Bush criticizes CAFTA foes as votes remain short

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush criticized as "economic isolationists" the opponents of a free trade agreement with Central America on Wednesday, as the White House and business groups struggled to win congressional votes for the pact.

"See I have a different approach to some of the economic isolationists who oppose this agreement. I believe they're pessimistic about America. I believe American workers can compete with anybody, anywhere, anytime if the rules are fair," Bush said during a visit to a Maryland nuclear plant.

The Bush administration has been trying to reach a deal with sugar-state lawmakers to alleviate their concerns about the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, which is also opposed by labor groups and some textile and manufacturing organizations who fear it will lead to job losses.

Most farm and business groups support the pact, which they expect to boost exports to the Central American region.

According to a Senate source, a new proposal from the administration relating to the sugar provisions in the pact was turned down by the industry on Wednesday.

~snip~
more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050622/pl_nm/trade_cafta_usa_dc;_

[Judi Lynn]

1. Terrific. I hope he goes down in flames on this issue.

Central American people most surely do NOT want this pathetic piece of trash destroying their lives by flooding their markets with cheap American products and putting them out of business.

Why the holy hell should Americans want it, either, knowing the almost irreversable damage it would do?

Some interesting news at the end of the article:

Rep. Robin Hayes (news, bio, voting record), a North Carolina Republican who helped the White House win authority in 2002 to negotiate trade agreements that can not be changed by Congress, told reporters on Tuesday that he was leaning no against CAFTA. Hayes was re-elected last year with 55 percent of the vote.

[FightingIrish]

2. It gets better...

The next good deal will be a trade agreement to open trade with all the impoverished countries south of the equator. The Southern Hemisphere American Free Trade Agreement will be known as SHAFTA.

[Miss Chybil]

4. LOL! SHAFTA. I love it.

:rofl:

[mom cat]

11. That should be nominated for DU tee shirt!

[Judi Lynn]

13. Yes! Shafta! n/t

[Miss Chybil]

3. It should be American products that can compete with any product

anywhere, not our people. How can we compete with 2nd world wages? He's trying to goad people into cheerleading their own demise.

[annabanana]

5. as they see it......

[Al-CIAda]

6. I believe American workers can compete with anybody, anywhere, anytime if

"I believe American workers can compete with anybody, anywhere, anytime if the rules are fair,"

TRANSLATION: We will lower our environmental, safety, and health standards to that of the 3rd world.

[Sandpiper]

8. You forgot wages

We'll never be competetive with them until our wages are as low.

[K-W]

7. American workers shouldnt have to compete with anyone.

There is nothing isolationist about wanting companies established under US law to employ US citizens. When Bush is ready to accept international law we can talk about the international economy. Until then why doesnt he worry about developing our nation, you know, the one he was elected to preside over.

Meanwhile its important to note that Bush is himself an isolationist, a very staunch one.

[meganmonkey]

9. Good point. Socio-political-cultural isolationism

is what he is best at. And as our deficit continues to skyrocket we will become more economically isolated.

He's so full of shit.

[stickdog]

10. NAFTA lowered both our wages and Mexico's. But that was the point.

Of course.

[warrens]

12. CAFTA is the nose under the tent

It's a flawed patchwork of gifts to various industries, and while it's only really harmful to a couple (textiles and other labor intensive industries), it's the blueprint for AFTA (Andean Free Trade Agreement) and WTAA, which are two massive trade agreements, and the WTO global trade treaty. If we don't get these right, we'll be in the reverse position of where we are now, trading our jobs and knowledge for cheap trinkets.

[Supersedeas]

14. Libby Dole at least is standing strong with the pResdient on this