CNN: Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders sound alike on trade

[TomCADem]

Donald Trump's actions in ripping off Bernie Sander's proposals on steel tariffs are not the only similarity on trade. Here is comparison of some of their past comments:

[Sophia4]

1. I'm sure this will unite the Democratic Party and bring a lot of Bernie voters

back into the fold.

sarcasm intended.

[FSogol]

3. 1. The Democrats are united and 2. Any Bernie supporter that voted for Trumpy

or Stein is never coming back and doesn't need pandering.

[Sophia4]

5. I remember when Democrats demonstrated against the WTO in Seattle.

That era seems to be either 1. ignored on DU or 2. forgotten.

We need an intelligent approach to trade.

It isn't so simple. None of the politicians have the right approach in my opinion.

We need to hear from economists who care about American jobs on this issue.

I'm not an expert, but I remember the demonstrations against the WTO in Seattle.

I was not there, but I remember them. They involved lots of Democrats.

Where do Democrats stand on jobs and trade now?

Are Democrats going to defend the WTO's decisions on tariffs and other countries' subsidies of their economies, businesses, etc.?

And where should Democrats stand on this?

It isn't an easy subject. It isn't just a matter of saying this person sounds like Trump or not.

I'd like to see some substance beyond just joyously blackening liberal politicians who have a lot of followers on this issue.

The more profound issues are:

How should we revive our steel industry?

Is it just fine to import steel?

What does our huge trade deficit really mean for our economy?

What should we do about it?

Trade is a complex issue. I'd like to see some intelligent discussion on it and not just slamming one politician or another.

Any economists out there?

[KPN]

9. +2!

It's very complex and can't be corrected overnight. It took a long time to create the job losses and trade deficits we presently have and will likely take far longer to correct those. As Obama said "the horse already left the barn", but that's not a solution, acquiescence isn't a solution.

[George II]

16. What is your recommendation for "an intelligent approach to trade"?

[Sophia4]

17. I don't know enough about it. That is why I am asking here.

[KPN]

8. +1!

Actually, Huff Post had an article on the failure of trade agreements today and that Trump's tariffs will just compound that failure because they don't fix the problems created by Trade agreements. So it's not just Bernie who sees real problems with trade agreements ... even though some here like to equate the disenchanted millennial-based populism with Trump/bigotry-based populism.

[olegramps]

25. I believe that the first step would be to assure that these imports met rigid standards.

Action should also be taken to counteract those industries that are directly support by governments that make us unable to compete. We should also concentrate on assisting development of advanced manufacturing to lower costs. The jobs created by technology would be far more significant than just trying to prop up adequate methods. The key is to leap frog others methods and make them obsolete. This is a major failure that is directly the result of corporate greed that reduced funds for research along with the reduction of government funded projects. Basic research is the key to advancement and staying competitive.

[Sophia4]

31. Great ideas in my view. Thanks.

We have to realize that the fact that here employers pay high prices for private health insurance also adds a bit to the cost of producing products.

I other countries I know a lot about, everyone pays for healthcare insurance (and higher education for the most part too) and thus the cost for that item is not a part of the product. Our health insurance should be mostly non-profit. That would lower the cost of production in our country.

Am I wrong about that? I am not an economist.

[dlk]

2. Could There be a Russia Connection?

[shanny]

6. No.

[TomCADem]

14. Who is the only Senator Who Voted Against Magnitsky Act AND Russian Sanctions (2017)?

These two bills are at the center of current controversy's with Russia. Only one Senator voted no on BOTH bills. Maybe it is just a coincidence.

[NurseJackie]

23. Interesting observations. Also...

... personally speaking, I've never been the type of person to believe in things like coincidence. I'll just leave it at that.

[pandr32]

26. I'm with you

[KPN]

29. We got a conspiracy!

[R B Garr]

40. +1, maybe Tad Devine who worked with the felon Manafort

could shed some light on those votes.

[left-of-center2012]

4. Oh looky -- another attack Bernie thread

Can we stop fighting 2016,
and fight the GOP in 2018 and 2020?

Stop stirring the pot and the damn disruptions.
It only works in favor of the Republicans.

Geeze !

[NurseJackie]

24. How can it be an attack if it's true? Is there anything untrue about the comparison in the OP?

[Sophia4]

32. It can be an attack if it leaves out important facts such as why a person backs a policy

and the details of that policy.

And right now, we Democrats need to be united. We were always a big tent for people with many points of view. We should return to that.

[R B Garr]

41. Democrats are united. Constantly blaming everything on

Democrats is what is divisive. Constantly inferring that Democrats aren’t good enough is what is divisive. Encouraging voters not to vote for our nominee is what is divisive. See Nader and Sarandon.

Pointing out hypocrisy is not divisive. It is actually very necessary at this point.

[KPN]

34. True? It lacks any substance whatsoever.

It amounts to a hit piece meant to attract clicks and perpetuate the myth of a gaping rift within the party in order to get more clicks/viewers down the road.

