Thread: Provision in Trade Agreement bans "Buy American" provision in government contracts...

major legislation from the right and left hasn't really changed in 40 years. besides healthcare, some tax policy, higher education and extended unemployment bennies they are mostly the same.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Congress Revolts On Obama Plan That Would Ban 'Buy American'

Another Bush policy that on paper and in principle looks stupid and benefits large multinationals that Obama is continuing to push.

That is because both republicans and democrats only serve corporate interests.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

Congress Revolts On Obama Plan That Would Ban 'Buy American'

Another Bush policy that on paper and in principle looks stupid and benefits large multinationals that Obama is continuing to push.

Obama is pushing it through, but it's still Bush's fault?

I see noting wrong with the govt buying from the best quality cheapest priced products/service.

It's our govts fault we're not competitive anymore.

This is horrible, we need to save American manufacturing, this will cripple it. Some companies can already get waivers to consider their product ARRA approved if they are based in the US and only manufacture overseas...

This just isn't right, say goodbye to more American jobs...

Originally Posted by DOMS

Obama is pushing it through, but it's still Bush's fault?

No, it's Obama's.

dam I must have been high as fuck last night cause I don't remember being on IM...lol


the US doesn't trade for shit. remember that 80% of US GDP comes from personal consumption. which means only 20% comes from actual trade. talking points such as the US corporate tax rate doesn't matter as compared to other country's and especially if you don't trade heavily with them


FRBSF Economic Letter: The U.S. Content of “Made in China” (2011-25, 8/8/2011)

U.S Top Trading Partners
http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/build/g...ian_003364.pdf

U.S Services Trade 2010
http://www.trade.gov/mas/ian/build/g...ian_003459.pdf

the 1st PDF file that I attached below shows that since 2009 exports of Oil & Gas have increased by a factor of 1.75 (that's almost double)


Analysis & Projections - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Summary of Results

Increased natural gas exports lead to higher domestic natural gas prices, increased domestic natural gas production, reduced domestic natural gas consumption, and increased natural gas imports from Canada via pipeline.

the 2nd PDF file shows that since the 70's onshore extraction of crude has decreased and offshore extraction of crude has increased. onshore all the easy oil is gone except for that located on federal lands.

Factors affecting the relationship between crude oil and natural gas prices
EIA - AEO2010 - Factors affecting the relationship between crude oil and natural gas prices

Originally Posted by Swiper

I see noting wrong with the govt buying from the best quality cheapest priced products/service.

It's our govts fault we're not competitive anymore.

has nothing to do with government per say. who writes the laws, legislation and trade agreements? lobbyists that represent the markets. your blame on "government" is misplaced. government at the federal level has been working for the markets full time for the past 40 years.

since the end of the 2nd Industrial Revolution in 1940 the rest of the world simply caught up to the wealthy industrialized country's of the West, it's that simple. the post WWII boom carried the US economy for several decades then started to die in the 60's and 70's when the rest of the world really started to catch up. there is nothing that the US makes that can't be made elsewhere. US GDP is 80% consumption which means 20% comes from actually trade of goods and/or services. the industry's that comprise that 20% do not employ a major share of the US work force, the low wage service sector does.

OES data highlights - An Overview of U.S. Occupational Employment and Wages in 2010

Originally Posted by LAM

has nothing to do with government per say. who writes the laws, legislation and trade agreements? lobbyists that represent the markets. your blame on "government" is misplaced. government at the federal level has been working for the markets full time for the past 40 years.

since the end of the 2nd Industrial Revolution in 1940 the rest of the world simply caught up to the wealthy industrialized country's of the West, it's that simple. the post WWII boom carried the US economy for several decades then started to die in the 60's and 70's when the rest of the world really started to catch up. there is nothing that the US makes that can't be made elsewhere. US GDP is 80% consumption which means 20% comes from actually trade of goods and/or services. the industry's that comprise that 20% do not employ a major share of the US work force, the low wage service sector does.

OES data highlights - An Overview of U.S. Occupational Employment and Wages in 2010

Politicians write the laws that the lobbyist tell them too. congressman and senators are government. So I get your point. The worst part is the people keep electing the same crook politicians and expect change.