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.
Free trade does NOT equal some imaginary "new world order" bogeyman...
Take off the tin foil.
(I hope all note the fact that you line up perfectly with the Dems on this one).
Listen closely, you can hear the crystal glasses clanging."
Those glasses will be "clanging" at the next CFR, Bilderberger, Trilateral Commission, AND White House meetings.
The next incremental step for the One World Govenment is checked off.
Actually, after reflecting upon it I came to the conclusion that the only way to save the US is to annex the western hemisphere, as territories, granting statehood as the situation allows.
The boom caused by such unrestrained capitalism (no income tax), low labor cost, combined with the untapped/undeveloped natural resources will allow us to dominate the world's economy for another 100 years.
That's a good thing, right?
No, I'd like to round them up, send them home and station thousands of troops along the borders, fill the air with surveillance drones and close the border to illegal immigration. If a few hundred civilians in lawn chairs (aka Minutemen) were so effective, armed troops would only improve the situation.
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 28, 2005
Statement by the President
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
I am proud that the House of Representatives has acted to advance America's economic and national security interests by passing the CAFTA-DR agreement. CAFTA helps ensure that free trade is fair trade. By lowering trade barriers to American goods in Central American markets to a level now enjoyed by their goods in the U.S., this agreement will level the playing field and help American workers, farmers, and small businesses. The agreement is more than a trade bill; it is a commitment of freedom-loving nations to advance peace and prosperity throughout the Western hemisphere. We have a moral obligation and a vital national security interest in helping the democracies of Central America and the Dominican Republic succeed, and CAFTA furthers that goal. I look forward to signing this important legislation into law.
# # #
Mine didn't. They came here via Canada right before the first Russian Revolution, 1904. But, my dad served in WWII, Navy, got naturalized then. They only reason they came here was because of freedom and liberty, and to avoid communism. They were the lucky ones, and I am grateful everyday the opted to come here and weren't sent to gulag's. Give liberty and freedom to any nation, help them create jobs in their country, and the people will strive to make something of themselves.
Anybody wanna make bets on how many Buchannanites blow their top on FR over the next few days?
The boom caused by such unrestrained capitalism (no income tax), low labor cost, combined with the untapped/undeveloped natural resources will allow us to dominate the world's economy for another 100 years."
Ahhh, kinda interesting...
Only that presumes a One World Government syndicate isn't actually calling the shots.
Maybe her only other choice is a Cotton Mill or something like that.
There is no statehood intended for the western hemisphere countries. What will happen is the tyranny of the 33 socialist, communist and totalitarian dictarships in the hemisphere over the one, formerly free, United States.
NAFTA passes Congress, October 1993: Unemployment Rate 6.8%
Today: Unemployment Rate 5.0%
GDP Q3 1993: $7,536.0 trillion
GDP Q1 2005: $11,096.2 trillion
(2000 chained dollars)
The death of our economy has been greatly exaggerated...
This is not free trade. It's an aid package. A costly one. Congratulations republicans, we conservatives weep.
Will the free traitors care IF we do see a jobs report with a net loss of jobs? Nope.
Insomnia? I have the cure.
Exactly. This is NOT free or fair trade. These countries cheat!
Why couldn't central America lower those tariffs without some 800 page document labeled as "free" trade!?
Are you part of a cult? A Moony? ;)
Seriously..........who taught you this stuff?
"The agreement is more than a trade bill; it is a commitment of freedom-loving nations to advance peace and prosperity throughout the Western hemisphere....
We have a moral obligation and a vital national security interest in helping the democracies of Central America and the Dominican Republic succeed, and CAFTA furthers that goal. I look forward to signing this important legislation into law.
Dubya forgets with WHOM his "moral obligation" lies -- THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
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