Assistance Please!

by Don Boudreaux on May 30, 2006

I will soon begin writing a book on globalization.

As a consequence, I wonder if Uncle Sam will consider me to be a worthy candidate for "trade-adjustment assistance" — that is, to pay me if I can demonstrate that I suffer from foreign competition. After all, the world is full of superb, non-American writers on globalization, such as Johan Norberg and Martin Wolf. The books these gentlemen have written, and will surely write in the future, might well reduce market demand for my book, causing me to earn less income than I would earn were I protected from the competition of these and other foreign writers.

Why shouldn’t I apply for such assistance? If being subjected to foreign competition entitles blueberry and lychee-nut growers, catfish farmers, and several bushels of other American producers to taxpayer money, aren’t I also entitled to have my representatives on Capitol Hill pick Americans’ pockets on my behalf?

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Nailbanger

I'm sorry, I've just read this particular post of yours. I've lately been busy reading blogs by foreigners. So, yes, and you should be compensated for that too.

Is there anyway we could trade Obama for Mugabe? I'd like to have an experienced socialist economy wrecker than a noob.

jenni06

thank you

Jeff

You might have a case, if the US government gave a 35% tax break for publishing foreign authors but not domestic authors. Fortunately, this is not the case. Sadly, it is the case for many other workers in the US.

You still fail to grasp that the problem is government favoritism.

BlazerDriver

Dr. Boudreaux:

You have already completed your book about globalization. If competition from foreign authors Johan Norberg, Martin Wolf, or other scribes have diminished sales of your book, feel free to visit this URL apply for trade adjustment assistance.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/ITP/TAA/taa.asp