Posted on 07/27/2005 9:14:44 PM PDT by RWR8189
WASHINGTON - The House narrowly approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement early Thursday, a personal triumph for President Bush, who campaigned aggressively for the accord he said would foster prosperity and democracy in the hemisphere.
The 217-215 vote just after midnight adds six Latin American countries to the growing lists of nations with free trade agreements with the United States and averts what could have been a major political embarrassment for the Bush administration.
It was an uphill effort to win a majority, with Bush traveling to Capitol Hill earlier in the day to appeal to wavering Republicans to support a deal he said was critical to U.S. national security.
Lobbying continued right up to the vote, with Vice President Dick Cheney, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman (news, bio, voting record) and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez tracking undecided lawmakers.
The United States signed the accord, known as CAFTA, a year ago with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and the Senate approved it last month. It now goes to the president for his signature.
To capture a majority, supporters had to overcome what some have called free trade fatigue, a growing sentiment that free trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada have contributed to a loss of well-paying American jobs and the soaring trade deficit.
Democrats, who were overwhelmingly against CAFTA, also argued that its labor rights provisions were weak and would result in exploitation of workers in Central America.
But supporters pointed out that CAFTA would over time eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers that impede U.S. sales to the region, correcting the current situation in which 80 percent of Central American goods enter the United States duty-free but Americans must pay heavy tariffs.
The agreement would also strengthen intellectual property protections and make it easier for Americans to invest in the region.
"This is a test of American leadership in a changing world," said Rep. Kevin Brady (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, a leading proponent of the agreement. "We cannot claim to be fighting for American jobs and yet turn our backs on 44 million new customers in Central America.
You sound sillier, we've decimated manufacturing and have created 21 million Mcjobs and low paying service jobs.
That's right, our wages keep dropping. I mean rising. Guess you guys are wrong. Again. At least you're consistent, consistently wrong!!
"If you believe that the president has THE most power, please explain, in 100 words,exactly what these POWERS are that he can use, to close all four borders."
Not that I want the borders to be CLOSED.....
but They SHOULD surely be SECURED.
I'll spare you 98 words here and just use a measly two.
Executive Order.
That was too easy....
LOL
Have you been this wrong the entire time you've been here?
It takes a year or two for any cycle to complete itself. I just figure in the second year of Hillarys Presidency, the shit will really hit the fan.
I love you pessimistic guys. How do you get the energy to climb out of bed every morning with that black cloud over your head?
Phyllis Schlafly is one of the strongest influences in my conservativism. I read her work when I was a young teenager.
But as with any other human being, I verify before I trust.....
And they probably had a sponsor, too, who was sort of responsible for them and helped them get jobs. Those were the good old days.
You are absolutely right--which is exactly why this unconstitutional bill should have been defeated. We are less free because of it.
Thanks, Republicans!
Well I'm sure you are aware of the high tech jobs being being outsourced to China and India.
CAFTA puts the low tech jobs out of your reach.
That burger flipping job has been taken by the hoards
of illegals that will be freer than ever to cross the border.
If that college your applying to has a Masters In Low Expectations degree go for it, the architect of CAFTA will be the chair of this program.
"This is a test of American leadership in a changing world," said Rep. Kevin Brady (news, bio, voting record), R-Texas, a leading proponent of the agreement. "We cannot claim to be fighting for American jobs and yet turn our backs on 44 million new customers in Central America.
Horsecrap, Brady. As if we make anything that your new "customers" can afford.
Bush has this "wonderful vision" of a united Americas. Goodbye standard of living. Scary. Another reason to vote constitution party.
If you both worked at Wal Mart could you afford to buy a house?
Always distrust anyone who quotes DNC talking points on a conservative forum, Toddster.
(This one's a doozy.....)
Or welfare.
Tell me about it. But they're the good conservatives. LOL!
"So, you'd rather have them immigrate here illegally looking for jobs, instead of working and producing in their home country? Every human on this earth wants to better himself, and most want to do it in their own country. The only reason they try to move here is because we offer freedom and liberty, something their countries currently don't offer, it's God given right to every human. Is that a bad thing? Your family came here from somewhere, but that was Ok then."
So NAFTA kept all the Mexicans in Mexico!
I also know a lot of advanced degreed people who make under 50. It is the interesting part of capitalism. The market decides, at any given moment, how much your skills are worth.
As my parents have always told me, "life is not fair." Sometimes we come out on the short end...but always remember how many times you've been fortunate enough to come out on the long end and it's much easier to accept.
You forgot to factor in inflation.
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Amen. Excellent information.
You're welcome :) And, definitely a good idea about verifying. I've read the original CFR document (59 pages) since I saw P. Schafly's article a couple of weeks ago, and have been trying to research related material. I know our Congressman Kolbe (RINO) is on-board with the plan, and doing everything he can do to block the Border Patrol from doing its job.
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