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Despite Opposition, Obama Verges on Trade Deal Disaster
President Obama is preparing to mangle his jobs message signing free-trade agreements that are opposed by unions, by Democrats and by the “99 Percenters” who recognize that the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Obama approach to trade policy has harmed the interests of working people in the United States and abroad.
The Obama administration said the Congress-approved free trade deals are expected to boost US exports by $13 billion and benefit US agriculture and manufacturing, and will bolster diplomatic ties to all three countries. The three agreements, all modeled on the failed North American Free Trade Agreement, passed the House and Senate Wednesday with overwhelming support from Republicans and minimal support from Democrats. (AFP) Why? Because, according to Congressman Mike Michaud, D-Maine, the president “is going to give in to the Washington elites, once again” because “the big companies and the big banks want” the new trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
The three agreements, all modeled on the failed North American Free Trade Agreement, passed the House and Senate Wednesday with overwhelming support from Republicans and minimal support from Democrats.
Only thirty-one House Democrats backed the agreement with Colombia, where unions note that labor organizers are regularly assassinated. Fifty-nine Democrats backed the agreement with South Korea. Sixty-six Democrats supported the Panama deal.
In the Senate, 30 Democrats opposed the Colombia deal, as did Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, and two Maine Republicans: Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.
The Democrats who opposed the agreements did so because these deals are wrong, economically and politically.
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, who is running for an open US Senate seat in 2012, made the economic case.
“Trade agreements should be in the best interests of our nation and its people, but sadly this has not been the case with the past free trade agreements,” Baldwin told the House. “Have some of our wealthiest corporations profited from them? Indeed. But the rest of America, especially the middle class, has struggled with job loss, closed factories, and economic and emotional anguish across the country.”
Citing a study issued by the Economic Policy Institute, which reveals that more than 680,000 US jobs have been lost or displaced due to the rise in the trade deficit with Mexico alone since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was enacted in 1994. Baldwin explained: “I hear from Wisconsin families every day that are struggling mightily—struggling to pay the mortgage, put food on the table, and send their kids to college, especially during these uncertain economic times. The solution is to put our people back to work and preserve American jobs. When done right, trade agreements can help bolster our manufacturing and high-skilled technology industries and create jobs as they increase exports and help our economy recover. Done wrong, trade agreements send these same jobs offshore, leaving Americans out of work. Unfortunately, I believe these trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia will exacerbate the US trade deficit and further erode our manufacturing base.”
Lori Wallach, who directs Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch, made the political case.
“It is bizarre that President Barack Obama has switched from his long-awaited focus on jobs to spending effort passing three George W. Bush–signed, NAFTA-style trade deals that official government studies show will increase our trade deficit even as polls show most Americans oppose NAFTA-style trade pacts and recognize that they kill American jobs,” said Wallach. “The only way these deals will pass is if congressional GOP lawmakers expose themselves to the foreseeable election attack ads and provide President Obama almost all of the votes; most congressional Democrats will oppose these deals, which are loved by the US Chamber of Commerce and despised by the Democratic base groups. Apparently, the Obama team has a way to win re-election that does not involve Ohio or other industrial swing states. We saw with NAFTA in 1993 the dire political consequences of a Democratic president blurring distinctions between the parties on this third-rail issue of trade and jobs. And unlike NAFTA, this time, even official government studies show that these pacts will increase our trade deficit.”
Baldwin’s right.
Wallach’s right.
Obama’s wrong—very, very, very wrong.
Signing these free-trade deals will harm the economy.
And it will make it a lot harder for voters in factory towns to support his re-election.
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74 Comments so far
Show AllLet's be honest most of the jobs created under Clinton were dead end low paying nothing jobs.
Yes they were, I would know. I was radicalized by working about twelve of them over a seven year period. They all sucked.
Job creation during the Clinton era, no matter how bad anybody thinks it was, was exponentially better than job creation during the Dubya and Obama eras.
That said, the only contribution Clinton actually made to enhancing jobs was increased income taxes on the wealthy. NAFTA, telecom act, repeal of Glass Steagall, repeal of commodities trading regulations and other Clinton legislation cost Americans jobs. The Clinton era job market was relatively good only because of the rapid rise of the internet that culminated in a jobs bonanza to deal with Y2K.
"Job creation during the Clinton era, no matter how bad anybody thinks it was, was exponentially better than job creation during the Dubya and Obama eras."
