Well Bill "child rapist" Clinton and the dems sure fucked that one up

>>17786337 (OP)
Bush Sr. supported NAFTA as well, that's why Perot ran. Bush is actually the one that signed NAFTA as a lame duck President.

>TRADE AGREEMENTS ARE... LE BAD
Why?
>THEY JUST ARE OKAY GOSH

>>17786387
>shipping jobs to mexico is le good
there is no reason for the US not to have massive tariffs on every single country that has loser labor protection laws than the US

>>17786428
And countries that placed tariffs on the US for decades now. Trump scored an own-goal by placing tariffs on unrelated countries unfortunately, otherwise his plan would have been justified

>>17786428
>massive tariffs on every single country that has loser labor protection laws than the US
The fuck is that even supposed to mean? Pay less wages due to QoL, have to pay up certifications and "proof" to third party American organizations so they can be "green"?

>>17786478
Want access to American markets? Don't screw over American workers. Pretty simple

>>17786428
Yes, lamplighter jobs should be destroyed if it's the requirement for us to use electricity, glad you agree.
>>17786493
Why do American workers get to screw over American consumers by assaulting their purchasing power with uncompetitive overpriced goods?

>>17786337 (OP)
It's funny. In the 90s every kid i knew in school thought I was weird for shitting on Slick Willy and then that shit came out about him. Not so funny now is it?

>>17786530
Because valuing consumption over production makes your country weak and dependent.

>>17786565
America values consumption over production and it is the single most powerful country that has ever existed in the history of mankind. Production-focused sweatshop shitholes have their purchasing power lag ever farther behind America.

>>17786622
That probably proves Austrian economics more correct than Keynesian or Marxist models im guessing? Not the same anon just curious

>>17786622
America became the most powerful country thanks to being a continent-sized factory. Since the late 20th-century the economic structure has been shifted into an overly-financialized service economy and the industrial base was steadily hollowed out. Subsequently the American dream got out of reach for younger generations who would much rather have a home and raise a family than consume dirt-cheap crap from China.

>>17786629
Austrians are nonsensical past the second generation. Menger and Böhm-Bawerk are great, then it turns into a silly cinematic universe.
>the industrial base was steadily hollowed out
After December 1993 (the last month before NAFTA), there hasn't been a single month in which industrial output in America has never fallen below what it was at that point.
>the American dream got out of reach for younger generations
Each generation has increased its purchasing power.
>rather have a home and raise a family than consume dirt-cheap crap from China
1. Revealed preferences > stated preferences. People buy cheap crap when given the option unless forced not to.
2. The housing crisis has zero correlation with trade deals and is an entirely self-inflicted unforced error caused by artificial supply constraints on the market.

>>17786728
*What* industrial output? Do you realize the tech sector is the only thing keeping the line going up the past few decades and without it the economy straight up shrunk? Jobs have been funneled into the white-collar professional-managerial class cuasing immense bloat, it's no surprise that they were the first to face layoffs when AI was introduced(after years of gloating that blue-collars would be the ones replaced by AI...)
>Revealed preferences > stated preferences. People buy cheap crap when given the option unless forced not to.
No shit Einstein, people are weak and will always go for comfort, that's why you don't structure your economy in a way that would enable people to become miserable and childless.

>>17786728
>2. The housing crisis has zero correlation with trade deals and is an entirely self-inflicted unforced error caused by artificial supply constraints on the market.
This
Its scary how many adults in the US find freshman undergrad econ too complex to grasp

>>17786728
>>17786807
Let me guess, we should pave entire farmlands and turn them into dense concrete jungles, right? All by public sector works as well, right?

>>17786830
NTA but it's the endless miles of suburban sprawl eating up farmlands and green space, mostly due to NIMBY zoning/development regulations in cities.

>>17786847
That sounds rough, maybe you should address the phenomena which causes those "NIMBY"s to flee your mess of a city and become instead of blaming them for wanting good conditions to raise their children in.

>>17786851
>you should address the phenomena which causes those "NIMBY"s to flee your mess of a city
Many downtown cores have been revitalized and gentrified.

>become instead of blaming them for wanting good conditions to raise their children in.
Many don't really have kids though.

>>17786772
>you don't structure your economy in a way that would enable people to become miserable and childless.
How would that even work?

>>17786565
Not all production is equally valuable.

>>17786879
I agree, which is why metrics like GDP are not really reliable and why some are fooled into thinking that the big cities are the most productive areas because they're stuffed with real estate and spreadsheet jobs.
I care most about how essential workers are doing, not the professional-managerial class.

>>17786851
The NIMBYs aren't fleeing that's the problem, the issue is they vote against changes in zoning/housing regulation that would otherwise result in housing densification. Why? Because they want all the benefits of suburbia (i.e. single family homes) while also living within a short distance so they can still access the HUSTLE and BUSTLE of the big city.

>>17786894
>essential workers are doing
defined as?

>the big cities are the most productive areas because they're stuffed with real estate and spreadsheet jobs.
You do know cities aren't solely defined by the dense urban core

>>17786478
>The fuck is that even supposed to mean?
nike should have to pay a tax for using sweat ships in bangladesh.
>>17786530
>Yes, lamplighter jobs should be destroyed if it's the requirement for us to use electricity, glad you agree.
what?
>Why do American workers get to screw over American consumers by assaulting their purchasing power with uncompetitive overpriced goods?
the prices won't change much. it's banker greed. why does nike sells shoes made by slaves for $0.05 for $200?

>>17786728
that graph and post are complete bullshit

>>17786847
suburbs are based. cities are shit and no one wants to live in the pod
>>17786870
>Many don't really have kids though.
great economy there

>>17786895
>no why won't you vote to live in the pod near crime and shitty schools