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snoodog  ·  2945 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: In which Ross Douthat uses just war criteria to argue against Trump

These statements aren't all contradictions, just to play devils advocate Ill show you how they can be true.

    "Immigrants are taking your jobs!" vs "Immigrants are a burden on the welfare system!"

My co-worker (great guy hard worker) immigrated here and hes clearly "Taking a job" but a large chunk of his extended family is on welfare and he spends a lot of his income supporting them. So both statements can simultaneously be true.

    "Reduce government spending!" vs "Our corn farmers need subsidies to stay afloat!"

Obviously it would be nice to reduce government spending and subsidies but if other governments are providing subsidies as well the only way to keep the industry afloat is to provide subsidies as well. I dont think that's true with corn but aircraft it is.

    "Reduce the size of government!" vs "Legislate against lifestyles I don't identify with!"

DOMA happened under Clinton but also DOMA did not increase or decrease the size of goverment

    "Environmental regulation is killing business!" vs "My tap water is giving my baby cancer!"

Bad environmental regulation does kill business but it can also simultaneously give your baby cancer. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_spotted_owl

    "Products are too expensive!" vs "Trade deals are hurting our local industry!"

AMERICAN... products are too expensive, because trade deals have moved the entire supply base overseas. If all the raw materials are made overseas even if all other costs are the same transportation becomes a big cost as its expensive to transport raw materials.

    "Provide a level playing field for business!" vs "But give me this subsidy, or I won't vote for you!"

Large companies have a massive advantage over small shops. They pay few taxes while small shops can pay a ton in taxes. And technically all city infrastructure matching is a subsidy so if you want that road/bridge/tram in your town the money has to come from somewhere.

Just some food for thought