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.
Personal attacks against members is prohibited by FR. It's also classless and unChristian like. I'll pray for you too. Good night.
Look kid, you've swallowed garbage and just regurgitating it.You obviously do NOT understand economics, nor NAFTA or CAFTA and don't use lefty garbage or nutty Pat's articles as refutation.
I do NOT believe that you know who any of those people are. If you did and saw their names, yet still used that site for proof, then you aren't just ignorant, you're a bloody fool!
Statements of FACT, are NOT "personal attacks". Please learn the difference. :-)
You forgot to add "being from Chicago . . . ," Ms. Post.
Did you miss the following? "Yes, I did get a Pell grant. They're wonderful things." It must rile you to no end that he got them and I didn't.
You'd think that true conservatives could keep their think-tanks straight.
The man this forum worships on kneepads believes in open borders. Since he is the head of the Republican party, and I assume you consider yourself a Republican, that makes you in favor of a no border policy. BTW, in '08 the borders will be erased by general agreement. There was a summit at the Taxes ranch, and people will be able to cross with the proper sticker.
It doesn't rile me at all. You are the one who said you might have gotten a pell grant, I think right after you told somebody they shouldn't depend on the government for their livelihood. It was deliciously ironic.
Beware the Red Queen.
For she and/or her minions
Will ride down on you.
There is no such word as "anyways" and your Pell Grant was a waste of taxpayer's ( my ) money!
Yes, there is, actually; ho look for it.
There isn't. You're lying about it. You are one of those Republicans who doesn't take a position on an issue until you see what Bush's position is first. I like Bush on a lot of issues but everyone knows illegal immigration is one of his worst. It's also one of the most important issues out there.
I'm not a liar and unlike you, I don't make up fairy tales about other posters, whom I not only don't know, but whom I should be careful not to take a poke at.
Now run along...
Six months ago, I purchased a new "over the range" microwave oven. Wanting to have a trouble free appliance I purchased a Maytag. Looked great - worked very well - now the motor burned out and has to be replaced. (I had a separate circuit installed just for this appliance) When asked how this could happen the repairman told me that since most appliances or parts thereof are manufactured overseas, this is what is happening. In my case the appliance was manufactured in Korea.
Seem's like a lot of things I buy these days are made elsewhere and since it costs quite a bit to repair when they break down, it is actually cheaper to buy another item new.
I remember many years ago, after WWII to be exact, when almost everything was made in America and built to last. People took pride in their work and put out quality items. I remember joking about the "Made in Japan" labels when their merchandise started coming onto the market.
Guess we should look into expanding our landfills!
Jim Robinson believes in open borders?
I always like to read up a little before I try to tell others what's going on where I am, same with where you are. There's lots to read about CAFTA and NC. Here's one source and an excerpt:
Why CAFTA matters to the High-tech industry in North Carolina
North Carolina ’s exports to the Dominican Republic and Central America countries exceeded $1.7 billion in 2004. Since 1999, North Carolina exports to DR-CAFTA countries have increased by more than $1 billion, making DR-CAFTA North Carolina ’s largest growth market, greater than China and Japan combined.
More than 60% of the U.S. high-tech industry’s revenue currently comes from sales outside the United States . Free and open trade is crucial to our success. Sales in foreign markets such as those in DR-CAFTA will increasingly be the engine of growth for the technology industry, and the free flow of goods between countries will help to create jobs in most sectors. By improving access to growing markets for our products, U.S. companies and their workers will be more competitive. In fact, the high-tech sector is important to North Carolina ’s economic success. ..
Here's another source and an excerpt:
North Carolina’s exports to the DR-CAFTA countries equaled $1.7 billion in 2003, making it North Carolina’s 2nd largest export market. North Carolina’s exports to the DR-CAFTA countries have increased by more than $1 billion since 1999, making DR-CAFTA North Carolina’s largest growth market, greater than China and Japan combined.
More sources:
Economic Impact of DR-CAFTA on North Carolina 3/17/2005 - See the attached report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce analyzing the expected economic impact of the DR-CAFTA on the state of North Carolina.
Economic Impact of DR-CAFTA on North Carolina 2/10/2005 - See the attached report of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on the predicted economic impact of the DR-CAFTA on the state of North Carolina.
DR-CAFTA: NC State Study - Chamber of Commerce Economic Impact of DR-CAFTA on North Carolina. See the attached report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce analyzing the expected economic impact of the DR-CAFTA on the state of North Carolina.
Enjoy.
Check out J.R.'s posting history.
I wonder who first came up with the notion of planned obsolescence? I really don't know, but I suspect it was here that it happened?
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