Let's Develop Atlasia's Economy! Act (Failed)

[Senator Cris]

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Sponsor: Senator Maxwell

[Maxwell]

Senator Harry Truman and I have had a strong back and forth already on this issue, this is the first leg of my plan to Make Atlasian industry #1 and get back our jobs. For too long, we've been at the wrong end of trade deals, the wrong end of tariff reform, and losing jobs as a result. And we've seen no movement in YEARS - our economy is stuck at an 8.8% unemployment rate. We've tried everything - from bailing out the Pacific, to bailing out the overall economy, and it hasn't worked. With our economy diminished, I believe it's time for some withdraw from the world to rebuild our economy from the ground up - with Atlasian principles that made our country #1 in the first place.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I do think Atlasia can and should do more to deal with the negative effects of global competition on its citizenry. I don't think that a tariff is the way to do it.

[Maxwell]

     I do think Atlasia can and should do more to deal with the negative effects of global competition on its citizenry. I don't think that a tariff is the way to do it.

I'm glad to hear another member of our body acknowledge the fundamental crisis we face, but I can't help but think this is the obvious course of action.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I do think Atlasia can and should do more to deal with the negative effects of global competition on its citizenry. I don't think that a tariff is the way to do it.

I'm glad to hear another member of our body acknowledge the fundamental crisis we face, but I can't help but think this is the obvious course of action.

     After years of Labor rule, it's hard to imagine that a 10-15% tariff would be sufficient to correct the damage done to Atlasia's international competitiveness. It would also make lots of imported goods more expensive, which wouldn't particularly help citizens.

     I would suggest focusing on making it more profitable to employ Atlasians. A very basic step would be to cut back or eliminate the H1B visa program. Beyond that, the South has created tax credits for hiring Atlasian citizens and bringing jobs back ashore.

    A tariff could help (supposing specifically that goods produced abroad and sold here count as imported, which I am admittedly not knowledgeable about), but it would have to be part of a much larger program to make a real difference.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

As I see it, this is exporting the cost of TNF's excessive economic legalism onto the backs of foreign goods and services, the producers of which will then have less money with which to buy goods and services from us. It would risk millions of jobs dependent upon what products we do export will be lost, as well as those in transportation, communications, wholesale and retail trade. And chances are you won't regain the jobs you are seeking, you will only drive more companies overseas as companies who rely on these goods in their supply chain are forced move overseas or worse shut down entirely.

It says something that the greatest era for Free Trade, also coincided with record levels of economic growth and prosperity, until the rest of the world had recovered from World War II and we found we couldn't compete with the antiquated equiptment and New Deal era economic hinderances.

I grew up in Pennsylvania. We drove by the ruined hulk of a steel mill everyday riding when my Mom went shopping or took my father to work. I know what competition can do, but I also know that a good deal of that is because we sent them onto the baseball field with two anvils tied around the legs and we wonder why the struck out everytime.

We should help our people compete, we should crack down on cheaters and we should make sure that we benefit from trade as much as possible. But slapping tariffs on stuff in a hap hazard manner is not going to restore our economy, it will give us an economic disaster.

[Maxwell]

Consumers think in terms of alternatives - If beer prices feel a shock upward, I guess I'm going to buy wine this week - while I agree in the short term higher prices could do damage, I believe it would force Atlasian industry out of the 3 decade slumber it has been in by forcing it to recognize the reality that it needs to produce at a better and higher level. I don't believe there's anything haphazard about it - I'm not raising tariffs to what they were at the height of industrialization and development in Atlasia, I'm merely raising them to minimal levels to even compete, even lower than in the 1950s when we had basically won the war and were the only world superpower. There is no reason for tariffs to be at the near 0% levels they are at today.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

In the 1950's tariff levels were being reduced through mult-lateral trade agreements.


It is easy to latch onto a historical level without the appropriate context. And remember, you said it yourself, won the war and were the only competitors. That means that foreigners had no choice but to pay whatever we demanded because we were the only source. So regardless of what we put on them they couldn't retaliate and still rebuild. And we were reducing our tariffs at the time to encourage trade and assist in the post war rebuilding as well.

If thisi s truly the minimal necessary to compete, I would prefer a matching system that works based off the particular circumstances with a country rather than the approach taken here.

[Maxwell]

In the 1950's tariff levels were being reduced through mult-lateral trade agreements.


It is easy to latch onto a historical level without the appropriate context. And remember, you said it yourself, won the war and were the only competitors. That means that foreigners had no choice but to pay whatever we demanded because we were the only source. So regardless of what we put on them they couldn't retaliate and still rebuild. And we were reducing our tariffs at the time to encourage trade and assist in the post war rebuilding as well.

If thisi s truly the minimal necessary to compete, I would prefer a matching system that works based off the particular circumstances with a country rather than the approach taken here.

Fair enough. I'm willing to engage on that front.

[Talleyrand]

I support this in principle.

I think we need to create a list of countries we label "cheaters" and another list labeled "allies". We must impose tariffs on 20% for cheaters, and 2% for allies. Otherwise we will be left with a crippled Atlasia!

[Maxwell]

I support this in principle.

I think we need to create a list of countries we label "cheaters" and another list labeled "allies". We must impose tariffs on 20% for cheaters, and 2% for allies. Otherwise we will be left with a crippled Atlasia!

I agree with this sentiment, Let's draft up a list!

[Barnes]

Slapping up a tariff on our trade policies is rather a hamfisted way to approach the issue, although I must say that having a debate on the topic itself is quite interesting so let us continue this road towards more activity.

I will reserve my judgement on this list until it is published, but there are more effective ways to spur economic growth while remaining engaged with the international community.

[Talleyrand]

Senator, I've proposed a preliminary list. Please tell me if you have any proposed revisions!!!

Allies
Israel

Cheaters
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Republic of the
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
UK (United Kingdom)
USA (United States of America)
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

[Maxwell]

I like it Talley my boy! Very accurate!

And Barnes, the point of this bill is something of a withdraw from the world. I'm not an isolationist in any sense, but I do believe developing our industries again means some distance from the world stage. Truth is, we can't really afford to keep up with our current role. As opposed to doing more and more, I propose we rephrase what our role in the world is.

[Senator Cris]

I think the list is inaccurate. Why countries like Italy, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Canada, Australia and a lot of others are "cheaters"?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Yeah, I'm not voting for that.

[Talleyrand]

Israel is our only constant ally. All those other nations have inflicted significant harm on the Atlasian economy at one time or another. I am disgusted by the anti-Israel sentiments some of you have expressed. Pathethic!!!

[Senator Cris]

Israel is our only constant ally. All those other nations have inflicted significant harm on the Atlasian economy at one time or another. I am disgusted by the anti-Israel sentiments some of you have expressed. Pathethic!!!

LOL. I'm not saying anything against Israel.
Saying that other countries are not cheaters doesn't mean anti-Israel sentiment.

However, I'm not voting for this bill if that list is included in the original bill.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I notice a distinct lack of Somaliland on that list. Also what Senators Cris and Truman said.

[Barnes]

I cannot support that list in any present state.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Senator, I've proposed a preliminary list. Please tell me if you have any proposed revisions!!!

Allies
Israel

Cheaters
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Republic of the
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar (Burma)
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
UK (United Kingdom)
USA (United States of America)
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City (Holy See)
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

My revisions, with my compliments.

[Prince of Salem]

>United States of America listed as an enemy

ayyyyyyyy

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Motion to table.

[Senator Cris]

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[Maxwell]

The next couple of days are going to be rough, but i'll offer a substantive amendment to this and other projects soon.