Rep. Melissa Bean responds to my email and call: (ugh)

[coffeenap]

Dear

Thank you for contacting me about H.R. 3045, The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). I am honored to represent you, and I appreciate your active participation in our legislative process. Your involvement makes democracy work better by helping me more effectively represent you and Illinois' Eighth District.

On July 27th, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3045 by a margin of 217 to 215. I believe that trade can and should be a vehicle for economic growth, both here in America and around the world. I support trade agreements that, on balance, encourage job growth and market expansion that will benefit our local economy. While not perfect, CAFTA is designed to provide such benefits, and I chose to support it for that reason.

Currently, eighty percent of everything Central America sends to the United States enters the U.S. duty free. But U.S.-made products exported to Central America still pay hefty tariffs. By eliminating these tariffs CAFTA will put American businesses on a more level playing field with foreign competitors, which will benefit companies in my district, their smaller suppliers, employees and customers.

By eliminating nearly $1 billion per year in foreign taxes on U.S.-produced goods, CAFTA will help medical device makers like Baxter Healthcare, pharmaceutical companies like Abbott Labs, aerospace firms like Boeing and technology companies like Motorola expand their market access, thereby helping create more jobs here at home.

CAFTA's reduction of tariffs on agricultural goods like sugar will help candy makers like Mars, food makers like Kraft and soft drink producers like Pepsi-Cola. CAFTA's strong intellectual property protections will help ensure the competitiveness of American businesses-particularly the high-technology and biomedical industries with a presence in northeastern Illinois.

While there is no doubt that the CAFTA countries must continue to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental laws, for the first time in any trade agreement, CAFTA includes $60 million in funding specifically aimed at improving labor ministries, enforcement personnel and environmental regulation. Turning our back on Central America's fragile democracies by rejecting this agreement is simply not an answer.

Our nation's economy is a part of a rapidly changing global market. Having spent more than 20 years in the high-tech industry and as an international consultant, I have seen first-hand the benefits of creating alliances and expanding market opportunities. At the same time, I recognize the need to improve Trade Adjustment Assistance that helps workers adapt to the changes of our new economy with education and training.

Thank you again for contacting me about this issue. I am proud to serve Illinois' Eighth District, and I am committed to working hard for you. Please do not hesitate to write, call or email if I can ever help you in any way.

Sincerely,

Melissa L. Bean
Member of Congress

[Horse with no Name]

1. In other words

Baxter, Abbott labs, Motorola, et al lined her pockets with money.
Nice.
IF the jobs would stay at home that would be great...but we all know that the jobs will be outsourced faster than you can say "screw you I got mine".

[coffeenap]

2. yep

[dave502d]

4. That what i would say.

[Geek_Girl]

3. I guess her constituents

are Motorola, Mars, Boeing, Pepsi

[brentspeak]

5. I couldn't find any information on specific corporate donors

but her wikipedia entry lists her as being a "president of a consulting firm whose clients include several Fortune 1000 companies."

Because labor gave her so much money for her 2004 winning campaign (about $250,000), she's going to have a very tough time being reelected in 2006, now that it's guaranteed labor will no longer support her. And considering that her district is traditionally a very Republican one, and that she needs all the help she can get, Bean really screwed up.

[safi0]

6. Labor will probably

Still support her. The Republican going against her will probably be so riddiculously pro-corporate that they will either support Bean or sit this one out.

I can somewhat understand this from her perspective. I believe Bean's district is the richest in the Midwest, it includes Highland Park where all the Chicago Bulls and Bears live. She probably has to appease a lot of the pro-corporate crowd because much of her constituency is the pro-corporate crowd.

[RetroLounge]

7. "thereby helping create more jobs here at home"

that can be outsourced faster than you can say "one-term..."

RL

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. The question is not only who contributed money to her campaign, but

which potential sweatshop builders are located in her district.

She, like all the other traitors, desperately needs a primary challenger.

[safi0]

9. The thing is though

If we get a real Progressive who'll stand up for Labor, he/she may be able to beat Bean in a primary but in that district he/she would get crushed by the Puke in the GE

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Don't be so sure

If the blue collar voters see someone who actually cares about their interests and is willing to stick up for them without getting all wishy-washy at the sight of a potential rich contributor, they just might switch.

[safi0]

11. I'm not trying

To offend you but do you know any of the Demographics of Bean's district. Her district is the richest in all of the Midwest. Her district is extremely white collar. Labor may make up part of her constituency but unless she gets a large number of the rich folks to vote for her she won't win. Which is why if you give her a primary challenge that person may be able to win in the primary, but they'd get crushed in the GE

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. I say "don't be so sure" because a very affluent

state legislative district outside of Portland went from uncontested Republican to liberal Democrat winning comfortably in three election cycles.

Anything can happen. Who could have predicted the Republicans making such gains in Minnesota, although there are hopeful signs that they're wearing out their welcome.

[KharmaTrain]

14. I'm In Melissa's District...

This area hasn't had a Democrat..and we're glad to be rid of 30 years of Phil Crane who had a 100% right wing Conservative voting record.

A lot of us worked hard in helping Melissa get elected and we know it'll be even harder the next time as this district is on the GOOP radar. There are already several candidates trolling the area and hitting on those same big corporations.

A lot of what labor brought in came in at the last moment...and had little impact on what turned the election. People here were tired of the drunk, corrupt and old Crane.

Now would you exchange Melissa's vote on woman's rights or ending this evil war for a right wing Repugnican?

As long as people use templates and litmus tests, it'll be hard to elect Democrats in red states and "purple" areas of blue states.

[safi0]

15. I think

Kharma train just explained it perfectly

[Maine-ah]

13. what, do these guys have a form letter they all use?

it sounds like every reply I have ever received from Susan Collins and Olympia Snow.