[Sam the Sham]

Bush is having the difficulties he has in Ohio and Michigan because they have borne the brunt of "free trade" policies.

[Coop]

If that's the case, then why did Gore (the boy of the feller who signed NAFTA) win Michigan?

[Thorin]

>>>>>Bush is having the difficulties he has in Ohio and Michigan because they have borne the brunt of "free trade" policies.<<<<<

You are exactly right about Ohio, which is a socially conservative state in which the GOP holds every statewide elected office and controls both houses of the state legislature. Free trade has destroyed the economy in large parts of the state; that's the only reason Kerry even has a chance here.

[quantim]

You're wrong. Michigan has lost more jobs to other states than it has to other countries because of higher taxes and union strangleholds. Additionally, many new jobs here are from foreign companies including HI-tech, automotive industries and their suppliers, it's called job 'in sourcing.' 

The state has a robust economy that is brought down by the huge cities, and the collective pathetic city management (like Detroit) and employee unions. Thank the dems and their 'Great Society' that has really made a perpetual mess of urban areas.

To suggest that job issues here are a direct result of free trade policies is at best myopic. To be sure a few jobs could be affected but it is miniscule by comparison - but open trade brings in more factories (like the Japanese auto companies) than a protectionist mindset would produce.   

And don't forget productivity. It is way up along with technology and simply fewer people are needed in many applications.  I have considered (and still am) moving my own business to a friendlier state and taking the jobs with it, and it doesn't have a darned thing to do with free trade.

[1rudeboy]

Bush is having the difficulties he has in Ohio and Michigan because they have borne the brunt of "free trade" policies.

Yup, Canada being our largest trading partner, NAFTA just killed Michigan. LOL