Senate Panel Narrowly Endorses CAFTA

AP ^ | June 29, 2005 | JIM ABRAMS

[hedgetrimmer]

The Finance Committee approved the agreement by a voice vote

[cripplecreek]

Nobody wanted that to show up on record.

[hedgetrimmer]

This comes as no suprise.

[Shermy]

"Nobody wanted that to show up on record."

Good insight. Think you're right on. Can they pull the same stunt on the Senate floor?

[hedgetrimmer]

One more, just out on the wires.

[hedgetrimmer]

US President George W. Bush(C) delivers a brief statement at the White House with Presidents Abel Pacheco of Costa Rica (2nd-L), Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic(R), Elias Antonio Saca of El Salvador(L), Oscar Berger of Guatemala(2nd-R), Ricardo Maduro of Honduras(3rd-R), and Enrique Bolanos (3rd-L) of Nicaragua 12 May 2005 after concluding discussions on the Central American and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement(CAFTA-DR)(AFP/File)

[hedgetrimmer]

Senior members of former Democrat and Republican government administrations, including former trade representative Carla Hills (R) and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (2nd R) look on as U.S. President George W. Bush (not pictured) speaks about the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) in the Old Executive Building in Washington June 23, 2005. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

Uber-globalist Henry Kissenger must be pleased today.

[Moral Hazard]

I find it amazing that so much of our trade policy seems to be centered on the idea of protecting domestic sugar producers from competition. What a bunch of wusses!

[Happy2BMe]

In less than two weeks China bids for a major U.S. oil corporation, the U.S.S.C. trashes 4th and 5th Amendment Private Property rights and now our faithful representatives top it off by raping us with their endorsements for CAFTA . .

(Is it any wonder our American farmers are leaving the farming and ranching livelihoods by the droves?)

====================================

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (news, bio, voting record), D-N.M., a key undecided vote on the Finance Committee, announced he was supporting the pact after the administration answered some of his concerns about the "serious lack of attention to the enforcement of worker rights."

He said he had pledges of an extra $40 million over four years to promote labor laws. The administration also told him it will spend $30 million over five years to help subsistence farmers in three Central American countries who might be displaced by an increase in U.S. agriculture imports.

[hedgetrimmer]

In other words, globalization must not be stopped! Globalization must occur no matter the cost!

[NormsRevenge]

Welcome to the inauguration of the North American Federation of States.

[TXBSAFH]

BOHICA!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Well, you can see it developing now. Open borders right down to Panama.

[Willie Green]

The administration also told him it will spend $30 million over five years to help subsistence farmers in three Central American countries who might be displaced by an increase in U.S. agriculture imports.
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman (news, bio, voting record) and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns are constantly on Capitol Hill, talking to undecided lawmakers.

Yeah, displaced Central American farmers will be offered relocation assistance to the United States, with a complete package of nanny-state welfare benefits.

Johanns and Derbez Sign Partnership to Promote USDA Rural Development Programs

[Theodore R.]

Voice vote in a committee surely means passage on the Senate floor. I am not sure if conservatives in the House can block Hastert from pushing this through.

[Happy2BMe]

This is a keg of dynomite ready to blow sky high.

* * *

North American Plan Aims to Ease Cross-Border Movement, Enhance Security (People and Goods)* * *

NAFTA cited as immigration factor (They are here because we are there.)

* * *

CAFTA will export U.S. farm jobs

[hedgetrimmer]

Maybe its time for a little freeper activism?

[dljordan]

" Uber-globalist Henry Kissenger must be pleased today."

The guy is a reptilian plant from the planet Mongo. I'm sure of it.

[dljordan]

"Well, you can see it developing now. Open borders right down to Panama."

Nah, that's just tin-foil-hat talk. It's what those crazy Birchers have been talking about for 50 years.

[USAFJeeper]

As far as I know... NAFTA grew jobs and our economy. I will go ahead and look up info if necessary but I remember a lot of the myths being exploded.

I also have a buddy who is in the sugar business here as a grower. We have this discussion a lot. And he agrees he wouldnt support the government supporting other business' like for instance, Amtrak, airline bailouts, etc. But for some reason its ok to prop his industry?

Here is a Heritage Foundation take on it. I am assuming they did their homework.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/TradeandForeignAid/jtf5.cfm