Pass the Colombian Trade Pact

[Zorro]

<snip>

We don’t say it all that often, but President Bush is right: Congress should pass the Colombian free-trade agreement now.

Mr. Bush signed the deal two years ago. The Democratic majority in Congress has refused to approve it out of a legitimate concern over the state of human rights in Colombia and less legitimate desires to pander to organized labor or deny Mr. Bush a foreign policy win.

We believe that the trade pact would be good for America’s economy and workers. Rejecting it would send a dismal message to allies the world over that the United States is an unreliable partner and, despite all that it preaches, does not really believe in opening markets to trade. There is no more time to waste. If the lame-duck Congress does not approve the trade pact this year, prospects would dim considerably since it would lose the cover of the rule (formerly known as fast track) that provides for an up-or-down, no-amendment vote.

Because of trade preferences granted as part of the war on drugs, most Colombian exports already are exempt from United States tariffs. The new agreement would benefit American companies that now have to pay high tariffs on exports to Colombia.

<snip>

More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/opinion/18tue1.html?em

[acmavm]

1. You betcha, because we all know how great all these other trade

pacts have been for America. And toss into that the bush** fubar factor and who could resist?

[Blue_in_Mass]

2. They shouldn't pass that trade pact with Colombia.

That country has been vicious at suppressing unions and union organizers. Their army has a habit of going out and murdering people that dare organize workers, given that links have been established between army officers and outfits such as the AUC. We, leftists and pro-labor types, should understand that the struggle for worker's rights is INTERNATIONAL in essence, that we cannot remain divided by geography when the other side isn't.

That trade pact should only be considered when there is a proper left (read: pro-worker) leaning government in that country.