Quote Originally Posted by ClydeR View Post
During the adult lives of every person in this forum, the Republican Party has strongly, openly and stubbornly opposed protectionism, until Trump came along. That's partly been true for the Democratic Party. In fact, calls for "free trade" grew louder and louder from around the 1930s until reaching a high point during the presidencies of Reagan, who proposed NAFTA, and Clinton, who brought it to fruition. During this period, international demographic changes weakened the political clout of labor unions, which supported protectionism, to the point that they were ineffective. Reversing international demographic changes today point toward a tighter labor market in the U.S. As a consequence, labor union influence should regain its former power. Perhaps Trump's tariff stance is a leading indicator.

Protectionism is the purposeful stifling of competition. In the short run, it can protect threatened industries. In the long run, it slows innovation, limits consumer choices and increases consumer prices.
When you start your "adult life", let us know.

Living in your mommy's basement because you are too scared to venture out into the world is not an "adult life" no matter how much your mommy calls you a big boy now.

Also, I was not for NAFTA. It was a shitty deal for America and remember when Perot said you would hear a giant sucking sound going south... he was spot on.

As far as tariffs go, it's obvious you have no idea what they are used for. Let's wait until President Trump takes office and see what actually happens with these tariff discussions.

In the meanwhile, maybe stay under your bed with your 13 N95 masks on.