Wednesday, August 11, 2010
First step
After two years of continuing Sultan Bush's grand giveaway, two years of ripping out American industry and donating it all to China, the Obama admin has made a baby step in the right direction, or at least has foiled a Repooflican attempt to take one more step in the wrong direction.
Raw materials: that's the key. We should have zero tariffs on all raw materials and confiscatory tariffs on all manufactured goods. Ideally 100% tariff on manufactured stuff from semi-slave countries like China. ¶ 2:03 PM
The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, which comes up periodically, usually passes with almost no opposition. But it appeared headed for defeat after Republican leaders came out against it, saying that tariff relief for specific industries violated the GOP's self-imposed moratorium on special interest earmarks.
Democrats put Republicans on the spot by bringing the measure up under a procedure where a two-thirds majority was needed for passage. Unified GOP opposition would have defeated it.
After it appeared that enough Republicans were breaking ranks to pass the bill, dozens more changed their votes. The final tally was 378-43. The last time the bill came up, in 2006 when Republicans controlled the House, the vote in favor of passage was 412-2.
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, temporarily reduces or suspends tariffs on 639 items, mostly components that American manufacturers use in their production process.
Raw materials: that's the key. We should have zero tariffs on all raw materials and confiscatory tariffs on all manufactured goods. Ideally 100% tariff on manufactured stuff from semi-slave countries like China. ¶ 2:03 PM
