December 03, 2003
HE TRICKS PEOPLE AND TAKES THEIR MONEY
It’s another even as moment from Reuters:
President George W. Bush has picked up $850,000 in campaign contributions in America's steel industry heartland even as he prepared to lift tariffs that have been helping steelmakers.
Mean Bush wants to hurt the little steelmakers. Bad evil President.
Posted by Tim Blair at December 3, 2003 01:03 PMtariffs that have been helping steelmakers.
and penalising everyone else!
Posted by: Peggy Sue at December 3, 2003 at 04:16 PMI have read some comments in the blogosphere from people who are in the know that Bush never intended the steel tariffs to be permanent. He knew from the start they were illegal but he imposed them anyway. The US steel industry has been ruined by the unions but he figured he could get them about a year's worth of breathing space to attempt to restucture somewhat with better cash flow via a captured customer base. That's essentially what happened. I believe Bush's real fear has to do with an industry that has not modernized and is not competive because of high labor costs that is vital to US national security. Even if it means Americans paying higher prices. Yep.
Posted by: Harry at December 4, 2003 at 04:54 AMBush is "preparing to lift tariffs" because of an adverse international trade ruling. My own views of Bush's economic policies notwithstanding, isn't Reuters basically saying Bush should be more, well, unilateralist?
Posted by: Sean at December 4, 2003 at 01:37 PM