Sound Politics: More on that Colombia Trade Deal

April 08, 2008

More on that Colombia Trade Deal

You know, the one with which national Democrats are currently proving their anti-free trade bona fides.

The LA Times joins the MSM editorial board chorus saying yes to the deal.

Oh, and all those labor unions supposedly opposed to the deal in Columbia, at least according to the AFL-CIO? Not quite the full story.

UPDATE: headline fixed.

Posted by Eric Earling at April 08, 2008 06:31 PM | Email This

Comments

1. it's refreshing that she wrote "The only problem is..." instead of the all-too-common, annoying, cloying, faux-folksy "Problem is..." she gets points for that. the content, i still need to read.

Posted by: Quincy on April 8, 2008 07:31 PM

2. Fijense, tontos -- la nacion se llama Colombia!!

Posted by: Cleve on April 8, 2008 08:15 PM

3. I think if they could, Democrats would, by statute, force us to only buy from unionized democrat party donating American labor, in effect forcing us to subsidize American labor's higher than global market value wages. So in other words, it's not that the rest of the world is undercutting our worker's wages, it's that American workers are ripping us off. Take a pay cut and compete, or go out of business I say. Or the third option: Donate to Democrats and get them to keep international markets closed. To oppose free trade is to oppose freedom itself. Vote Rossi.

Posted by: TLo on April 8, 2008 10:09 PM

4. While we over here in Mid-Columbia region, east of the Cascades, would appreciate more attention paid to our trade needs, I think you mean "Colombia".... ;).

Posted by: Patrick on April 8, 2008 11:00 PM

5. "American labor's higher than global market value wages."

I know I appreciate my $100 sneakers being made by some lucky person working for $5 a day. And to complain about 14 hours a day! And I especially appreciate those countries that jail anyone trying to unionize. Keeps the costs down you know.

Posted by: HappyHeathen on April 8, 2008 11:49 PM

6. I ask two questions with regards to this deal. First is who has the position of power in the deal?

From all reports I read, we already allow Columbian Products into the country without much problems. The issue with this deal is negotiating an update to have Columbia not restrict/tariff imports from us. Therefore, in my mind, we start out with a lessor position. Do you really think exports to Columbia is going to improve our overall trade deficit (i.e., more imports than exports)?

My second question is which principles do one hold most supreme?

It appears to me that the free-trade crowd is putting dollars and sense above human rights and dignity. I am all for fair and equitable trade, but we need as a country to start living by sound human principles, instead of out of fear. I don't care if politically it may open the road for Venezuala, moral principles, to me trump political goals. If we would have stood up to South Africa sooner, maybe we Aparthied would have ended sooner. If we wouldn't have supported Middle Eastern, Central and South America, and African Dictators, maybe we would have a better standing now in those regions. Is the goal short term gain or for the long term interests of the people in the country we are dealing with?

Sometimes one does need to take stands.

Posted by: tc on April 9, 2008 07:47 AM