Trump's Policies: Pros and Cons

[trish]

Thanks for the additional points, broncofan.

Just a quick addendum to my post: The $15-million is the cost PER MILE for the wall. Some say $16-million per mile. The total may amount from $15-billion to $25-billion.

[broncofan]

What I mind about protectionism is that Republicans want it both ways. If we are protesting unfair working conditions and assisting people who are out of work by taxing foreign goods, then we should ensure workers here are treated well. That means a living wage, healthcare, extended unemployment benefits. If we actually engage in protectionism, we will still have a great big market that corporations will want to service and they will brave higher taxes and wages to do so.

Or we can pay the direct costs of displacement with job retraining, but those who are now out of work will have to accept the same benefits of people they've become accustomed to demonizing. They will have to realize that collecting unemployment should have no stigma. I feel these promises of self-sufficiency are just a facade to avoid acknowledging that with structural economic changes people often face hardship through no fault of their own. Is this just a self-esteem plan so we can subsidize factories and the employees of these factories can continue to vilify people who want "free stuff" like healthcare?

[martin48]

On the cost of the wall - Ikea may have a solution.

[Stavros]

Yes, but to get to the border once you have bought your wall material, you have to work out how to get out of the store. I tried IKEA once, and once was enough. Like heading north from Honduras only to end up in Panama when you really wanted to go to LA.

[martin48]

Of course, you have to load it on one trolley, that wouldn't go through the barriers in the car park (parking lot) and then put it all on the roof rack. Drive all the way to the Mexican border, only to find the Allen Key is missing

Yes, but to get to the border once you have bought your wall material, you have to work out how to get out of the store. I tried IKEA once, and once was enough. Like heading north from Honduras only to end up in Panama when you really wanted to go to LA.

[sukumvit boy]

[Laphroaig]

Yes, but to get to the border once you have bought your wall material, you have to work out how to get out of the store. I tried IKEA once, and once was enough. Like heading north from Honduras only to end up in Panama when you really wanted to go to LA.

My local IKEA has footprints on the floor to guide you (the long way) round the store. I agree with you though, can't stand the place.

[martin48]

Last word on IKEA

[filghy2]

One thing that has been generally overlooked amid the turmoil of the first six weeks is how little this White House seems to be focussed on policy. The overriding priority seems to be fighting a never-ending war with the media and other 'enemies'.

During the campaign, Trump made a great deal about the state of the economy and his claim that a corrupt establishment was benefiting at the expense ordinary Americans. Whatever one thinks about his diagnosis, it is certainly true that income gains have been going overwhelmingly to those at the top of the income distribution; for example, median real wages in the US have not increased since the 1970s. This was undoubtedly a key factor in Trump's electoral victory, in particular through capturing the rust belt states the voted previously for the Democrats.

Given this one would have expected any normal administration to be heavily focussed on the economy; in particular, measures to improve the lot of the working class voters who supported him. The only statement I can recall from this White House on economic policy was on the review of financial regulation, which hardly seems a major working class concern.

One thing that Trump promised was a major infrastructure program. Nothing seems to have happened yet, and recent reports suggest action on this is likely to be deferred until 2018. This seems odd given that construction would employ a lot of blue-collar labour and infrastructure projects have long lead times.

It is true that much of the policy action depends on Congress; however, previous administrations have been heavily involved in developing proposals and trying to influence the direction of Congress. The main priorities for Congress appear to be tax cuts and replacing Obamacare. Tax cuts will be heavily weighted toward the rich and the current healthcare proposal is for a flat tax credit for health insurance purchases. This will be a windfall for higher-income earners who can already afford insurance, but is likely to leave low-income earners unable to afford insurance.

Targeting the media, muslims, immigrants etc and denying any bad news may go down a treat with hardcore supporters, but it is difficult to see how Trump can win in 2020 unless the people in areas of the country that shifted to him last year are convinced they are better off as a result. Presumably they will know what has happened to their own jobs and incomes.

[holzz]

Reusing Rust Belt coal fields


Pros:

- Will bring more jobs
- Will raise depressed economies
- Secure votes in GOP areas, take votes from the Democrats

Cons:

- China and Africa produced cheaper coal
- The overall demand globally for coal is low and will be forever, due to renewable fuels
- Ideas are one thing, but sound ideas how mines can be reestablished or export markets is another