Letters to the editor

Tariffs There is a lot of psychology in individual decisions. Most are made by weighing pleasure vs. pain. We have to take money out of our pocket to pay for a purchase (pain). How much pleasure will result from that purchase — if you buy ice cream, a coat, or a home? Tariffs also live in that same environment. Tariffs are levied at the border and paid for by the merchant. Since the merchant's costs have gone up, he has no choice but to pass it along to the consumer in terms of higher prices. Now, the consumer has the pain vs. pleasure choice. If he buys, he pays the higher price. Where does the tariff revenue go? It goes to the government. The politicians decide what to do with it. So, it really is a tax on the consumer. Now, if you were to vote on whether to impose a tariff on the goods you consumer, how would you vote? Generally, voters would not vote for a tax increase unless it is for a worthy cause. When politicians take actions that are not in accord with the voters' wishes, they are out at the next election. And that is the reason tariffs do not work. Charles Shanfelt Findlay