Maggie's Farm

Re: Free trade.

The author did himself a disservice by choosing to twist the words and intent of those who seemingly oppose free trade. The problem is we don't have free trade we have a very controlled system designed to greatly benefit a few people and greatly harm a lot of people. I embrace free trade, I want free trade but what we have is play to pay and screw the American citizens.

A free trade agreement could be written on a single page but it takes a thousand pages to satisfy everyone who wants special treatment and in return will pay off the bureaucrats and politicians that bring it to them. Give us 'free trade' and throw out the previous trade agreements that made us slaves to China and Mexico.

As a starter I would suggest the following:
Every country trading with us must buy as much from us as they sell to us. Kind of brings "trade" back into "free trade" doesn't it.

All good and services originating outside the U.S. must pay a tax that was avoided by manufacturing outside the U.S. Seems fair to me. If we tax our business at 38% then why not tax foreign products at least 20% of retail value.

Some specific manufacturing capability is essential for our security in the event of war. To that end require that a percentage of specific manufacturing be wholly accomplished within the U.S. That is the factory is her the workers are American and the skills are ours.

Enforce our laws. Deport people who are not legally here. End laws and policies that allow foreign workers to displace American workers. If there are legitimate instances where a foreign worker is necessary place a tax on that labor perhaps $10 an hour worked paid for by the employer to compensate displaced workers.

That would make trade fair.