Objectively, how liberal/progressive is Chicago *compared to other large American cities*? (Clinton: property tax, living)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

We’re really the flip side of the populist voters that support the current White House (where progressive economic policies might clearly help those voters compared to the current administration, but they’re actually voting more on social and cultural issues).

Really? Not to be smart but what would those policies be? The economic policies over the last 30 years have clearly not helped Those voters. Nor our most troubled parts of Chicago. So now might be a really nice time to trot those helpful progressive policies out and explain what they are and how they would work. That'll be especially important in a time where the current economy has produced 40-year low unemployment and an increase in manufacturing jobs with a decidedly non-progressive administration in the White House.

[damba]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Really? Not to be smart but what would those policies be? The economic policies over the last 30 years have clearly not helped Those voters. Nor our most troubled parts of Chicago. So now might be a really nice time to trot those helpful progressive policies out and explain what they are and how they would work. That'll be especially important in a time where the current economy has produced 40-year low unemployment and an increase in manufacturing jobs with a decidedly non-progressive administration in the White House.

I’m with you, but let’s encourage the orange guy to eliminate all if those tariffs to further bolster manufacturing hiring/gains(!)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by damba

I’m with you, but let’s encourage the orange guy to eliminate all if those tariffs to further bolster manufacturing hiring/gains(!)

Yes, fair trade to create exports is the way to go, though I believe it's a bit more complex than just eliminating all of the tariffs. We have to get China to play by the rules, which will take some arm twisting. It'd be nice if they eliminated some of theirs, and maybe even started respecting basic human rights, in the process.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Really? Not to be smart but what would those policies be? The economic policies over the last 30 years have clearly not helped Those voters. Nor our most troubled parts of Chicago. So now might be a really nice time to trot those helpful progressive policies out and explain what they are and how they would work. That'll be especially important in a time where the current economy has produced 40-year low unemployment and an increase in manufacturing jobs with a decidedly non-progressive administration in the White House.

Agreed. Slight correction though: it's a 50 year low unemployment.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by damba

I’m with you, but let’s encourage the orange guy to eliminate all if those tariffs to further bolster manufacturing hiring/gains(!)

Um, eliminating the tariffs will only keep the China trade imbalance completely out of whack and keep manufacturing centers like Chicago in the manufacturing doldrums.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Kamms

Um, eliminating the tariffs will only keep the China trade imbalance completely out of whack and keep manufacturing centers like Chicago in the manufacturing doldrums.

No one who has even the most minor grasp of China's trade, currency, and intellectual property policies should trust that China will do the right thing in absence of economic coercion. You'd have to be insane to believe that.

We're finally standing up to them now. It's really too bad the mainstream media has clouded that with biased reporting about the issues but our working class has been taking it in the rear for too long. We need to shift our trade imbalance, and that isn't going to be easy to do with an unfair trading partner like China. We've been taking it from other trading partners as well but they are the big one.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by BRU67

No one who has even the most minor grasp of China's trade, currency, and intellectual property policies should trust that China will do the right thing in absence of economic coercion. You'd have to be insane to believe that.

We're finally standing up to them now. It's really too bad the mainstream media has clouded that with biased reporting about the issues but our working class has been taking it in the rear for too long. We need to shift our trade imbalance, and that isn't going to be easy to do with an unfair trading partner like China. We've been taking it from other trading partners as well but they are the big one.

Absolutely.

We've been taking it because of our wealth but Trump is finally standing up for the US on, among other things, trade generally, with China in particular, as well as NATO countries paying what they said they would.

China cannot be trusted. The past belief was that China, as it prospered, would morph into a western-ish style economy and country, akin to post-war Germany and Japan.

This is not happening; as China prospers, its becoming more aggressive and untrustworthy.

Americans need to stick together on this trade issue with China. As you state though, the media won't go for it because Trump is leading the way on this and it mostly benefits middle America (Chicago), or fly-over country (Chicago) to the media.

