[align=left]
bigmanbt wrote:
Just a couple of questions so I can further understand your position, and maybe enrich mine.
1) Do you believe that a Keynesian monetary system can work if run properly? Do you believe the way the U.S. has used the system is the correct way?
The first part of your question would be yes. Keybesian poliicies were effectively run to win WWII. It was important to win that war. The US did an excellent job in repaying a monsterous debt. Unfortunately, just as post WWI, we were aided by the war torn European states which needed our products, services. and loans. Our economy showed excellent growth in the 50's and 60's, inspite of extraordinary high tax rates. Back then, our patriotism and fiscal responsiblity trumped implementing tax breaks for the wealthy.
2) Are you in favor of globalization, i.e. free trade with all? Do you believe it is in America's best interest to allow other countries to manufacture our goods or should America still encourage manufacturing here?
I am 100% in favor of trading with all countries. But I am against the unfair trade that we see today. The World Trade Organization was formed in order to help poor countries improve their economic status. I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with...archaic capitalist models that only view people as a labor commodity....or simply a cost for doing business. I believe the European, Canadian, and American model of capitalism with certain safety standards, health standards, and workers rights standards should be implemented by the WHO.
This is the only logical solution to our outsourcing of industry. It is not right...because the playing field is not level. Make the playing field level, and then watch America boom once again...without having to grow the size of government.
What monetary system would you suggest for the long haul for America?
I believe that the monetary ststem should be backed by physical assets and not paper or fiat. Purists want the money backed by gold or even silver. I am pretty much in their corner....but I see property, plant and equipment as real capital, which sadly, is disappearing in our country.
PPL may not be liquid, but they are tangible...and as such, have more real convertible value than the financial boon of paper products that we see today, that supposedly signify wealth.
A return to a manufacturing base...would stem the tide of our economic ruin. It would also put an end to the macabre picture that we face today.
4) Would less regulation than we have now lead to less special interest groups? My thought process on regulation is this: When government allows itself to oversee things, they exert pressures on the system. This interference opens up loopholes for some that will lobby for them in the form of subsidies, tax exemptions, and instances like we see with the sugar industry. I feel that if we can get the government to focus on the real problems (collusion, anti-trust, monopolies), the rest will work themselves out through competition.
I agree with some of what you say here, but I disagree in some principles.
In our constitution. the founding fathers made it legal for groups of people to lobby for certain groups of Americans...to better American lives. The idea made sense, since the government wass founded on being a Republic, and not a "mob rule" democracy.
However, the founding fathers did not see 230 years henceword, and see lobby groups that now want favorable legislation for international corporations...and their best interests.
In fact, many of the founding fathers did not believe in corporate power at all. The Boston Tea Party was actually a revolt more against the East India Tea Corporation monopoly, as it was towards the monarchy in England demanding their tax cut.
Today, well over 90% of lobby money is spent....not to benefit the America people as was the original plan, but is spend by multi national corporations that have international tentacles throughout the globe...and are major contributors to the inequities of the international free trade ruse.