White House hails pact on trade

[stevedeshazer]

Unions promise fight on agreement with four Central American nations; Congress must approve CAFTA

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is hailing its recent free trade agreement with Central America as an important milestone toward the bigger prize of achieving a hemispherewide free trade area.

But labor unions are vowing an all-out effort to defeat the measure in Congress.

Judging by the reaction from unions and such politically sensitive sectors of the economy as textile makers and sugar growers, President Bush could be facing a major trade battle on Capitol Hill in the midst of next year's presidential campaign.

The Central American Free Trade Agreement would be the United States' sixth free trade agreement, all modeled along the lines of the 10-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement, which links the United States, Mexico and Canada.

more... http://www.sunspot.net/business/bal-bz.trade26dec26,0,7840189.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

[arcos]

1. I really hope Congress stops it...

because it will likely pass in Central American countries. It is amazing how this treaty will only benefit big corporations and harm workers in all the countries involved.

CAFTA must be stopped!

[stevedeshazer]

2. Me too

I don't have much confidence, though. Profit will trump reason.

Maybe it will be different this time.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. time to start emailing

congrss if they get enough pressure they just may think twice
about it

[Elwood P Dowd]

4. It will pass.

MAFTA - The Mars American Free Trade Agreement - would pass in the Senate. The battle will be in the House. They will probably have to spend a few billion of our money to buy enough votes. Might have to build some banana farms in Minnesota and Polar Bear reserves in South Florida, but Buy Bills Thomas, Dennis Hattrick, and Tom Vote Delay will get it done.

[izzie]

5. I think Clinton really let us down on these trade things.

Big business is going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg. The large American Middle class. It hits both ways. No person can buy and no taxes for the govt to buy for them. Who cares if you make a DVD if not one can buy one?It is a race to the bottom for sure at this rate. Look at Xmas shopping? When they buy is stating to say things.

[stevedeshazer]

6. I very much agree

Killing the middle class will have a big cost. Who can buy their stuff when the market bottoms out? It's an unsustainable economy.