A sad day for American jobs

[MadHound]

Today was the day that Obama signed the three way free trade deal with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia.

Today was also the day that the first Mexican trucks were allowed to drive over the border, into the interior of this country, complete with Mexican drivers.

Both of these events herald the loss of even more American jobs. A sad day indeed.

[Poll_Blind]

1. Indeed. More here: AP: 1st Mexican truck scheduled to enter US interior today (LINK)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2161055">AP: 1st Mexican truck scheduled to enter US interior today

PB

[MadHound]

3. You can kiss the American trucking industry goodbye. n/t

[cynatnite]

12. Nope, not going anywhere. n/t

[MadHound]

18. Really?

American truckers started losing jobs today the moment that first Mexican truck went to the interior rather than stopping to drop its load at the border warehouse.

[A HERETIC I AM]

36. Oh, bullshit. n/t

[rpannier]

2. While it will likely pass in Korea

It's not a done deal
The opposition party wants modifications
It's passage could be derailed by the Seoul Mayoral Elections coming up
If the GNP candidate loses in Seoul (which seldom happens) the agreement will likely be slowed

[virgogal]

4. We are---Finished. Done. Kaput.Toast. Where are the people who

are supposed to put our interests first?

Gone,like rotary phones and The Model T. Gone.

[RKP5637]

8. We were talking here the other day, it's like this country has been invaded

and the agenda is to take the country totally down. Many decisions for years now IMO erode the country, not better it ... and the American workers are at the bottom of the totem pole. I have several WTF's each day now, it's endless.

[woo me with science]

28. Our government has certainly been invaded.

We don't have representation anymore.

[sarcasmo]

5. Truck drivers pay is already shit this will bring it down even further.

[louslobbs]

6. K&R.......Sigh.......n/t

Lou

[RKP5637]

7. It seems just about every decision made in this country favors deprivation of the

American worker. I just don't get it anymore, it's like we are trying our best to take the country down.

[Poll_Blind]

9. That's just the "unintended" consequence of the real goal, which is to pump corporations UP.nt

PB

[Horse with no Name]

22. Is that the REAL goal?

Or is it just to Shock Doctrine us?

Bring us down to the level of the workers in Indonesia? Make the ones that have jobs "grateful" that they have jobs? To incapacitate people economically so that they do not ever have a chance to rise up against the "machine"?

What TPTB do not realize--the MAJORITY of Americans are suffering through a "depression".

Taking everything WE have to keep them afloat is the goal right now to keep us from an "officially acknowledged" depression--you know, the one where Wall Street is affected.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. Obama made good on his promise of a jobs bill

It's Change, just not in the direction you wanted, you pony-coveting fringe-left unrealist.

[cynatnite]

11. There will always be a shortage of truck drivers

The turnover rate is very high.

This was part of NAFTA. The issue is whether allowing the drivers to operate here in the US will depress incomes for other drivers.

[ProSense]

13. Don't

"A sad day for American jobs"

...agree. The dire projections are all based on NAFTA, and not only were the agreements were renegotiated, but also President Obama has demonstrated that he will enforce U.S. trade laws.

Statement by the President on the Passage of Trade Agreements and Trade Adjustment Assistance

The landmark trade agreements and assistance for American workers that passed tonight are a major win for American workers and businesses. I’ve fought to make sure that these trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama deliver the best possible deal for our country, and I’ve insisted that we do more to help American workers who have been affected by global competition. Tonight’s vote, with bipartisan support, will significantly boost exports that bear the proud label “Made in America,” support tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs and protect labor rights, the environment and intellectual property. American automakers, farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, including many small businesses, will be able to compete and win in new markets. I look forward to signing these agreements, which will help achieve my goal of doubling American exports and keeping America competitive in the 21st century.

As far as a "sad day" for immediate American jobs, the GOP delivered.

Memo to media: Republicans are blocking President Obama's jobs bill (and it's okay to say it)

Obama: GOP Needs To Explain Why Americans Don’t Deserve Jobs

[Romulox]

14. Is this the same President who promised to renegotiate NAFTA?

:hi: :eyes:

[PearliePoo2]

15. The President said:

"Tonight’s vote, with bipartisan support, will significantly boost exports that bear the proud label “Made in America.”
Ummm....Mr. President, are there many products still being "Made In America"?
Seems to me that factories are closing down at a rapidly increasing rate.

[WinkyDink]

35. Yeah, the Koreans will be right there.

[slipslidingaway]

16. Republicans liked the trade deals, vote links ...

Look at all the no votes from Dems, guess did they not understand how these bills will create jobs.

Thankfully most Republicans did and voted aye, should we cheer for the Republicans now.