As for Chicago being liberal/progressive, one has to wonder if Chicagoans actually think someone like Sanders, Warren, Harris, Mayor Pete, or Booker would take on China...and, most crucially, get positive results for the US.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Kamms

Absolutely.

We've been taking it because of our wealth but Trump is finally standing up for the US on, among other things, trade generally, with China in particular, as well as NATO countries paying what they said they would.

China cannot be trusted. The past belief was that China, as it prospered, would morph into a western-ish style economy and country, akin to post-war Germany and Japan.

This is not happening; as China prospers, its becoming more aggressive and untrustworthy.

Americans need to stick together on this trade issue with China. As you state though, the media won't go for it because Trump is leading the way on this and it mostly benefits middle America (Chicago), or fly-over country (Chicago) to the media.

Agreed. For one example, China has imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. built autos for years. And that's not including the VAT and other business taxes a U.S. built car gets hit with on top of that. The actual cost of a U.S. made car to a Chinese consumer is around double what it would be for a U.S. consumer buying the same vehicle. In other words, that market has been virtually off limits to the good people who've been making cars on Torrance Avenue. By contrast, the kindly 'ol U.S. only imposes a 2.5% - 5% tariff on the cars it imports. So other countries are free to come in and put those people out of work.

It isn't easy to find pre-Trump era discussions on this. You'd think the man invented the tariff if you read the mainstream media lately. But here's one article from way back in 2012, which reports that Obama (temporarily) had recognized the problem...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/baizhuc.../#1c12965e7209

China's also a major coal burner. They use about 5 times the amount of coal we do and there's no sign of them reducing reliance, despite lip service. So if you are at all concerned about global warming, that's another major problem with Chinese manufacturing dominance.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Agreed. For one example, China has imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. built autos for years. And that's not including the VAT and other business taxes a U.S. built car gets hit with on top of that. The actual cost of a U.S. made car to a Chinese consumer is around double what it would be for a U.S. consumer buying the same vehicle. In other words, that market has been virtually off limits to the good people who've been making cars on Torrance Avenue. By contrast, the kindly 'ol U.S. only imposes a 2.5% - 5% tariff on the cars it imports. So other countries are free to come in and put those people out of work.

It isn't easy to find pre-Trump era discussions on this. You'd think the man invented the tariff if you read the mainstream media lately. But here's one article from way back in 2012, which reports that Obama (temporarily) had recognized the problem...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/baizhuc.../#1c12965e7209

China's also a major coal burner. They use about 5 times the amount of coal we do and there's no sign of them reducing reliance, despite lip service. So if you are at all concerned about global warming, that's another major problem with Chinese manufacturing dominance.

Yep, and again, because it's Trump actually taking action against China, no one wants it to work out because Trump would get the credit. It's bizarre.

Oh, and the whole global warming issue with China is off the charts. Again, Chicago's working class is toast; it's now moving into the lower middle class. I would like to see that ''Children of the Climate'' swedish teenager Greta Thunberg pull that crazy anger schtick threatening lecture in front of Chinese leaders.

One would expect liberal and progressive Chicago to care about the working class...nah! If they're white, they're racist Trump supporters. As long as Trump loses is all that matters as they head for their Loop tech jobs.

[DavePa]

Seems it's time to move this thread too. To the Politics forum as the other recently. Praising Trump as the new thread topic means it's time.

My 401k is seeing how much trust the markets have in Trump making deals with the Chinese. He no doubt .... will say something to spoil things. Now tariffs on the EU at the same time.

I still say this belief Trump is all and only America first..... basically has limits IF it isn't profitable for him and his family. He DID NOT SET A EXAMPLE in his own clothes line or Ivanka's.

Why did he not use a AMERICAN MAMUFACTURER FOR THEIR LINE OF CLOTHES?

I hope for the best. But the markets are showing little faith in and deals. Spare the still better today. I go by the current markets performance.

*** AGAIN, TIME FOR THIS THREAD TO GO TO THE POLITICS FORUM. IF TRUMP IS THE TOPIC. Try telling the EXTREME RIGHT posters there. That Chicago isn't a Libs, Progressives city ..... that may as well be in California.