Is Clark's position on Nafta and healthcare the same as all the others...?

[kentuck]

except Kucinich and Sharpton? Does that mean he is in the mainstream? I wish he would reconsider those positions - at least the Nafta position. It seems like he has adopted Bill Clinton's positions on these issues because he feels that is a safe position to take when you don't have any strong beliefs, one way or the other? That's just my impression.

I wish our Party would change its position on Nafta. Just because Bill Clinton signed it does not make it good. The majority of Democrats in the House and Senate were opposed, as best I recollect? So why do they cling to it so religiously?

[deminflorida]

1. I think Clark realizes that there are problems with NAFTA to say...

the least. Internationally however he realizes that it is the only way for us to compete with the EU in the world economy. It needs super revision, in order to stop the bleeding of American jobs to cheap labor markets.

Clark is a realist however, and often will not try and re-create the wheel. His plans to shore up the employment losses and global trade are very detailed and realistic.

Let trade benefit American manufacturers by insisting that all nations play by the rules. Americans must not shy away from global competition. Trade can increase growth and raising living standards for everyone, but only if all countries play by the rules. Wes Clark also believes we should review all of our existing trade agreements to ensure that our trading partners are living up to the provisions requiring other countries to open their markets to U.S. products, including elimination of non-tariff barriers. We must also ensure that China is complying with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Finally, Wes Clark believes that environmental and internationally recognized core labor standards should be an integral part of all future trade agreements. Wes Clark will protect American jobs and workers by enforcing America's trade laws and increasing funding for trade enforcement, not cutting it as the Bush Administration has done.

The Bush Administration's decision to limit a surge in imports from three narrowly defined categories of textiles is too little and too late for America's struggling textile firms. It is inexplicable that this Administration waited so long to exercise its legitimate legal authority to protect American workers from exactly the type of import surges from China that the rules are designed to prevent. Wes Clark would invoke protections for all textiles sectors that face surges in imports from China.

2. STOP REWARDING COMPANIES THAT MOVE JOBS OVERSEAS AND START REWARDING COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE IN AMERICA

Require companies to disclose layoffs in America and job increases overseas. Consumer, investors, and workers all have the right to know which companies are moving which jobs overseas. As President, Wes Clark would work to develop a system of timely reporting to ensure that we have timely and accurate information on companies that export jobs.

Stop rewarding companies that shift jobs overseas. As President, Wes Clark would eliminate government incentives for companies to shift jobs overseas.

Stop tax breaks for companies that move overseas for tax reasons. Wes Clark would close outrageous loopholes in the tax code, like the ones that allow companies to avoid taxes by shifting income to Bermuda. In addition, Wes Clark would institute a 90-day review of all tax and spending provisions affecting large manufacturing firms. The review will focus on eliminating tax and spending provisions that give manufacturing firms incentives to move jobs overseas.

"Buy American": As President, Wes Clark would strengthen America's manufacturing base by developing "Buy American" guidelines for defense and other government procurement.

Deny government contracts to firms that move headquarters overseas for tax reasons or shift substantial numbers of U.S. jobs overseas. Wes Clark believes that companies should not be rewarded for moving their headquarters to overseas tax havens or shift substantial numbers of U.S. jobs abroad. As President, he will look for ways to make certain these companies are not rewarded with government contracts.

Start rewarding companies that create jobs in America. As President, Wes Clark would seek to implement tax and spending initiatives - above and beyond the $10,000 job creation tax credit - that provide manufacturing firms the incentive to keep existing manufacturing jobs in the United States.

Work to raise standards globally, creating a win-win for America's workers and for international development. Wes Clark would work with other countries to help raise their labor and environmental standards, transforming a race to the bottom into improvements benefit for America's workers and encourage international development. This will eliminate the rush of manufacturers to open factories in countries with hazardous factory conditions, forced labor, child labor, and suppression of freedom of association.

3. CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR OF THE FUTURE


Reduce labor costs by making healthcare more affordable. The National Association of Manufacturers has stated that "the rising cost of health care coverage is one of the biggest impediments to sustained recovery in the manufacturing sector." The AFL-CIO's manufacturing agenda features health care reform as a central element. Wes Clark's health care plan would establish universal access to more affordable health care, while ensuring that America's families and employers get better value for their health dollars. Wes Clark also supports a comprehensive, meaningful, and affordable prescription drug benefit for Medicare.

Promote Pension Reforms. Wes Clark will fight for pension reform to strengthen "defined benefit" pension plans. He will also explore ways to relieve companies of some pension burdens that make American companies less able to compete with the foreign manufacturers.

Lower the cost of capital through deficit reduction and tax reform. Wes Clark's "Saving for America's Future" plan reduces the budget deficit every year, lowering interest rates. Lowering the cost of capital will allow America's companies to invest and grow. In addition, Wes Clark favors tax reform that makes the tax system simpler, fairer, more progressive, and more pro-growth.

Implement regulatory reforms that are pro-market and pro-consumer. Too often, the Bush Administration has used regulatory reform to bail out corporations rather than promote true competition. As a result, regulations are standing in the way of efficiency improvements in many industries that would benefit consumers and businesses. Wes Clark would implement regulatory reforms that use market-based incentives while protecting the environment and consumers against abuses.

Increase exports by consolidating and improving trade promotion. According to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, ten federal agencies help U.S. firms export their products abroad. As President, Wes Clark would consolidate the trade promotion activities of the U.S. government into fewer agencies, which will save money and simplify government, helping manufacturing firms get what they need from their government and enabling more effective promotion of U.S. manufacturing exports.

Invest in education and training. Wes Clark will soon release a detailed plan to improve education from cradle to grave. It will address improving the quality high schools and expanded access to college. It will also focus on improving job training programs and expanding continuing education for workers.

Invest in innovations to keep U.S. manufacturing competitive. New technologies represent the future of American manufacturing. Wes Clark believes that America needs a new and more ambitious technology policy to encourage research and development to produce the next generation of breakthrough innovations.

Expand the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP). Wes Clark will reverse the Bush Administration's budget cuts for the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP). This program is proven to help small and medium-sized manufacturers get the help they need in business planning and low-cost loans to be successful.