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"The potential impact of the agreement will likely go far beyond trade"
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Well, I certainly hope so. Do you doubt that more open markets will improve the economies in the region and that will lead to more investment and a higher quality of living for people in our own hemisphere?

History has proven that as markets open the rule of law develops which is fundamental to long term democracy. Do you deny that it is in our best interest to have as many solid democracies as possible in our hemisphere?

You guys carp about trade with China but as soon as we look to our own neighborhood as an alternative you conjure up some crazy fears of supra-natural bodies eager to dominate the free world.

All we're talking about here is the remaining 20% of goods and services that do not currently enter the USA duty-free from six countries.

In Ag products alone this will mean an additional $1.5 billion in sales for American suppliers. How many new jobs will that kind of revenue create?

The benefits are not limited just to agriculture. Information systems, construction equipment, pharmaceuticals, paper products and medical and scientific equipment manufacturers are just some of the many industries that will benefit from this agreement.

You guys howl at the movement of industry and jobs overseas to places like China but can't seem to say anything good about an agreement that will create large numbers of jobs in this country while promoting democracy and self sufficiency in our own back yard.

Do you doubt that more open markets will improve the economies in the region and that will lead to more investment and a higher quality of living for people in our own hemisphere?

Do you think that a business should take the risk for going into a foreign country to trade? After all, they reap the profit shouldn't they pay for the risk? Or do you think that the US taxpayer should be forced to pay what used to be an expense of doing business?

"History has proven that as markets open the rule of law develops"

Really, that's a new one one me, Europe opened lots of market from 1500-1800 and rule of law is not what the period brings to mind. there is nothing to suggest that opening markets has anyting at all to do with rule of law, and one could argue the exact opposite. It is respect for indivual rights that brings democratic reform not cheap crap at a local wally world.