:shrug:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3078

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3079

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-3080

[Laelth]

21. Al Franken voted "yea" on the Korea trade deal? What gives?

Classic Clintonian triangulation, these trade pacts were. Mostly Republican support, signed by a "D" President.

-Laelth

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

23. Maybe Al Franken can read...

The trade agreement with South Korea is a far better arrangement than status quo.

[slipslidingaway]

25. Not sure, most Dems said no to these deals. Love how bipartisan equals mostly Repubs :( n/t

[pampango]

31. It's a base vs. politicians split on for Democrats and republicans.

[slipslidingaway]

33. Interesting, thanks n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. That giant sucking sound has become the chugging sound of an emptying toilet bowl

And we're at the bottom of the bowl, heading towards the sewer. This is not about third world people enjoying greater opportunities to compete. It's about employers doing everything to promote slave wage employment at home and abroad.

[glowing]

19. I think there are going to be some issues with this big time.

First, with Mexican trucks and drivers being able to drive in and deliver, many companies are going to ship to ports within Mexico. What kind of standards will the ports of Mexico insist on? Our own port security in this country is more than a bit lame. However, we do things like check shipments for invading species. So, Walmart will have products shipped from China, enter a Mexican port, load up the trucks, use Mexican trucks and truckers to bring the products into the United States. Is there a set up to inspect products coming thru this shipping/ transport routes from Mexico into the USA? Oh and the trucks and drivers do not operate by the same standards that US truckers must. They often take uppers to stay awake longer for the long hauls. There is no mandated rest after a certain amount of drive time. These truckers will now be sharing the Interstate with commuters. What happens when one the first one falls asleep and drifts into a mini-van of a mid-west, white family and kills them? The equipment of the truck does not have the same standards either. What happens if its mechanical failure that causes that same scenario crash. AND what happens when they truck into areas with snow and ice and have no idea or the proper truck gear to deal with slipping and sliding.. Are they allowed to carry hazardous materials? What happens if a truck with improper snow/ ice gear slides off a hill or corner and spill hazardous waste nearby a town... that now has to be evacuated.

Also, just because we have the ability to ship more product into other countries, doesn't mean that there will be enough demand by foreign countries for American products. Demand creates product and profits. If no one is buying American items in these other countries, then the amount to product that can enter into these foreign countries doesn't necessarily mean that it will happen. NAFTA has done a horrific job of ruining the small rural farmer and family fishing industry in Mexico. When Mexican waters, with less regulation, became opened up, big international companies moved in and used big fishing boats and factories out inventory for the small fishing villages. The rural farmer became more expensive than the imports of GMO foods that are subsidized by the US govt. There is a reason people in Mexico moved north for jobs when NAFTA was enacted.

Basically, when Dems and Repugs agree in a "bi-partisan" vote on something, you can bet that Americans and other people from around the world are about to get screwed.

[slipslidingaway]

26. Thanks, definitely some things to think about. The bipartisan China Trade bill worked well...

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h106-4444

H.R. 4444: U.S.-China Relations Act of 2000

"To authorize extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the People's Republic of China, and to establish a framework for relations between the United States and the People's Republic of China.

Sponsor: Rep. Bill Archer
This bill became law. It was signed by William Clinton..."


The three current trade bills were all sponsored by Eric Cantor, he obviously knows what is best for the people.

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Well mexico does inspect cargo for same invasive species

but here is the problem... they are workers, we are workers, when will workers get it? Divide and conquer, or organize continent wide? You think they'd do this if we had same pay scales? Rhetorical, I know... none can think beyond they are Mexican and we are American...

And this should be the answer to this... perhaps we will still see it... and it should be the PROPER response, For the record, they are also union workers.

[glowing]

32. I do agree with your sentiment. Occupy the World.

We do have to think globally and join together in solidarity. Are we even close to that prospect? Are we close to erasing border lines and countries? I'm not sure that we are close enough yet... Maybe, I never dreamed the Occupy movement would mean anything.. And the overhanded tactics of the police tells me that those at the top are scared, or they would ignore them.

[OhioChick]

20. More jobs down the shitter n/t

[AsahinaKimi]

24. SO it kinda makes you wonder...

How long before the CEOs of the Major corporations start to sell pieces of America off to other countries. Just seems like things are heading that way.. America for SALE... half price off! Meet with the President of Walmart today and get your free gift!!! Long Island!!

[MadHound]

30. Oh we're already doing that,

Toll roads to China, ports to Dubai, land to any who wants it, massive tracks of housing to anybody with cash. The sale is already on.

[woo me with science]

29. Another day, another betrayal. K&R nt

[WinkyDink]

34. Now the Mexican drug lords won't need to dig tunnels! Wheeee!