The Threats, Real and Imagined, of Mexico& Election | Portside

The Threats, Real and Imagined, of Mexico’s Election | Portside

Neoliberalism crushes Mexico.

Bernie Sanders’ Inequality Town Hall Proved How Far Left the Economic Debate Has Moved - In These Times

Bernie Sanders’ Inequality Town Hall Proved How Far Left the Economic Debate Has Moved - In These Times

And the role of the media in ignoring some of the main issues.

Trump, Trade, China, tariffs,

How the Globalists Brought Us Trump. The headlines today are filled with alarmist language about how Trump’s retaliatory tariffs against China risk setting off a trade war. He’s imposing up to $60 billion worth of tariffs against an array of goods to compensate for a range of Chinese predatory tactics, including theft of intellectual property, subsidy of production below cost, and coercive “partnerships” with U.S.-based companies seeking to do business in China.

Here’s the pity of it all. The financial and political elite had this coming, by denying for decades the reality of China’s mercantilism. I write about this in the current issue of the Prospect. But Trump is pursuing a long overdue correction in a foolhardy way.

The right way to go after China’s predatory state capitalism would have been to keep China out of the WTO until we agreed on some set of symmetrical rules of the road. Clinton and Bob Rubin blew that one.

The elites deceived themselves into thinking that if we let China into the club first, China would evolve into a liberal, free-trade democracy. That sure produced some chuckles in Beijing.

The right way now would be to get together with the EU and mount a common diplomatic offense against China’s mercantilism. Instead, Trump went after the EU as well with his steel and aluminum, and is now facing retaliatory tariffs from Europe against the U.S. 

Trump has blown open a door to a long overdue drastic revision of policy—but in the crudest possible way, one that could backfire. His trade advisers, unlike Trump, are serious people. Trade chief Robert Lighthizer, a veteran of trade negotiations, knows how to do this diplomacy right. But this is really complex stuff, and it’s unlikely that Trump will listen to Lighthizer, except on the headlines. (His own lawyer defending him in the Mueller investigation, John Dowd, just quit because Trump refused to take his advice.)

How to Organize to Win | Portside

How to Organize to Win | Portside

Why the Center Left Keeps Losing Elections in Europe

Why the Center Left Keeps Losing Elections in Europe



and neoliberalism.

Trumps Trade Gimmickry | Portside

Trump’s Trade Gimmickry | Portside

Opinion | Springtime for Sycophants - The New York Times

Opinion | Springtime for Sycophants - The New York Times



Krugman. Trump and Trade.

Enforcing Trade Rules is not a Trade War

Enforcing trade rules is not a ‘trade war’

The recent tariffs on steel and aluminum have been characterized as trade war. This is weird, because countries often enforce trade rules with targeted tariffs and sanctions, and markets adjust. What’s the real issue?

[Stan Sorscher | March 9, 2018  | The Stand]

In the orthodoxy of free trade, tariffs are heresy. Any tariff suggests that the neoliberal free trade approach has failed and government intervention is required. Also, if we protect steel, then the “protectionist barbarians” all rush in and want import restrictions, too.

This begs the question, “Why have rules for globalization at all, if we won’t enforce them?”

The context for the recent steel and aluminum tariffs should start with a central message from the 2016 presidential campaign. Millions of workers and communities around the country feel left behind by our approach to globalization. We can do something about that ….. or not.

President Trump speaks in terms of win-lose or “everyone is out to get us.” But he is doing something. The advice from free-trade establishment experts seems to be:

●  We can’t do anything;

Getting Back the American Dream | Portside

Getting Back the American Dream | Portside



Organized labor and the American Dream

Americas Forgotten History of Illegal Deportations - The Atlantic

America;s Forgotten History of Illegal Deportations - The Atlantic

Opinion | A Ranting Old Guy With Nukes - The New York Times

Opinion | A Ranting Old Guy With Nukes - The New York Times



Trump on Trade. by Paul Krugman.

Many of Trump's claims are simply wrong.

Foreign trade and unions

How governments use foreign trade policy to destroy unions and make profits for the Oligarchs.

https://thesouthlawn.org/2018/02/02/unionism-must-be-internationalist-or-it-is-bullshit/

Opinion | Taxpayers, You’ve Been Scammed - The New York Times

Opinion | Taxpayers, You’ve Been Scammed - The New York Times



Paul Krugman

American Aluminum and Steel Workers Are in Jeopardy @alternet

American Aluminum and Steel Workers Are in Jeopardy @alternet: China refuses to cut its excess production, scoffs at trade laws, and flagrantly cheats. In preservation attempts, conservation groups pull at heartstrings and purse strings with photos of threatened animals – adorable baby elephants, majestic Amur leopards, sentient Sumatran orangutans. A less photogenic endangered species, the American aluminum and steel worker, received vital aid toward survival this week from the White House.

Republicans and some Democrats are about to gut the bank regulation rules.

Republicans and some Democrats are about to gut the bank regulation rules.

The Senate is just days away from the voting on a bill that will gut the rules on 25-30 of the 40 biggest banks in the country.

And they have the votes to pass it, Duane.

That’s right: Republicans – and some Democrats – seem to have forgotten all about the 2008 financial crisis. Senators are lining up to roll back the Wall Street reform legislation we fought for in 2010 and let these giant banks go back to gambling with our economy.

We can’t let the big banks get away with this, Duane. We may not have the votes right now – but that doesn’t mean we can’t still stop this bill. There’s still time to make your voice heard.

The first votes on this bill start Tuesday. Call your friends and tell them about what’s going on. Show up in-person. Protest. Post. Tweet. We need you to speak out every way you can to stop this terrible bill before next week’s expected vote.

The bank lobbyists are getting ready to pop champagne and light their cigars – but it’s not too late to stop them. We stopped the GOP from repealing the Affordable Care Act – and we can stop them from rolling back Dodd-Frank too. Speak out today.

Thanks for being a part of this,
Elizabeth Warren 

What Happened to Europe’s Left? | Portside

What Happened to Europe’s Left? | Portside

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Made $29 Billion Off the Republican Tax Cuts | Portside

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Made $29 Billion Off the Republican Tax Cuts | Portside