Well, yeah, but $10 is exponentially more than $.01 -- but neither pays the rent. And besides, Clinton rode an awfully nice bubble.
To quote the prophet "yalll hear that sucking sound now!!" It just got 4 times as loud! in the next few years you'll be lucky to get a min wage job! many of the few jobs left will be under the table, mowing-lawns, painting houses, washing cars! Mark my words the obamination has just signed the death warrent for americas working class!
>^^<
Wallach sez: "“It is bizarre that President Barack Obama has switched from his long-awaited focus on jobs to spending effort passing three George W. Bush–signed, NAFTA-style trade deals ..."
***
What's "bizarre" is that anyone believed Obama ever had a "focus on jobs". His support of these bills is absolutely consistent with every action he's taken since winning the nomination in 2008.
. . . and most of the actions he took while Senator.
And Nichols and his crew members at the Nation cheer-led for Obama in 08 and covered for him until now Obama. When will they ever call this ba$tard out? Never.
Obama is spinning these trade agreements as part of his jobs program, just as he is spinning his ever expanding "payroll tax holiday" (that defunds Social Security by $113 billion in 2011 and more in subsequent years) as part of his jobs program.
Obama is 110% slick talking sociopath.
Obama has adopted Karl Rove's and the GOP's revisionist history strategies.
No surprise. I've been reading articles about these deals on this site for well over a year. Did somebody expect Obama would change his mind because the working people don't want it -- on either side? I heard on Last Word -- the only time I've watched the show -- that some poll came out that showed Obama has solid support from Dems a/k/a his base. So that begs the question of how many Dems are there and how many people have joined me and changed their affiliation to Independent or Green, or -- crazy as it may sound -- Republican -- because of the Obama.
The Obama is just appalling on so many levels. Let's see -- he's talking about jobs, finally (but IMHO strictly for campaign sound bytes), fighting for a fairly measly jobs bill that didn't have much of a chance of passing, anyway, then he pushes through the three trade deals, and -- not to be missed -- is viciously cracking down on medical marijuana concerns, and doubling down on the war on drugs. I read a comment the other day where someone suggested Obama should watch both "Boardwalk Empire" and the new PBS series "Prohibition." But, I guess, in true Obama fashion "that's the past and we must look ahead." NAFTA is good history, but that's also in the past.
That about sums it up nicely.
I'm just glad I'm not leaving any kids into this hell on earth the next few decades will be. Oh Well the anti christ has spoken! >^^<
Don't blame President Obama. He just does what he's told.
He's in so far over his head and so frightened you get the feeling he's hoping he doesn't have to be president for another term.
All he has to do is withdraw. LBJ did. Of course, LBJ was no puppet. He was one of the puppet masters ...
Why would Obama want to stay in this $400,000 per year dead end job when he can get a four year head start on a corporate gig that pays at least ten times that amount ?
If obummer decided Not to run for reelection he'd of course Wait to announce it until it was too late for someone to run in his place.
Why not blame Obama? Does he not know right from wrong? Does he not know his economics 101? Too busy hobnobbing with royalty? Aww...is it because he's a sensitive man and his feelings will be hurt? Screw him!
Then he shouldn't have taken the job if he's so scared. I don't think he's scared. His past tells me he's not scared, the people he's surrounded himself with years before his run for POTUS tells me this is who he is. The titans of Wall Street are, in his view, "savvy businessmen." Did someone force him to say that? He loves these guys, he loves being one of them. The only arms he's ever twisted were in the Progressive Caucus. I don't know how anyone falls for his crap. The unscripted Obama comes across as elitist and frankly, insufferable, and he may not bungle words like Junior, but he sure sounds like a bumbling idiot when he attempts to answer a question he wasn't expecting, because, wow, it seems like Obama truly believes that most Americans are like the Fox crowd.
Obama is one of those people who would talk forever and a day at a press event about "freedom, liberty, free-choice and free speech," but if you throw him a curve ball with a tricky questions, there is no limit to how fast and how hard he will bring the hammer down on your head. Typical "teacher" type mentality. When we grew up and went to school....there were certain "teachers"....
Obama isn't scared, he is simply incompetant.
Also, this man is a MURDERER. Most murderers are bullies. And all bullies are cowards. Obama is a (say it with me now...) MURDEROUS COWARD. Don't you feel better now?
Obama is neither scared nor incompetent.
