General > General Technical Chat

I have the feeling that the whole trade war starts from a pile of nonsense.

<< < (29/145) > >>

technix:

--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 02:20:57 pm ---It is my understanding that Russia's interference was accomplished by starting fake news stories on the various social media sites.  Low information voters may indeed believe everything they read on Twitter or Facebook.  I subscribe to neither.

--- End quote ---
In China the effective voter base is much smaller. Most of the 1.4B people don't really have an effective vote, there are about 2.3k people that may have a meaningful vote at national level, and the actual decision is made likely by a group of 17 or so. You need mass media when targeting 300M people, but you don't need that when targeting 20. That is why I say I kind of wish US went to the bottom to that, as that method scaled down can be in effect.


--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 02:20:57 pm ---Trump won on a platform of putting people back to work, reducing taxes, controlling immigration and squaring up trading.  Two out of 4 isn't bad and he's making headway on trade.  Immigration control isn't going to happen.

--- End quote ---
Putting people to work: seems working but can be questionable in some places. Reducing taxes: uber-rich only, middle class and lower actually saw a tax increase if you crunch through the numbers. Controlling immigration: what a spectacular disaster it is, earning ire even from EU. Squaring up trade: I have my doubts how much Trumpism the rest of the world can take.

Mr. Scram:
It may pay to take a look at regimes which "put people to work" historically and how that developed short and long term. Many enjoyed at least a temporary popularity because people saw things improve on their end.

rstofer:

--- Quote from: technix on May 25, 2019, 02:48:43 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 02:20:57 pm ---It is my understanding that Russia's interference was accomplished by starting fake news stories on the various social media sites.  Low information voters may indeed believe everything they read on Twitter or Facebook.  I subscribe to neither.

--- End quote ---
In China the effective voter base is much smaller. Most of the 1.4B people don't really have an effective vote, there are about 2.3k people that may have a meaningful vote at national level, and the actual decision is made likely by a group of 17 or so. You need mass media when targeting 300M people, but you don't need that when targeting 20. That is why I say I kind of wish US went to the bottom to that, as that method scaled down can be in effect.

--- End quote ---

In Singapore, voting is mandatory and failing to do so results in a monetary fine and suspension of voting rights for some period of time.  Reinstatement is not automatic, there's a bit of 'mea culpa' involved.  They're serious about voting!  Why?  Because it promotes stability in the government because people tend to vote for the one they know - the incumbent.  Nevertheless, it's a good clean system.  Did I mention how much I admire Singapore?

If you take the position to believe nothing you hear (or read in any media, social of mainstream) and only half of what you see, you won't be far off.  Then there is the old TV serious 'House'.  One thing that Dr. House kept saying:  "Everybody lies!".  To which I add "with no exceptions!".

Back to trade:  The US needs to get its accounts more balanced.  We can't keep exporting money forever.  And we need to beef up those industries that are important to national defense.  Steel, aluminum, chips and such are all critical.  We don't need to be competitive, tariffs or government contracts will fix that, but we do need to be self-sufficient.  At least in terms of defense materials.  We simply can't be dependent on other countries for our own defense.

magic:

--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 01:57:03 pm ---For some reason, Congress is unwilling to require eVerify in other than Federal contracts.

--- End quote ---
You mean, you are surprised it's not mandatory on every hire in the private sector? Why would you want to be tracked like cattle by the gov?
OTOH, I grew up thinking that America is a country of law and one wouldn't be able to stay there illegally for long. I was shocked to learn the truth a few years ago and I'm still not sure how the whole fiasco was even allowed to happen and who thought it could possibly be a good idea.


--- Quote from: technix on May 25, 2019, 02:48:43 pm ---earning ire even from EU

--- End quote ---
Even from the EU? EU is the most leftist institution in the world other than a few of its member states ;)

vk6zgo:

--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 03:12:45 pm ---
--- Quote from: technix on May 25, 2019, 02:48:43 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on May 25, 2019, 02:20:57 pm ---It is my understanding that Russia's interference was accomplished by starting fake news stories on the various social media sites.  Low information voters may indeed believe everything they read on Twitter or Facebook.  I subscribe to neither.

--- End quote ---
In China the effective voter base is much smaller. Most of the 1.4B people don't really have an effective vote, there are about 2.3k people that may have a meaningful vote at national level, and the actual decision is made likely by a group of 17 or so. You need mass media when targeting 300M people, but you don't need that when targeting 20. That is why I say I kind of wish US went to the bottom to that, as that method scaled down can be in effect.

--- End quote ---

In Singapore, voting is mandatory and failing to do so results in a monetary fine and suspension of voting rights for some period of time.  Reinstatement is not automatic, there's a bit of 'mea culpa' involved.  They're serious about voting!  Why?  Because it promotes stability in the government because people tend to vote for the one they know - the incumbent.  Nevertheless, it's a good clean system.  Did I mention how much I admire Singapore?

If you take the position to believe nothing you hear (or read in any media, social of mainstream) and only half of what you see, you won't be far off.  Then there is the old TV serious 'House'.  One thing that Dr. House kept saying:  "Everybody lies!".  To which I add "with no exceptions!".

Back to trade:  The US needs to get its accounts more balanced.  We can't keep exporting money forever.  And we need to beef up those industries that are important to national defense.  Steel, aluminum, chips and such are all critical.  We don't need to be competitive, tariffs or government contracts will fix that, but we do need to be self-sufficient.  At least in terms of defense materials.  We simply can't be dependent on other countries for our own defense.

--- End quote ---

Voting is compulsory in Australia, too, but the fines are quite small, & your voting rights aren't suspended.

I do not share your admiration of Singapore, probably due to the number of "Captains of Industry" from this country which visit that country, are given the "conducted tour" & come back to Oz, bleating about how we ought to do the things they do, ignoring the radical differences between a tiny island "City State" & a Nation encompassing a whole continent, with a Federal system of Government.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod