The European Union warned the US yesterday against plunging the world into depression by adopting a planned “Buy American” policy, intensifying fears of a trade war.
The EU threatened to retaliate if the US Congress went ahead with sweeping measures in its $800 billion (£554 billion) stimulus plan to restrict spending to American goods and services.
Gordon Brown was caught in the crossfire as John Bruton, the EU Ambassador to Washington, said that “history has shown us” where the closing of markets leads ”” a clear reference to the Depression of the 1930s, triggered by US protectionist laws.
Every day a new problem with this “stimulus” bill surfaces. It is massive, and it is stuffed from beginning to end with special interest provisions which will have unintended (or perhaps intended!) consequences. President Obama is losing political capital daily as he continues to support this monstrosity.
The bill should be scrapped. A real stimulus bill should be written from the ground up and its provisions should be debated in the open by the people we elect to write laws.
Now, the Europeans want a piece of the handout. That makes sense doesn’t it??? Let’s just go on a (Chinese) credit card binge for gazillions and charge it to our kids so the yuppies’ retirement funds aren’t affected to much. It’s all about the yuppies, don’t ya’ know.
Hold on a minute, robroy.
The EU hasn’t said anything about wanting an American handout. It just doesn’t want the USA to put up trade barriers and lurch into protectionism (which is what ‘Buy American’ sounds like).
That may be hypocritical, but it isn’t begging for US funds. Just asking for open and free trade.
It’s over 900 billion now and climbing. And it’s on top of the last 800 billion stimulous.
Well, I’m planning to buy American as much as possible despite Obama and the EU and from elsewhere as little as possible – not that my petty penny matters that much because I am HAVING to spend as little as possible because of the political and financial CROOKS and LIARS who have been greedy and dishonest and robbed poor Americans and American enterprises.
Moreover, when, if ever, I invest again, it will be with American companies run by people of integrity (not the TEC kind) and honor…who care for their employees, operate with accountability and transparency, produce a worthwhile product and earn their honest dollar.
You might want to look at local power companies, like Southern Company, FPL etc. They will never go out of business, and their stock will never become worthless.
‘Buy American’ is a noble, but stupid concept. The reality is the economy is so global it is just not possible to replay Smoot-Hawley without shooting ourselves in the foot. It certainly does fall into the realm of the game of ‘Fool the Rubes’ that Congress so loves to play. It is another distraction for the dim folks in fly-over country who actually believe Congress is motivated to act in their best interests. No matter his/her party affiliation, the best place for your and my Congressman and two Senators is straddling a rail heading out of town while sporting a nice fresh coat of tar and feathers.
Because I have run a few businesses and consider myself to be a faithful Christian of sound moral and ethical business precepts, I’m sorry to see that GA/FL does not consider Episcopalians to be “people of integrity and honor.” It is very dispiriting that folks would look at Christians that way.
He didn’t say “Episcopalians” he said “TEC”, referring to the “ruling circle” and those in charge of the denomination, not necessarily those in the pews. Those of us who have been following this blog for any length of time can recognize the difference.
I would not hesitate to say that Episcopalians in general are representative of Christians in any group. You will find honest, honorable members and the opposite as well. I’ve known both kinds. Generalities are never generally accurate.
And, re: TEc, sadly, judging by the actions of those employed and serving at 815, he is correct: lawsuits, depositions, inhibitions, lies at conferences and meetings (see the post above on KJS’ statements about how sexuality had a full theological discourse!), broken promises — written and oral — by presiding bishops, denial of Christian doctrine by those who hold the title of “Bishop”, the list of proofs goes on.
# 10: GA/FLA made reference to “the TEC kind” as a contrast to “people of honor and integrity”. I take exception.