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In Bush Win, House Narrowly Approves CAFTA
Associated Press ^
| July 27, 2005
| JIM ABRAMS
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.
TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: cafta; gatt; nafta
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To: 1rudeboy; Toddsterpatriot
At the point, we're just have to agree to disagree. We're from different regions which have different needs and being frank, I care more about my conservative region than your liberal bastion. Have a good one. Here's some reading material you might find useful. Later.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-7_27_05_PB.html
701
posted on
07/29/2005 5:35:00 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: My GOP
We're from different regions which have different needs and being frank, I care more about my conservative region than your liberal bastion. And the ironic thing is that you truly belong here and I truly belong there, if you understood political science. Funny how that works.
To: 1rudeboy
I'm a proud Pat Buchanan conservative.
703
posted on
07/29/2005 5:53:30 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: RWR8189
Once again the 'leadership'harms the American people. I have always liked the quote: "In declining states the leadership intuitively choses the most harmful course of action."- A Great Historian 1888( Also Edward Gibbon, though I can't refind the exact citation to The Decline and Fall)
704
posted on
07/29/2005 5:58:02 PM PDT
by
AEMILIUS PAULUS
(It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
To: My GOP
I'm a proud Pat Buchanan conservative.That explains your economic ignorance.
705
posted on
07/29/2005 6:03:54 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
To: patriciaruth; Toddsterpatriot
"When "big lenders" have to mark up their goods and credit card and other interest rates to offset losses from bankruptcy filers, that means AMERICANS like you and me pay more for goods and services."
Actually, the gap of what the banks pay for their money, versus what they charge for interest on credit cards has never been higher. (I'm not positively, absolutely 100% certain, so I'm pinging a financial guy)
But the reality is the lending institutions lowered their standards then went crying to Washington to ensure their profits. So what we saw is the perfect illustration of what was described as "Washington Ability" in Atlas Shrugged.
(But be weary weary quite here, I'm baiting a trwap)
706
posted on
07/29/2005 6:05:05 PM PDT
by
investigateworld
( God bless Poland for giving the world JP II & a Protestant bump for his Sainthood!)
To: Toddsterpatriot
You're always wanting sources. Read his article I linked up. Its a good source for how CAFTA will harm us. This time, its for real. Later, no more arguing. I tried to say "lets agree to disagree" earlier but unfortunately you have no class and want to call me names.
707
posted on
07/29/2005 6:09:43 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: My GOP
To: investigateworld; patriciaruth
Actually, the gap of what the banks pay for their money, versus what they charge for interest on credit cards has never been higher. (I'm not positively, absolutely 100% certain, so I'm pinging a financial guy) Not sure, the gap may be a record. You realize that a higher default rate would tend to lead to a higher rate charged on credit cards?
But the reality is the lending institutions lowered their standards then went crying to Washington to ensure their profits.
Yeah, asking the government to help enforce a contract is a bad thing. If credit card companies tightened their standards Jesse Jackson would be on TV talking about how the credit card companies were disenfranchising the African-American community.
709
posted on
07/29/2005 6:13:28 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
To: My GOP
You made a claim "The majority of NC's economy relies on manufactoring". Please provide a source that backs you up.
and want to call me names.
Back up your claim and I'll apologize.
710
posted on
07/29/2005 6:15:40 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
To: My GOP; 1rudeboy
The majority of NC's economy relies on manufactoring
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Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Series Id: ENU37000105101
State: North Carolina
Area: North Carolina -- Statewide
Industry: Goods-Producing
Owner: Private
Size: All establishment sizes
Type: All Employees
|
Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual |
2001 |
994583 |
991060 |
988719 |
987016 |
981514 |
984574 |
970675 |
966135 |
958201 |
945130 |
931329 |
922669 |
968467 |
2002 |
902291 |
903093 |
903254 |
903893 |
906393 |
906965 |
903447 |
904039 |
898573 |
892322 |
883909 |
877117 |
898775 |
2003 |
856219 |
851210 |
853182 |
852521 |
854101 |
855836 |
847046 |
846079 |
843533 |
840801 |
835457 |
831792 |
847315 |
2004 |
813430(P) |
812864(P) |
820599(P) |
829819(P) |
836624(P) |
844865(P) |
845876(P) |
843922(P) |
843221(P) |
840592(P) |
837047(P) |
835368(P) |
833686(P) |
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Postal Square Building 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 |
Phone: (202) 691-5200 Fax-on-demand: (202) 691-6325 Data questions: blsdata_staff@bls.gov Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov
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833,686 manufacturing jobs.
