So how do you reform free trade?

[fujiyama]

I was just reading the other post about free trade, and was wondering, if most of the people here are against it, how do you think it should be reformed?

It's not as simple as saying, "outsourcing should be banned" because corporate control is almost absolute in this nation. They control politics and with that being the case, they write laws favorable to themselves.

Plus, what really is the best way to help world poverty? Or is this irrelevent to most on the left? I think this goes hand in hand with it, because a huge cause for world poverty (especially in African nations) has to do with agricultural subsidies from the US and Europe. Those nations which trade the least with the world, perform poorest in nearly every way.

Many here are against other nations undercutting labor costs here. I agree in some cases it is disturbing, especially when it comes to sweatshops (and in these cases I agree wholheartedly with those on the left), but when it comes to tech jobs, those being exported are PAID WELL abroad. The fact is, even if they are making ten times less than what a tech worker would be paid here, for their standard of living, they are being paid quite well.

Even in the case of sweatshops, if those jobs didn't exist there in the first place, the people, in many cases, would live in even worse conditions. I know of atleast one case (Bangladesh or elsewhere) where a company was forced out, and the girls ended up as child prostitutes. Granted such situations shouldn't exist, since enough conditions (labor, environmental, etc) should be built in to international trade agreements so it wouldn't happen, but we see how dire conditions are in the first place.

Some here would prefer tarrifs. This would be foolish and would result in a trade war. We would lose out. I don't understand how this would help us.

So anyone here have any practical solutions or ideas on how the US can regain the edge when it comes to technology? I think investment in scirnce and technology would be useful, as would educating people here in those areas. That and definetely implement reforms in world trade agreements (NAFTA, WTO) to make sure human rights abuses and environmental destruction does not take place. That, closing corporate loopholes, and perhaps even tax penalties for those that export jobs...These are a bit simplistic, but within the framework of current trade agreements, what do you think should be done?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Start with UN resolutions

against child labor and slave labor. I believe there are some on the books, and US law should strictly enforce them. That means we don't trade with companies/countries that employ these tactics. We should be proactive in providing the UN funds to investigate alligations of child/slave labor in a timely manner.

At home, we should encourage initiatives that nurture small business and competition. The FCC ruling that allows fewer and fewer people to own the media should be overturned; rulings like it in other areas should also be repealed. Competition should be encouraged by the laws and regulations passed by Congress.

Finally, individuals should take the initiative in this area. Small businesses/small family farms should be supported. Mega stores with labor policies you dislike should be avoided whenever possible. I try to shop downtown in the little city where I work, and am willing to pay more to support a local business rather than Wal-Mart.

And you should try to educate other consumers. I went into a shop and looked at the tags on jeans. A clerk came up and asked if I was having trouble finding my size. I told her I was looking to see where the garments were made. I reminded her that some countries have a reputation for child/slave labor, and asked if she was sure the company that made the jeans had been checked out to make sure they were paying their workers a living wage for wherever they were from. I went on to remind her that in that very town a Levis factory shut down a few years back, and how it makes a great deal of difference to communities that people have work that pays enough for them to support their families. From her expression, I'm sure she decided I was nuts, but I did make her think, if only a little bit.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

2. Two steps

1. Cancel NAFTA and GATT immediately. Please note that this does NOT mean that tarriffs will be immediately levied, even though the corporate appeasers always like to say that.

2. Begin bilateral negotiations with our trading partners, focusing on wages and labor rights and environmental protections.

It's not like it's a big secret.

[DeathvadeR]

3. Continue the Trade but

It must be fair to everyone and not used as political leverage using tools of trade laws to control.... the environment needs to come first. The biggest problem I feel is that other nations are not being treated fairly. Exploitation of developing countries has to end!!!!! And we cannot rob the resources of those countries that will need them for their own use in the future, regardless of wheather another needs them now. And we cannot allow them to destroy their own environment so others can purchase cheaper crap that just ends up breaking. Start there and Im down.

Greed is once again continuing to due us in.

[Kamika]

4. make a EXTREME Fine on moving out of the us

Like make it so a company has to pay 50% of what it's currently worth if they decide to move out of the US.

And that goes for any kind of job opportunity. So even if a company actually stays here, but decides that the shoe producing unit is to be relocated to China they still have to pay that.


And really encourage Unions

[Armstead]

5. Take it back to nations

Bi-lateral trade negotiations, rather than global "one size fits all" answers. INternational trade bodies should be reduced to arbitrators in disputes, not a global government.

Take politics out of it. "Free trade" as it is now constituted has ONE purpose. To gut national (and local) laws so they cannot control or stand up to the forces of commerce. It is simply right-wing politics on a global scale.

Use the power of the US market for good instead of evil. We can enforce labor and envirpnental standards in the terms of goods we accept from other nations. (We can be flexible to accomodate different situations, but we should have a basic set of standards.)


.......Just a few thoughts