The Shotgun Blog
Sunday, October 18, 2009
What Happened to Arnold?
This is what happens when you go into politics, you get morally corrupted.
Hard to believe that this clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the early 1990's talking about free markets is the same man who recently pushed to ban plasma tv's in California that are over 40".
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Posted by Freedom Manitoba on October 18, 2009 in Economic freedom, Free trade | Permalink | Comments (5)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Canada to be exempted from "Buy American" rules UPDATE: Not so fast
According to the CBC, Canada is likely to be exempted from the "Buy America" laws passed by Congress. This is undoubtedly good news. It keeps trade free(ish) between Canada and the United States.
It does raise a question; if the buy America clause is stupid when applied to Canada then why is it not stupid when applied to other countries?
The answer is that it is stupid.
It rips off taxpayers who are forced to pay more. It harms the economy by diverting capital in inefficient ways. It also harms economic freedom, because people cannot sell products to those who demand them.
I truly am glad that it is looking like Canada will be exempt. I just wish that everyone was exempt.
Update (by KK): A Canadian exemption to the "Buy America" provisions? Not so fast, say US and Canadian officials:
Government officials on both sides of the border say they have not yet struck a deal that will see the United States exempt Canada from protectionist Buy American provisions, despite a report to the contrary.
“Canada has submitted our proposal. Our negotiators are meeting. At this time however we have not reached an agreement,” a senior Canadian official said.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk also said there is no deal.
“We don't have it nailed down, but I'm going to be talking with [Canadian Trade] Minister [Stockwell] Day this afternoon on another matter,” Mr. Kirk said.
Posted by Hugh MacIntyre on September 30, 2009 in Free trade | Permalink | Comments (5)