unions?

Minimum wage is a bad thing anyways. Unions, while they have done good in the past, are a cancer on this country.

[Sharpienads]

The minimum wage is not sound economic policy. It'e the same kind of thinking that says, "gas is too expensive, let's cap it at $3.00 per gallon". Another very bad idea.

When you put a price floor or ceiling on a product or service, you upset the market equilibrium price, and you either get shortages or surpluses. Either way, the market isn't functioning as productive as it could be.

And if the MW is such a great idea, like another guy said, why stop at $7.50, or whatever it's at now? Why not make it $15.00? Then everyone would be making twice as much. Hell, make it $20.00 an hour, then everyone will be even better off!