The Soapbox

Joined: 02/27/2004 Posts: 1367
Likes: 2909

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Good article, good post

It has really been unwatchable for me to catch a glimpse of a Trump and others rant on trade and jobs to the roaring crowds. Yes, there are many people in this country who are hurting economically, although some much more so than others and for a myriad of reasons. We should always be striving to be sensible and creative regarding policies that can be helpful, yet remaining true to the core principles that create the foundation of economic growth and freedom in this country.

What is particularly frustrating IMO, it never has to come to this kind of rhetoric. There are leaders at all levels who have done very well (meaning remaining popular and elected by healthy margins) who have preached more honestly and intelligently on this subject to voters, including constituencies who would likely respond very favorably to the more vitriolic rhetoric. In other words, it didn't have to come to this. What Trump and others are doing is truly the lowest common denominator. Whether Trump truly believes what he is saying, it's hard to know what is truly in the heart and mind of any politician. I think in the end, we have to just go on the words they preach so I think he is a true believer. As far as it being hard to fathom how he could think this way, not that I think Trump is particularly intelligent, but there are plenty of people who most would deem as generally "intelligent and experienced" who preach the same way -- from university professors to elected officials in pretty high offices to those with more actual business experience but with different fundamental feelings and experiences in other countries. And FWIW, I don't really look at Trump as some particularly astute businessman and cringe that he has this persona. It seems reflective of what we have come to that enough people give him this label just because he has gained this kind of personal wealth. I don't begrudge him for his financial success, but it certainly doesn't make him some remotely intelligent authority on globalization or manufacturing or frankly many things related to actual business. Marketing -- perhaps. However, what does it say about how low the bar currently sits that he is embraced as some great business authority in today's world?

(In response to this post by hoolstoptheheels)

Posted: 04/27/2016 at 10:37AM

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Current Thread:

Mirage of a Return to Manufacturing Greatness -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 09:14AM

See Alvin Toffler, The Third Wave (1980) and Future Shock (1970). ** -- Seattle .Hoo 04/27/2016 11:01AM

Good calls - Future Shock, written mostly in the 60s I think, could apply -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 1:14PM

First rule of forecasting: all forecasts are wrong. ** -- WaxHoo 04/27/2016 4:18PM

Good article, good post -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 10:37AM

It seems like you are promoting the status quo -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 3:13PM

If you define "status quo as promoting free trade in general over -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 4:06PM

Pandering to ignorance is a huge part of election campaigns in -- SixerHoo 04/27/2016 10:20AM

Not accurate to say that our govt has not created an unstable environment -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 09:48AM

It's cheap labor & automation. All else is at the margins.** -- WaxHoo 04/27/2016 10:53AM

So how does 15$ min wage help with that ** -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 5:11PM

Why are you asking me ...? ** -- WaxHoo 04/27/2016 7:26PM

** -- WaxHoo 04/27/2016 10:52AM

Just once, why don't you try processing a set of facts and coming -- SixerHoo 04/27/2016 10:26AM

Are you denying any of those items in the list? -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 3:09PM

I was a partner in a business for decades. NONE of the things on your list, -- SixerHoo 04/27/2016 5:06PM

LMAO this might be one of the silliest posts i have ever read -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 6:27PM

Oh no! Another taxes dont effect business poster -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 5:19PM

Did you even read that post? ** -- 111Balz 04/27/2016 8:22PM

Who said laws and regulations don't affect business decisions? -- SixerHoo 04/27/2016 5:59PM

Or they can move jobs offshore and not have to worry about govco -- TomKazanski 04/27/2016 6:23PM

Clearly you didn't read the article linked in the OP. ** -- SixerHoo 04/28/2016 07:11AM

The tide is inexorable. -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 10:07AM

Couple of comments -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 10:56AM

Couple of replies: -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 11:27AM

I certainly agree with -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 12:07PM

IMO you've devoted way too much effort to that last paragraph. -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 12:55PM

I guess I would just say -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 1:24PM

I would rather you be right about China, all things considered. -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 1:36PM

You raise an interesting point with regard to our "exponential export -- Hoos Operator 04/27/2016 11:14AM

Yes but I am one who thinks -- fishhoo 04/27/2016 11:33AM

Reading Donald's victory speech, I as struck by how he went -- Shenhoo 04/27/2016 10:50AM

Good post. Likely a sizable portion of our workforce does need new skills -- 111Balz 04/27/2016 10:26AM

One issue is that the jobs are so stratified. Absolutely, we can lead in -- 81_Hokie 04/27/2016 10:39AM

Who knows how it will look? -- hoolstoptheheels 04/27/2016 1:25PM

Knowable? Of course not but people make predictions. The trend is that as -- 81_Hokie 04/27/2016 4:20PM

Well, there are reasons, but they are not as currently profitable -- 111Balz 04/27/2016 6:30PM

We all want American jobs/ American wages for all w/ Walmart prices on all -- TpkeHoo 04/27/2016 09:24AM

The labor force need jobs that warrant high wages. ** -- WaxHoo 04/27/2016 11:19AM

That's a good line about the Verizon workers ** -- KCHoo 04/27/2016 09:19AM