Monday, March 1, 2010

Trade and Exchange

Missisippi representative Gene Taylor seems to have jumped on the NAFTA-hate band-wagon, albeit over 15 years late. Word on the Hill is he plans to introduce a bill to withdraw the U.S. from the trade block.

Don Boudreaux pens the congressman with some immodest proposals.
Dear Rep. Taylor:

You propose to remove the U.S. from NAFTA. Your stated reason is that the freer trade made possible by NAFTA destroys jobs in your state.
If you’re correct – that is, if it’s true that preventing people in one political jurisdiction from trading freely with people in other political jurisdictions generates higher-paying jobs and more widespread prosperity for those people who are denied the freedom to trade freely – then your proposal is too modest.  You should instead introduce legislation that permits each of the 50 states to impose high tariffs not only on goods from jurisdictions such as South Korea and Mexico, but also on goods from jurisdictions such as South Carolina and Michigan.

Think of it!  No longer, for example, would Mississippians ship dollars out of state in return for cars imported from Detroit.  You’ll keep those dollars at home, and as a result get a booming, high-tech manufacturing industry – and, to boot, also get rid of the large and growing trade deficit in motor vehicles that has long plagued your state.
The question is - are we sure Mr. Taylor isn't dense enough to take Don seriously?

No comments:

Post a Comment