Democrats, Bush strike deal on trade

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC News

Democrats, Bush strike deal on trade
By Doug Palmer
May 10, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration and Congress reached a deal on Thursday that paves the way for U.S. approval of free-trade pacts with Peru and Panama but leaves agreements with South Korea and Colombia in doubt.

The leader of the House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said the deal set the stage for a "free and fair" U.S. trade policy by incorporating enforceable labor and environmental standards into bilateral trade deals.

"Our economic future rests on our ability to open new markets for U.S. goods and services," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said at a news conference with other senior lawmakers and two Bush administration Cabinet officials. "We must also do much more to address consequences of globalization."
(snip)

The Colombia pact faces an additional obstacle because of that country's long history of violence against union workers and other concerns, Levin said.

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=3163178

[madfloridian]

1. Unfortunately....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=865133&mesg_id=865133

They forgot to the labor/union voices in the caucus what was in it.

[katsy]

2. I'm confused.

"Our economic future rests on our ability to open new markets for U.S. goods and services," Pelosi, a California Democrat, said at a news conference with other senior lawmakers and two Bush administration Cabinet officials. "We must also do much more to address consequences of globalization."

What exactly do we make here, Speaker Pelosi? Manufacturing will continue out the door, and good-paying service jobs are also being outsourced. What is it that WE, left behind in America, can market to any country that doesn't already have the ability to make for themselves?

And another bothersome point for me: why don't corporations go out and compete in foreign countries for themselves? Why is our government working for them? Just a tad nostalgic for... of, for and by the people.

[pampango]

10. We are still the second largest exporter in the world.

Second to Germany (a high wage, much smaller country than us) not to China.

"What exactly do we make here, Speaker Pelosi?" Not sure, but we must still make something, if we export so much. Pelosi said that these deals "incorporat(e) enforceable labor and environmental standards". Are we against all trade deals or just those without enforceable labor and environmental standards? We can be against "free" trade (because it isn't free), but are we not in favor of "fair" trade (or is there no such thing with the Third World)?

[katsy]

11. Agree about fair trade.

But how are they going to enforce it?

[pampango]

15. Good question. Pelosi says they are enforceable, so I'll give her

the benefit of the doubt, but you do wonder what the mechanics will be.

[pschoeb]

26. Not really, China is first, then Germany second,

The only reason China is listed third, is that Hong Kong is excluded, once you add in Hong Kong's exports, China is by far the largest exporter. And even with Hong Kong excluded China is very close to American exports.

[loudsue]

19. "WE, left behind in America".....no shit!! Good bumper sticker, Katsy!

This adds a whole new meaning to "Left Behind".

:kick::kick::kick:

[depakid]

30. "What do we make here?"

Corn- subsidized corn and corn syrup that's responsible for a dramatic rise in obesity in Central and South America, while at the same time, putting rural farmers out of business, which drives undocumented immigration.

Way to go, Dems....

[treestar]

31. We export corn

A lot to Mexico, for example, and since our corn is subsidized, it is cheaper than Mexican corn, and throws poorer Mexicans off their land.

[mhatrw]

3. How frustrating, disappointing and maddening!

Read all about this travesty:

http://davidsirota.com/

[Mojorabbit]

4. Oh please

let this not be true. If what he says in the article IS true, we have truly lost this country.

[Peace Patriot]

5. !@#$#%$$^!!!!!!! nt

[izzie]

6. I have not gone with either parties on these trade deals.

I know we have to trade but I see no reason to give the President fast track and I see no reason we can not add on things into these deals to help our own workers and workers in other countries. Looks like they are deals for the stock holders. I can not tell you just when I saw anything go down in price but I am not a buyer of much so I may be way off on that. I would say you are still paying 100 for the 5 dollar sneaker and of course the person who made it can not buy it as they do not make enough. Clinton was just as bad on this as any GOP person.

[ShortnFiery]

7. Perhaps, we need 3rd Parties to keep OUR beloved *establishment democrats* for The People?

:shrug:

[izzie]

8. I would think that there must be smart people who could put in a good trade

program that helps all workers every place. I see most of these as Wall Street Plans. I am a capitalist and live on my stocks in some percent of my income but I see govt. as doing some over sight on all this as the only way a modern society can work.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Too bad that at least 50% of us can't be "taken care" of with wall street welfare

Nice to meet you Capitalist - I'm half way toward being an Anarchist. ;)

[izzie]

24. I believe every one should be able to do this

sell their talent and keep the profits of their work for them self. If I must hire some one to aid in that then I must pay them a wage of reason. I do not believe my talent belongs to the state or some powerful person to control. Yes I am a capitalists and am some what living on saving of a life time of work. I see nothing wrong with this. I am sure not rich or even well off and I guess I would be called poor by some but for some reason I am not a poor person. Only if you put a value of money on what I have. I feel very well off. I also believe we all must add to the pot to keep our society going. Taxes must be paid in a modern society like we wish to live in.