[Hoyt]

7. Trade was particularly divisive during Democratic primary.

[KPN]

35. For good reason.

And it resulted in a dramatic shift in Hillary's position -- to her credit -- did it not?

[Hoyt]

38. If you believe isolationism/protectionism is good. I don't. In fact, that's exactly an good example

of how the primaries hurt us.

[KPN]

39. Primaries can be problematic. Not many

of us would support no primaries though. It is what it is. And I don't support isolationism by any measure either. However, that's not to say that trade agreements can't do a better job of balancing benefits to corporations/Wall Street vs the public. Framing it as an either-or is a no win in the end it seems.

[KPN]

10. Why not throw another log on the fire?

Geesh.

[nycbos]

11. Both don't get the following. Trump because...

... the truth doesn't matter to him, Bernie because he might be un aware of the truth.


Even if globalization ended tomorrow and we made all the things we did in the 1950s the jobs still wouldn't be there because it would all be automated. Way more jobs have been lost to automation then "bad trade deals"


It is easier to made people fear foreigners than robots.

Of course for the people who lost a good manufacturing job it doesn't matter to them if they lost their job to a robot or to outsourcing.


We need to address the point is that no one really has a plan to address the automation of the economy.

[Sophia4]

12. Do you have any ideas?

And how do you heal that huge gash in our country called the trade deficit?

At least if the automation took place in factories here, we could buy products produced here and not owe so much to other countries.

Or does the trade deficit not make any difference?

I'd like some knowledgeable opinions/answers on these issues.

Not just more divisive finger-pointing.

[nycbos]

13. I am not an international trade expert.

My post was not meant to be " divisive finger-pointing"

The jobs of the past

However a MAJOR investment infrastructure would be a good solution. Because the jobs that would created there fixing roads, bridges, rails etc aren't automated yet.

[Sophia4]

33. Infrastructure improvement is another good idea.

[progressoid]

18. Technology and Automation Create, Not Destroy, Jobs

Technology and Automation Create, Not Destroy, Jobs
http://www.innovationfiles.org/technology-and-automation-create-not-destroy-jobs/#disqus_thread


Machines Reshape More Jobs Than They Destroy
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/12/07/machines-create-more-stem-jobs-than-they-destroy-study-says


Robots won’t just take jobs, they’ll create them
https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/13/robots-wont-just-take-jobs-theyll-create-them/

[KPN]

37. True. That reality isn't highlighted sufficiently.

And purposefully so. It allows corporations, which includes MSM (just remember MSNBCs restriction against any critical reporting on the TTP if anyone doubts that) to perpetuate the meme that automation is primarily at fault for job decline and wage stagnation, and thereby their immense profiteering through rising share prices. At it's base, it's about profits of the relative few.

[KPN]

30. I am not an expert on either

the trade issue or automation. But I think I know enough to say one cannot discount trade policy when it comes to declining jobs and wages. While automation is no doubt an issue as well, current trade policies have had huge impacts on jobs, wages and our trade deficits. They didn't do enough to protect American workers plain and simple. As long as production can rely on slave labor wages, manufacturers/corporations will take advantage of that.

[George II]

15. Reminds me of the philosophical horseshoe. Lots of truth there.

[floppyboo]

19. An Economist (Bernie's advisor) explains stuff in clear language

[keepleft101]

22. thanks for the video....good stuff

[Sophia4]

36. Is it OK with you if I start a new thread with this video?

I don't understand economics.

But this is a view we have not heard much of.

[floppyboo]

42. Sophia4

Missed this - haven't logged in for a while. I'm totally cool with you starting a new thread with the video. You didn't have to ask though as it is public

[keepleft101]

20. I think Bernie & Trump are both right on this issue

not necessary on the solution. When Trump was running and I would argue with my friends there was one thing I said I agree with Trump. That was on our trade policy and that was because he was saying things that Bernie was saying. I know Trump is the enemy here. But I do believe our trade policy is bad and on the side of big business and not the American workers. Maybe Trump gets one right . I don't know. I'm not smart enough to understand all of it but I did believe in Bernie and wish he was the one trying to change policy.

And lets not forget. .... I loved Obama as much as the next person on here but everyone on the DU was complaining about Obama trying to push through that TPP trade deal.

[dreamland]

21. No one will blame Bernie for poor economic policy

Now, we get to see "Bernie's" economic policy at work under tRUMP. We see how wrong both candidates were because these policies hurt American business and foreign relations. Don't forget that Elizabeth (I'm still angry at her) Warren helped Bernie hawked these policies too. Hillary had a better perspective on the economic situation. Most of the general public will never know that these were also Bernie's policies. At least president orangutan will be blamed for these disastrous trade dealings. Has anyone heard from Bernie about these policies of late? He's been quiet.

[R B Garr]

28. This is a good example of the similarities.

Disturbing.

[TomCADem]

44. Bernie Sanders: Solution in North Korea is to lean on China

Compare:

with:

[videohead5]

43. The tariffs should be targeted

At China not all countries.