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Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Series Id: ENU3700010510
State: North Carolina
Area: North Carolina -- Statewide
Industry: Total, all industries
Owner: Private
Size: All establishment sizes
Type: All Employees
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Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Annual |
2001 |
3193130 |
3193732 |
3209643 |
3216167 |
3224256 |
3245627 |
3208035 |
3208551 |
3182764 |
3158020 |
3143032 |
3134911 |
3193156 |
2002 |
3073223 |
3084770 |
3108719 |
3128342 |
3151525 |
3170095 |
3155778 |
3168056 |
3150337 |
3136589 |
3133236 |
3130925 |
3132633 |
2003 |
3042522 |
3040154 |
3060829 |
3080516 |
3104776 |
3123448 |
3106258 |
3120053 |
3109047 |
3108018 |
3110334 |
3114514 |
3093372 |
2004 |
3038336(P) |
3043622(P) |
3077898(P) |
3115193(P) |
3147181(P) |
3174596(P) |
3178831(P) |
3187106(P) |
3174281(P) |
3174663(P) |
3179509(P) |
3187451(P) |
3139889(P) |
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Postal Square Building 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 |
Phone: (202) 691-5200 Fax-on-demand: (202) 691-6325 Data questions: blsdata_staff@bls.gov Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov
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3,139,889 total private sector jobs. Looks like manufacturing is only 26.6% of total private sector jobs. Not looking good for your claim. But I'm open to your sources.
711
posted on
07/29/2005 6:22:38 PM PDT
by
Toddsterpatriot
(If you agree with Marx, the AFL-CIO and E.P.I. please stop calling yourself a conservative!!)
To: My GOP
I guess all those candy manufacturers who moved to Mexico for cheaper sugar are in for it:
Police officers guard the main door of the agriculture ministry as sugarcane growers protest in Mexico City, Wendesday July 27, 2005. Growers from most of Mexico's 15 sugar-producing states, backed by two powerful labor unions, demanded that Fox sign a bil that guarantees continued upfront payments for cane from sugar-mill owners. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
A Mexican farmer throws sugarcane towards the entrance of the agriculture ministry after a march through Mexico City's main streets Wendesday July 27, 2005. Growers from most of Mexico's 15 sugar-producing states, backed by two powerful labor unions, demanded that Fox sign a bil that guarantees continued upfront payments for cane from sugar-mill owners. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Two Mexican sugar cane growers hold up their machetes during a march through Mexico City July 27, 2005. The march is the first of a series of actions planned to pressure President Vicente Fox not to veto a law designed to protect prices. REUTERS/Henry Romero
A Mexican sugar cane grower brandishes his machete during a march through Mexico City July 27, 2005. The march is the first of a series of actions planned to pressure President Vicente Fox not to veto a law designed to protect prices. REUTERS/Henry Romero Reuters - Jul 27 11:49 AM
Thousands of sugar cane growers marched through Mexico City July 27, 2005. The march is the first of a series of actions planned to pressure President Vicente Fox not to veto a law designed to protect prices. REUTERS/Henry Romero
To: Toddsterpatriot
You said, in response to me saying I was a Pat Buchanan conservative, "That explains your economic ignorance". Thus you basically called me ignorant. I don't have any sources on NC at the moment just say I live here and I know what's going on. I don't have to have a source to know what's going on. I memorized all the presidents when I was 8. When I proudly showed off my skill at school, my friends and teachers didn't ask for a source. I can debate with accurate facts from the knowledge in my head. My memory component of my IQ is 131. I remember alot.
713
posted on
07/29/2005 6:27:16 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: hedgetrimmer
I've never seen so many Buchanan conservatives.
To: My GOP
I can debate with accurate facts from the knowledge in my head. Not on this website.
To: 1rudeboy
Not on this website
Oh, I forgot. You own this website. Thanks for reminding us all. Did you buy it with the money you saved from your Pell grant?
To: 1rudeboy
Actually, I just debate with accurate facts from the top of my head......like they do in presidential debates. Anyways, I just can't understand why you can't muster enough class to say "we'll have to agree to disagree. Have a good one and later" like I did.
717
posted on
07/29/2005 6:36:32 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: hedgetrimmer
Not on this website
Oh, I forgot. You own this website. Thanks for reminding us all. Did you buy it with the money you saved from your Pell grant?
I never said I owned the website. I don't understand why you would say that anyways. It doesn't make any sense. You certainly don't own it. Yes, I did get a Pell grant. They're wonderful things.
718
posted on
07/29/2005 6:39:17 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: My GOP
Sorry, hedge, thought that comment was from 1rudeboy. Misread there. Yes, I agree, he is one rude person.
719
posted on
07/29/2005 6:40:41 PM PDT
by
My GOP
To: My GOP
I was responding to 1rudeboy.
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