Free Republic

WASHINGTON — Facing a tough election, the congressman's advertisements attack his rival's support of free trade. The camera turns to a Chinese street scene and a voice intones, "As they say in China, xie xie ('Thank you')." Not to be outdone, commercials for challenger Bob Gibbs flash a Chinese flag, accusing Democratic incumbent Zach Space of allowing US stimulus money to support green technology in the emerging Asian economy. The contest in economically struggling Ohio is one of many in the November 2 congressional elections in which China has become the premier bugbear, accused of killing US jobs. A key...

The USDA Rural Development Puerto Rico announced Thursday the availability of $31 million in federal funds to aid the economic development of rural communities. This is the first time the Bush administration has assigned funding through the USDA for these types of projects, agency officials said. Of the amounts, $19 million has been set aside for grants to develope essential community facilities in eligible areas "with extreme high unemployment and severe economic depression," said Jose Otero Garcia, state director for USDA Rural Development Puerto Rico. The facilities could be childcare centers offering services not available through the municipal government, the...