[EnviroBat]

9. I'm getting really fed up with these closed-door, back-office "deals".

What the hell does Pelosi think she's doing? My trust for her is really starting to wain.

[Justyce]

13. Unfortunately, I agree...

[mhatrw]

14. I don't understand the lack of interest in this back room sell out.

Please keep this topic kicked.

[bbgrunt]

16. this is outrageous. WTF???

[gulfcoastliberal]

17. Glad to see bipartisan support for eliminating US jobs!

At least both parties agree on gutting the middle class and continue working to make the US a 3rd world country.

[CRH]

18. Why the 'Government by Stealth'? ...

Why are NDC, DLC, Bluedogs, afraid of open debate and transparent government?

It will be very interesting when labor has a chance to comment on the language and real effect of this new 'fair trade policy'. Whenever I see government by stealth, I immediately wonder what is being hidden behind the veil of shenanigans. If it is the best thing since sliced bread, why hide within the manipulation of process.

[Zodiak]

20. Another concession to Bush and a victory for K street

Our government is broken because neither party is interested at ALL in representing the People, even when the People rise up and vote for them.

I expect this from Republicans....not from Democrats.

As long as we continue to listen to New Democrats, DLCers, Blue Dogs and everyone else who wants to water down the needs of the People, then we are going to slowly spiral into destitution. And we deserve it for our collective apathy and sycophantism.

I am ready for new leadership. Pelosi doesn't seem to be much more effctive than Daschle in fighting for the People.

[The Magistrate]

21. The Thing May Not Be Quite All That And A Bag Of Chips, Sir

"The deal announced on Thursday includes a binding commitment for the United States and its four free-trade partners to abide by five core International Labor Organization standards, such as the right to organize and bargain collectively and the regulation of child labor.

"It also makes seven major multilateral agreements enforceable under the bilateral trade pacts.

"Other parts of the deal affect intellectual property, port security and government procurement provisions of the four pending trade pacts. One section is aimed at ensuring patent protections do not interfere with the ability of poor people to have access to life-saving drugs."

[Zodiak]

22. And what do American citizens get?

There is an awful lot of wiggle room between hiring children to work for nothing and paying people a living wage. None of hat I see here shows how a single American worker will benefit.

What are the short and long-term effects of this free trade agreements? What are the five stndards of international labor organizations specifically? And what are the seven major multilateral agreements?

None of what you cite provides any details. I am no longer impressed by flowery optimism and assurances by our allies. I want to see the projected effects of this agreement and I want to see the details of the agreement. So far, we have squat but assurances from a government that barely reads legislation before they vote on it or deliberately hides details of legislation until it has already passed.

I am so far beyond giving the benefit of the doubt.

Our leaders know that free trade deals are unpopular...which is why I suspect that there is little by way of detils available. If we don't know what is in the deal, we can't complain about it, right?

Sirota and I both come down on issues similarly, and if he is raising a red flag, I am listening.

[The Magistrate]

23. As A General Thing, Sir

What raises the condition of labor in currently low-wage countries rebounds to the benefit of workers everywhere, as it operates against the 'race to the bottom' presently pre-occupying predatory capital. Internationalism is not my strong suit, but in this sphere it strikes me as valid, and of some importance.

Sirota operates in rather the opposite way with me than with you, apparently....

[CHIMO]

25. A Subversion of American Democracy? White House & Democratic Leadership Agree on Secret Trade Deal

A Subversion of American Democracy? White House & Democratic Leadership Agree on Secret Trade Deal

Rick MacArthur, publisher of Harper's Magazine, and author of the book "The Selling of “Free Trade: NAFTA, Washington, and the Subversion of American Democracy," discusses what's been happening behind closed doors on Capitol Hill and why many environmentalists, AIDS activists, American labor unions, and social movements in Latin America oppose the deal.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/22/1412233

[ryanmuegge]

29. A bi-partisan agreement on an economic issue with Republicans is always scary

And what issue isn't an economic one with them?

These are the same people that were so greedy that they hated Clinton even though he gave their constituency what they wanted on a silver platter 99% of the time. It still wasn't enough. It never is enough for the economic elite.

[pberq]

27. "We must do much more to address the consequences of globalization"

What???

So, Madame Speaker, please explain how a backroom deal with Bush addresses the consequences of globalization.

[bobthedrummer]

28. Kick, and another article to consider

"Iraq war funding bill fiasco masks collusion between Bush and Democrats" by Larry Chin
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=5780

[IndianaGreen]

32. How many bribes were paid to Democrats to agree to these neoliberal trade agreements?

They got bribes for the agreement with Colombia, which has yet to pass:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3287025&mesg_id=3287025

Interesting that these agreements are not popular among the people of Latin America. Only their elites, and our own, seem to want this crap.