[Mase]

Maybe you missed the part of my post that quoted Hunter:

In a speech before Congress on March 12, 1996, Hunter claimed that between one and five million jobs had been lost to corporate downsizing over the past three years. "We seem to be giving our own country away" through NAFTA, GATT, the World Bank, and foreign adventurism, he said: "billions and billions to other countries while our own people head for the unemployment office or have to settle for jobs in fast-food restaurants."

Do you believe that American corporations are giving our country away through free trade agreements? Do you believe that free trade agreements cause corporate downsizing? Do you believe that our 4.6% unemployment rate is a sign that millions of Americans are on their way to the unemployment office? Do you believe our rising incomes and net worth are a sure sign that Americans today have to settle for jobs at fast food restaurants?

If so, you might be a populist who can appeal to the economically challenged. Hunter thinks protectionism can work. It doesn't.

But don't take my word for it. Look at what a conservative commentator had to say about Hunter. Like myself, he approves of everything he sees in Hunter but has concerns over his protectionist leanings.

His Trade Position May Be a "Bug" To Republicans, But It Can Be A "Feature" To Democrats.

There is one area in particular where Duncan Hunter departs from the conservative orthodoxy and that's on trade issues. He's neither a fan of free trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA, nor does he think we're getting a square deal on trade from China.

Although many Republicans will disagree with Hunter on this issue, many Democrats find themselves nodding their heads in agreement with what he has to say.

Conservative Case for Duncan Hunter In 2008

[jmc813]

There is one area in particular where Duncan Hunter departs from the conservative orthodoxy and that's on trade issues. He's neither a fan of free trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA, nor does he think we're getting a square deal on trade from China. Although many Republicans will disagree with Hunter on this issue, many Democrats find themselves nodding their heads in agreement with what he has to say.

Substitute abortion and the 2nd Amendment, two issues that dwarf trade issues, and you're describing Rudy to a T. You'll never have a candidate you agree with 100%.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"Do you believe that American corporations are giving our country away through free trade agreements?"

A few years ago we had an unemployment problem. You seem to want to go back to those years. I do not.

Yes, corporations are giving out country away through "free" trade agreements that do not benefit our country as much as the other country involved. If these agreements were truly free, they would start with a level playing field. That is certainly not the case with China or Mexico.

The fact that we have rebounded does not stop the problem. It did occur because of these types of agreements and it will occur again.