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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJust Don’t Do It, Sanders Urges Obama on Nike Trip
Just Don’t Do It, Sanders Urges Obama on Nike TripNike has taken advantage of free-trade agreements – similar to proposed new pact which Obama is touting – to offshore tens of thousands of American jobs to Vietnam and other low-wage countries.
“Nike epitomizes why disastrous unfettered free-trade policies during the past four decades have failed American workers, eroded our manufacturing base and increased income and wealth inequality in this country,” Sanders wrote in a letter he sent to the president yesterday.
As part of a campaign on Capitol Hill for a proposed 12-nation trade agreement, the Obama administration has been traveling the country talking about the pact’s supposed benefits.
Sanders and other opponents of the deal have argued that previous trade agreements cost millions of American jobs and widened the United States’ trade deficit – a pattern likely to be repeated if the largest ever trade deal is approved by Congress.
“It is no secret why Nike is supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This would increase the profits of Nike … but do nothing to encourage Nike to create one manufacturing job in this country. It would simply make Nike more money and increase the compensation packages of its executives,” Sanders wrote.
Since 2001, the U.S. has lost 60,000 factories. When Nike was founded in 1964, just 4 percent of footwear sold in the United States was imported. Today, that number has soared to 98 percent and Nike, like many other shoe companies, produces all of its products overseas.
Sanders said Congress should reject the free-trade agreement and instead develop policies that promote jobs in the United States.
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/just-dont-do-it-sanders-urges-obama-on-nike-trip
Read Bernie's letter to the President here or here
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merrily
(45,251 posts)Expand Social Security, as opposed to simply not cutting it?
No wonder Sanders scares some people.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)L0oniX
(31,493 posts)DrBulldog
(841 posts)I live just 7 miles from their headquarters ... and yet I always buy only New Balance. which is mostly American-made.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)But changed my plans...glad I did.
I would have been about 5 minutes away and with my luck, would have gotten stuck in traffic heading over to Powell's!
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)
CharlotteVale
(2,717 posts)
lark
(23,091 posts)How could he be so blind as to support Nike's version of employment. There's no way he believes this is good for American workers, but he's it appears he's getting his payoff from the 1% for this and so supports it more than any other initiative he's started since ACA. His legacy is being tarnished more every time he puts down real Dems who are raising the truths that he wants hidden.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)That is a good question, of course the easy answer would be that he is beholding to varied moneyed interests as are most corporate politicians.
I feel that there are deeper and more fundamental questions however, if one were to assume that he is a true believer in neoliberal trade policies, and I personally think he is, the question changes.
Why do so many, including some that post here, believe that neoliberal trade policies and ever increasing "rights" and legal protections for corporations (that are by nature and design Amoral and concerned only with profit even at the expense of human suffering) are sound policies for the country? Why do such people think such corporate sovereignty and reduction of labor and environment protections to its lowest possible denominator globally is good for the country, and indeed the world?
Obviously, for those sociopaths (in the clinical sense) that are unconcerned with the human part of the equation and who also will profit greatly at the expense of the workers and the environment world wide - the answer is as simple as a strong addiction to excess money that they will never need or spend, but how does one explain the others? I think Obama must really believe the neoliberal approach is somehow good for the people and he is not alone, such belief is a main driver of the new democrat philosophy, along with privatization of the commons and deregulation of both financial markets and product safety.
They, those that hold these damaging beliefs, are not all sociopaths (at least I hope not) and do not all stand to profit from a race to the bottom regarding wages, worker protections and environmental responsibility.
We must understand how and why anyone not a sociopathic billionaire or beneficiary of the large amounts of money passed along to insure the propagation of such destructive policies are true believers in the neoliberal vision, people like our President for instance or his kindred Hillary Clinton.
How could anybody think reducing the worldwide labor force to near slavery (in whichever country pays the least), while leaving a domestic workforce that requires living wages to survive without work and and danger of starvation is good for the country, or the people? I do not understand how people actually become indoctrinated into neoliberal philosophy when it so obviously causes so much poverty, desperation and destruction to the country.
This deeper question needs to be answered, those on the take that lack empathy for those they are condemning to poverty are simply purchased politicians that do not care about others, but what explains the rest?
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)One possible answer is a whole system of indoctrination and propaganda that creates neoliberal believers.
- Economics teachers teach about the benefits of "free trade" and comparative advantage, emphasizing the positives, not the negatives.
- People trust some politicians on these issues too. Many of us trusted Bill Clinton with NAFTA, China, and the WTO.
- The media repeats "free trade" talking points and keeps people in the dark by avoiding major trade issues like the TPP.
asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)Perhaps he wants this conversation to take place...keeps it in the news - make the American Public be intellectually curious and dig deeper into the subject....you are right, there is no way he believes this is good for American workers..but he can't do it alone...
The Prez strategy ????? - like GWB tying to sell privatization of SS - to satisfy Wall St..donors....
Another reason to nix Citizens United???
I would love to see the world countries raise corp taxes - an even playing field...no incentive to offshore...in my dreams, I know..
daleanime
(17,796 posts)
Debchemist
(2 posts)Democrats and Independents need to stop attacking President Obama and go after republicans. Find out what is in this agreement and stop trying to score political points at President Obama's expense.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)them.
No matter what party they claim to represent.
I imagine you are among the very few that will not be affected by deals that will take away your means of earning a living and feeding a family.
Most of us however, need our jobs to survive and have not only the right to attempt to protect ourselves, but also a biological imperative to survive that supersedes a love of a sports team or party one may like to root for as if it is the game it appears to be to so many (hint: this is not a sporting event, but rather an issue that can cause death by poverty).
Falling into poverty so that most jobs can be sent to countries where slave wages and abuse are the norm is or should not be required to be a loyal party member.
Check your privilege and your motives then get back to me.
TeamPooka
(24,220 posts)asiliveandbreathe
(8,203 posts)Can you imagine if all countries started raising their corporate taxes and minimum wages around the world..let's see those same corps. complain about US tax on corps...an even playing field would be great!!!!!
somewhere in last couple weeks -( I may have misread )- but I thought I read the country of Columbia, raising taxes on foreign corps?? Now if the TPP was in affect now - Columbia could be taken to the kangaroo court - and sued for "loss of profit" - is this what has the corporations on the run for the TPP?
Nix this whole TPP...and fast track......I am still wondering if the Prez is being held hostage by corps...feels so off to me - like when GWB went around the country trying to sell privatization of SS to pay back wall street campaign contributions?? Just sayin'...
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)
Guy Whitey Corngood
(26,500 posts)