Is there anything left for America to manufacture?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Not necessarily, there is efficiency in centralized production. The inefficiency comes with the cost to transport. So in a sense, you will probably replace one efficiency with another.

It would depend on the cost of transportation in the near future. At $150 a barrel its likely more efficient. But the real purpose of a carbon tax system is to throw large tariffs on Asia under the guise of environmentalism which would protect us somewhat regarding blow back. In fact they would look even worse on the climate change issue if they complained loudly and we would look marginally better.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Sousuke

[FortLaudy 10]

Let's go back in history a bit. Europe was once poor. Do you know which organization played a huge role in helping the European poor and needy? The Catholic church. They could have "let nature take its course" but they decided to be good stewards of humanity instead.

They interfered with their own people. fair game.

[chri'stina 190]

Let's go back in history a bit. Europe was once poor. Do you know which organization played a huge role in helping the European poor and needy? The Catholic church. They could have "let nature take its course" but they decided to be good stewards of humanity instead.

Do gooders!! Hmph.

[FortLaudy 10]

Nature taking it's course is saying #### to these groups. As for your diagnosis of why the 3rd world is poor - I have to laugh because there is nothing remotely reasonable. Western interference yes, but not handing out free food and medicine. That's such an uneducated comment.

I said a lot of, not diagnosis. read.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

They interfered with their own people. fair game.

So it's only a bad thing when they did good works in parts of the world where people didn't look like them?

Perhaps their idea of who "their people" are extends beyond race and ethnicity?

Is it possible? I understand yours does not but people do differ

[Peikko 1,575]

Do you know what diagnosis means?

[FortLaudy 10]

I believe it was you who indicated that slavery was an eventuality right? Just nature taking its course, right?

I said inevitable. incapable of being avoided or evaded <an inevitable outcome>

It's not nature taking it's course, it's wrong, but slavery still exists in Africa today ya know...

[LaL 418]

argh nm! the st00pid!! it burns!

Edited January 27, 2010 by LaL

[FortLaudy 10]

So it's only a bad thing when they did good works in parts of the world where people didn't look like them?

Perhaps their idea of who "their people" are extends beyond race and ethnicity?

Is it possible? I understand yours does not but people do differ

People do differ, that's my point. it's wrong Assuming that other countries cannot survive and Need what we have to offer - the stuff we invent and manufacture. they can do fine without.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

People do differ, that's my point. it's wrong Assuming that other countries cannot survive and Need what we have to offer - the stuff we invent and manufacture. they can do fine without.

It's just as wrong to assume that who you consider "your people" are who other people like you consider theirs. To you, the Haitians are nobody. To many just like you, they are an essential part of their human family. For you to berate them as if they must live by your standards of right and wrong is highly inappropriate.

[Peikko 1,575]

People do differ, that's my point. it's wrong Assuming that other countries cannot survive and Need what we have to offer - the stuff we invent and manufacture. they can do fine without.

Did you go to school?

[FortLaudy 10]

Did you go to school?

say something useful to the conversation or shut up

It's just as wrong to assume that who you consider "your people" are who other people like you consider theirs. To you, the Haitians are nobody. To many just like you, they are an essential part of their human family. For you to berate them as if they must live by your standards of right and wrong is highly inappropriate.

You assume that I think the Haitians are nobody. That's FAR from the truth. we're talking about overpopulation.

[Peikko 1,575]

My contributions are highly valuable as they highlight your inanity.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

.....all this arguing and here I want to talk about carbon mileage taxes

[SMR 368]

Here is a real way to fight climate change and improve manufactoring. Instead of the standard Tariff protectionist stance, how about laws that regulate shipping in terms of carbon? IE tax manufactured goods based on their mileage from factory to retail.

Example.

An auto tyre. less than 500 miles = tax break

501 -1000 miles = + 0%

1001 -2000 miles = +5%

2001 -3000 miles = +10%

3001 - 4000 miles = +15%

4001 - 5000 miles = +20%

5001 - 5500 miles = + 25%

5550+ = 75%

This would create smaller more dispersed facilities that use less resources.

Why would smaller more dispersed factories use less resources? I actually can't think of any reasons. Transportation would use less resources, but the factories themselves wouldn't.

Even if local factories were more efficient, this is the kind of thinking that gets us into trouble. You've made a new tax to try and control the economy. But some businessman is going to figure out how to maximize his profits and he really doesn't care about anything else.

Someone could, for instance, mostly build the tires in China and then ship the parts to small "factories" dispersed throughout the US. Because the tires are produced locally, they will get the tax break. But the dirty manufacturing will mostly be done in China. This may almost seem ridiculous for auto tires, but the law would have to be very specific in order to control this process. And every time the law was adjusted, the tire companies would all get their tax lawyers and consultants together and make a new business plan to figure out how to maximize profits.

And tire construction is reasonably straight forward and a defined process. More complicated products would be even harder to regulate in this way. Trying to control business by taxing is like trying to hold Jello in your hand. The tighter you squeeze the more that leaks out the side, the less you are left with, and the worse the quality of the Jello that actually stays in your hand.