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A Radical Plan to Fix the US Economy

Posted by voodooKobra • 10/08/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: economics, incoherent rambling, solution

It's simple: Export every barrel of wheat for the same price we import a barrel of oil. We can use the surplus money to fix our economy then fund humanitarian aid projects to keep the third-world countries from starving, while giving the price-gouging oil companies a taste of their own medicine.

Any economists in the house? This needs a thorough critiquing.

User Comments

10/08/08

flamingpoodle

Problem: both oil and grain prices are controlled by decree, and not by a free market. You aren't allowed to ask below a minimum amount for oil.

In South Africa, we produce a fair amount of our own oil, but we aren't allowed to provide that oil to the public at a cheaper price than what it would cost to import oil per barrel from overseas. Ridiculous, but that's what you get when you want to play with the big boys.

The same goes for grain prices, which are largely subsidised.

For example, most of the French agricultural industry is subsidised in order to provide foreign aid to Africa. It sounds wonderful, but it's not, because in effect this prevents African agricultural industries from taking shape. It is not cost effective for Africa to grow its own food, because it gets grain at a cheaper, subsidised price than what it would cost to grow its own. The result is a largely undeveloped, rural Africa and a booming agricultural industry in France.

Yet another argument against controlling the economy with political motives.

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10/08/08

clioandme

@voodooKobra: I have no idea how your proposal even makes sense. (And since when is wheat sold by the barrel?)

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1. 10/08/08
  
  voodooKobra
  
  This wasn't my proposal, and I don't feel like critiquing it. This is the kind of stuff I hear on a daily basis.
10/08/08

josephgelb

its actually ingenius and fool proof.

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1. 10/08/08
  
  clioandme
  
  Why? How?
10/08/08

voodooKobra

This was something I heard from someone who is desperate and frustrated with the American economy. Rather than lambaste or praise them, I thought I would see what the BC community thinks about this idea.

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10/08/08

bladeaxe4

Obama's 12-Point Plan to Repair the U.S. Economy
-------------------------------------------------------
The following summarizes Barack Obama's specific 12-point plan to repair the damaged U.S. economy, and to bring about REAL change.

* $1,000 Tax Cut for Middle Class American Families
...............
Obama and Biden will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families, because the economy needs to be revitalized from the bottom up, not top down.

* Energy Rebates
...............
Obama and Biden will enact a windfall profits tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills.

* Create Jobs through Fair Trade
...............
Obama and Biden believe that trade with foreign nations should create American jobs, not send them overseas. They will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security.

* Create 5 Million Green Jobs
...............
Obama and Biden believe that we should invest in innovation and manufacturing jobs in the growing clean energy market, freeing us from our dependence on foreign oil within a decade and creating 5 million green jobs.

* New Jobs Through National Infrastructure Investment
...............
Obama and Biden believe that rebuilding our highways, bridges, roads, ports, air, and train systems will create jobs, ensure safety, and bolster our long-term competitiveness.

* Technology, Innovation and Creating Jobs
...............
Obama and Biden will increase federal support for research, technology and innovation for companies and universities so that American workers can lead the world in cutting edge jobs and products.

* Support Small Business
...............
Obama and Biden will level the playing field for small business by eliminating all capital gains taxes on start-up and small businesses.

* Labor
...............
Obama and Biden will strengthen the ability of workers to organize for good wages, healthcare, and secure pensions. Obama and Biden will fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Obama and Biden will ensure that labor appointees support workers' rights and will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama and Biden will also increase the minimum wage and make sure it remains a real wage year over year.

* Protect Homeownership and Crack Down on Mortgage Fraud
...............
Obama and Biden will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. They will make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and they will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners.

* Address Predatory Credit Card Practices
...............
Obama and Biden will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in credit card borrowing.

They will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices.

* Reform Bankruptcy Laws
...............
Obama and Biden will reform bankruptcy laws to protect working people, to ban executive bonuses for bankrupt companies, and to require disclosure of all pension investments.

* Work/Family Balance
...............
Obama and Biden will help working families by doubling funding for after-school programs, expanding the Family Medical Leave Act. They will provide low-income families with a refundable tax credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work schedules.

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