Originally posted by Sam The ShamYou know what you are talking about.
China is going to get a big bite taken out of their butt. Eventually, they will be accused of being abusive "colonialists" and tossed out. Then all the wonderful buildings/hospitals/factories/cities that they built will be taken over by the locals, and guess what? It'll all go to waste and detiorate until someone else comes along to help them.
Originally posted by MerkI had heard that the US used tarrifs almost exclusively in the early days to support the government -- before income tax. Sounds like a great idea, in a way. But maybe only works with a smaller, less developed economy. Any economists out there can chime in?
Wouldn't it be easier to just put a 6 cent tariff on the African fruit?
Milton Friedman is a brilliant man. A genuine conservative too. They're seemingly tough to come by nowadays.
Originally posted by twhiteheadIf aid were left to charitable organisations; aid on the ground level as opposed to money to governments, then that would take a hell of a lot of the corruption out, plus benefit the economy and infrastructure of any country. In the meantime we should trade honestly and avoid destroying their local economies by pricing them out of their own market like we do in our own countries.
That is certainly the case, though many African countries do have common problems. Having lived in Zambia and South Africa I can say that they are worlds apart. They do both have a problem with HIV in common but little else.
Much of Africa does have:
High levels of HIV.
High levels of Corruption.
Low levels of education.
High poverty levels.
Poor ec ...[text shortened]... ng, I am not saying that they are morally required to do so but that it would help if they did.
Originally posted by mrstabbyBrother Edwin has ennunciated the only sensible and feasible policy to be adopted if the African 'problem' is to be resolved. This the way in which every other civilisation has evolved.
If aid were left to charitable organisations; aid on the ground level as opposed to money to governments, then that would take a hell of a lot of the corruption out, plus benefit the economy and infrastructure of any country. In the meantime we should trade honestly and avoid destroying their local economies by pricing them out of their own market like we do in our own countries.
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Originally posted by Thales2What does this entail, building a wall around the country? Absolutely no-one or nothing in and out of the country?
Brother Edwin has ennunciated the only sensible and feasible policy to be adopted if the African 'problem' is to be resolved. This the way in which every other civilisation has evolved.
We could never do that, we need them to mine metals, diamonds etc for us on a pittance.
I think you'll find that most civilisations interacted with the people around them.
Originally posted by spruce112358Originally posted by Merk
Producing a fruit in the US costs 10 cents. To grow the same fruit and ship it from Africa costs 6 cents. Today, the government pays 3 cents to the US farmer, and puts a 2 cent duty on the African fruit. So the final cost to me is:
US fruit: 7 cents
African fruit: 8 cents
Wouldn't it be easier to just put a 6 cent tariff on the African fruit?
Milton Friedman is a brilliant man. A genuine conservative too. They're seemingly tough to come by nowadays.
There are a number of reasons why farm subsidies are more desirable for the government. For example
1. If the fruit was sold at cost (10 cents) and there was a 6 cent tariff on imported fruit then the people would figure out that they are paying 5 cents or 50% more than they need to and blame the government for the high tariffs. As it is, the cost is hidden in income tax.
2. If they slap high tariffs on imported goods then other countries retaliate by putting their own tariffs on goods going the other way.
3. It looks less mean to subsidize your farmers than to effectively block goods from foreign countries with high import taxes.
4. People are generally happier with high taxes and low food prices than high food prices and low taxes even though the actual total cost is the same.
5. Farmers have a significant influence on the government. I believe that in the US the swing states are agricultural and so farm subsidies is important for winning elections.
Originally posted by twhiteheadand, they can siphon off a lot more money with an income tax than they could with a piddling little fruit tariff.
Originally posted by Merk
[b]Wouldn't it be easier to just put a 6 cent tariff on the African fruit?
Milton Friedman is a brilliant man. A genuine conservative too. They're seemingly tough to come by nowadays.
There are a number of reasons why farm subsidies are more desirable for the government. For example
1. If the fruit was sold at co ...[text shortened]... US the swing states are agricultural and so farm subsidies is important for winning elections.[/b]
Originally posted by mrstabbyWell as soon as we attempt to go in and sort out the evil dictator we will just have the far left screaming that we are war mongers.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
I say just leave them be. Or maby hand out a few pamphlets telling them how to use condoms.
Originally posted by Brother EdwinJust so, but the mrstaffys, catfoodmicks, and wheelybins of this world prefer to bask in self-righteous indignation and blame the 'West' for the appalling state of affairs in contemporary Africa.
Well as soon as we attempt to go in and sort out the evil dictator we will just have the far left screaming that we are war mongers.
I say just leave them be. Or maby hand out a few pamphlets telling them how to use condoms.
Originally posted by Brother EdwinWhen you say leave them be, does this mean no trade whatsoever, or completely shut off the borders?
Well as soon as we attempt to go in and sort out the evil dictator we will just have the far left screaming that we are war mongers.
I say just leave them be. Or maby hand out a few pamphlets telling them how to use condoms.
"Sorting out" an evil dictator is rarely directed at solving the underlying problem, as that "evil dictator" tends to be someone who won't let you get your hands on the valuable metal/gemstones any more. A nice dictator (say Mobutu in Zaire) will let you get your hands on their natural wealth, as long as you line their pockets in the process.
Originally posted by mikelomDamn those big Chinese corps. They don't care about anything but raping the poor of the world and making billions every day. Sounds like a good idea to me! Right on you big time Chinese capitalists! How can we blame America for this?
China is helping in building lots and lots of roads. At the end of those roads are lots and lots of huge Chinese manufacturing outlets!