Reply #23: Protectionist, and damn proud of it [View All]

[unlawflcombatnt]

Trade may well be a good thing. But free trade "agreements" and the WTO are not. These trade agreements are nothing but a vehicle to allow Corporate America to shop globally for the cheapest labor, set up factories in cheap labor countries, and then ship these foreign produced products back into the United States without paying tariffs.

Free trade agreements have nothing to do with opening foreign consumer markets to American production. The countries we have entered into these "agreements" with are so poor that they will never be able to purchase significant American production. The combined GDP of the CAFTA countries is in the $0.035-0.045 trillion/year range. In contrast, U.S. GDP is over $12 trillion. The amount of American production that CAFTA countries could purchase from the U.S. is minuscule. In contrast, the number of American jobs they could take is tremendous, with a combined population of over 60 million. And without labor standards, a high percentage of that number can work, including children.

The real purpose of CAFTA, and all other free trade "agreements," is to allow Corporate America to replace high-wage American workers
with low-wage, semi-slave workers of 3rd world countries.

The only "markets" they're trying to open are the 3rd world labor markets. The goal is to open 3rd world labor markets to exploitation by American capital.

Those voting FOR WTO withdrawal understand this. That's why there were "yay" votes from both ends of the spectrum, from Bernie Sanders and Dennis Kucinich on the left, to Tom Tancredo and James Sensenbrenner on the right, and from libertarians like Ron Paul. All share at least one of the same concerns on this issue: exploitation of foreign labor forces American workers to compete with that same exploited labor. And this reduces the bargaining power of American workers.

This is not only bad for American workers, it's bad for all workers. Most world industries depend on the American consumer market for much of their sales. And a decline in American wages reduces the ability to sell production to the American consumer. Though it affects the United States the most, it also affects the countries who export to us.

I consider the label "protectionist" to be one of the most complimentary that could be given to a politician. After all, the mission of our governing bodies is to "protect" Americans. And protecting their jobs and incomes is one of the most noble and patriotic actions they could undertake.

I'm a militant protectionist. And damn proud of it.

unlawflcombatnt

EconomicPopulistCommentary

EconomicPatriotForum

___________
The economy needs balance between the "means of production" & "means of consumption."