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Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America appreciate the June jobs report that shows more people entering the work force, a slight uptick in wages, and 213,000 new jobs. They also bid a bitter farewell to EPA Director Scott Pruitt’s excellent conservative policies but happily watch his self-aggrandizing attitude exit the agency. And they believe President Trump has a legitimate concern about China’s trade policies, but they are unsure that the solution lies in tariffs and a trade war.
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The western provinces DO NOT subsidize forestry operations. The western provinces set stumpage fees about 20% lower than neighboring states like Washington, and Montana. There is not a direct subsidy, the crown just charges less for each tree.
Softwood lumber and steel are unique products, in that they create more jobs in the importer than they do in the exporting nation. We’re willing to sell you lumber at a significant discount to your domestic market, common sense would seem to dictate that you take the discount, create the jobs – and get lower cost housing, disaster preparation and recovery (all those windows you’ll board up in hurricane season costs a lot of money)
Or you could lower the stumpage fees in the western states to match? It is after all a tax, why not lower the tax to be competitive?
I do have a modest proposal. Expand the Supreme Court by two seats and add both Merrick Garland and Miguel Estrada.
Ooops.
Why are there only 9 court justices? Shouldnt there be one for each circuit court of appeals? and at least one alternate?