Reason.tv Attacks Bernie Sanders Over "Made In America" Souvenirs

[meegbear]

I recently saw a post on Big Government's website by Reason.tv regarding Bernie Sanders, in which the Vermont independent wanted the Smithsonian Institute to only sell souvenirs made in America.

In the midst of a massive fiscal crisis, a take-no-prisoners budget battle, a historically long recession, and two (make that three) wars, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) knows what really matters.

He’s pushing the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. to only sell bobble-heads, T-shirts, snow-globes, and other souvenirs that are made in America. After getting a letter from and taking a meeting with the self-described Green Mountain State socialist, the folks at the Smithsonian have agreed to increase the amount of domestically produced junk for sale in their gift shops. They’re even constructing a new gift shop solely to products manufactured in America that will be called the Price of Freedom.

During a recent trip to the National Mall, Reason.tv found that such nativist grandstanding plays well with the man in the street, but CATO policy analyst Sallie James says protectionism doesn’t come cheap. In fact, top-down attempts to keep Americans in low-level manufacturing jobs is a great way to ruin the economy, whether we’re talking about Founding Father thimbles or higher-end electronics.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Big Government and Reason.tv were actually advocating against American manufacturers because protectionist actions are damaging to the economy. This is interesting because of all the fear-mongering the right is guilty of - they constantly try to scare the "man in the street" into thinking China, or really any foreign nation, is out to take our jobs.

For example, there was this story, where the author Kerri Toloczko complains that the government should do something about China's illegal trade practices - those very same practices that make those super-cheap souvenirs in the Smithsonian's gift shop.

Bernie Sanders is an enemy of conservatives and the right will try to find any way to ridicule the man - especially if he uses one of their talking points...

http://www.themidnightreview.com/2011/04/reasontv-attacks-bernie-sanders-over.html

[HughBeaumont]

1. Reason = the heavy stench of Koch.

Drew Carey's one of their celebrity spokesbitches.

http://reason.com/archives/1997/11/01/stand-up-guy

[yellowcanine]

2. How about we agree that the Smithsonian quit selling junk altogether in their gift shops?

I could go for that. Let them sell books, art reprints, etc., but leave the junk - imported or otherwise - for the sidewalk venders?

[The Northerner]

5. +1

[KingOfLostSouls]

3. you can't call yourself "Reason" when you support republicans

what's next, a propaganda network calling itself fair and balanced?!?



oh wait....

[fasttense]

4. The cost of "free" market economics has been really high too.

"Protectionism doesn't come cheap." It all depends on who is paying the cost.

See "free" market economics is perfect for the uber rich but does little to help small businesses, entrepreneurs and workers.

While protectionism, or what RepubliCONS are calling protectionism, helps the small businesses, entrepreneurs and workers but does little to expand the wealth of the uber rich.