Obama knows where the money is, knows how to get it, and doesn't care who or what he destroys in the process.
Yup.
.
O is one of Wall Street's greatest assets.
Public Enemy #1 probably hopes his manufactured Iranian Plot will obscure his support for the destruction of his own jobs bill. You can be certain the OWS protestors spread across the nation will not give Obama a pass on his latest sellout to the Money Power. I must say I despise him and ObamaInc more than BushCo's actors. Obama must be crushed politically and ground into dust along with his party.
Obama has successfully placed himself in the same despised position LBJ occupied in early 1968, that of public enemy number 1 to the Left. LBJ was forced out by McCarthy and Kennedy. The Left has no choice but to seek to do the same to Obama ...
I'm still wondering who was in that body bag they threw into the Med in the dark of night calling it Bin Lauden. There are no pictures, none other than hearsay evidece he was ever alive, not to mention dead? Just another False Flag game, pulled on the stupid american sheeple!
>^^<
Unfortunately, this is another example of how far this country has deteriorated as a "Republic". If President Obama backs a policy, we can be assured that the "1%" will be the beneficiaries.
Lets call him President 1%
And then Nichols and 'The Nation' et al will tell you to vote for Obama next year as the "lesser of two evils."
Both Democrats and Republicans refuse to get the meaning of Occupy Wall Street. Which is why Democrats and Republicans in Congress joined together to pass, and Obama will sign, the Korea Free Trade bill which they know will cost 2500 US jobs. That same bill also bans the regulation of trading in derivatives which Wall Street had been demanding. The public knows full well that the lack of such regulation helped to bring on the financial collapse that brought about the tax payer bailout of Wall Street banksters.
Once again Congress has sold out America and American families. Not Republicans, not Democrats, but Congress . They have just passed "Free Trade" agreements with Korea, Panama and Columbia that will transfer more jobs and wealth from America to other countries.
Obama sold out Americans long ago, no matter their party.
KORUS is the biggest FTA since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and shares the same model. NAFTA famously promised to raise up a middle class in Mexico and create millions of jobs throughout the continent. It also famously failed to deliver on this promise: In the last 15 years there is abundant evidence that this trade deal has failed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics some 900,000 jobs were lost in the U.S.
The method? First, they move production to countries with lower wages and fewer established labor rights and environmental regulations.
The benefit? They sell these goods back to the wealthier market they left; and second, they are able to sell less expensive products, Tariff free to countries that make the same products, crippling the countries home industry.
The other benefit? Agri-business. They are able to sell Agricultural products produced with cheap, imported labor (much of it illegal) and undercut the producers in those home markets.
The loser? The American family and America in general and as added beneft the other countries involved as well..
An example? Under KORUS' the "Rule of Origin" states that fully two-thirds of a product can be made outside of the country and still have the label "Made in Korea," entering the U.S. without tariffs. This means for example that North Korea will expand the complex of sweatshops (just 10 miles from the border) where 44,000 North Korean workers labor in factories for as little as 25 cents an hour to produce goods for South Korea. Half their wages are paid directly to the North Korean government.
You can expect this to be duplicated in Columbia and Panama and the results are obvious
We know all this, but we sit around (no pun intended) waiting for some big event or magic wand to rectify the problems while these folks keep pushing it up where the Monkey keeps the nuts. Waiting for a revolution that is never coming. Hoping that someone will magically make a new economic system appear. or a new political reality that will grant wishes instead of requiring work to make a change.
Better look back in history and see how real change for the better was effected, every single time.
In addition to NAFTA and CAFTA, we now have SKAFTA, PAFTA and COLAFTA -- many thanks to Obama the Bush Clone and the Moneycrats in the House and Senate.
Sarah B. sez: "In addition to NAFTA and CAFTA, we now have SKAFTA, PAFTA and COLAFTA ..."
***
... collectively known as The Shafta.
Plus, don't forget The Grafta!
I have not seen in recent history a politician so aimless and mis-directed. At every turn Obama makes a move that he has to know will enrage his progressive base. This is why I don't trust him. Either he's too stupid to know what he's doing and not deserving of the trust of a snail, or he's so deeply complicit and his soul is so subverted that he does not know right from wrong and is as evil as Bush/Cheney. Every time he makes a decision the first thing out of my mouth is WTF!!!! What is this man thinking?
Do not vote for Obama again, under any circumstances. Lesser of 2 evils is bullshit, vote your conscience, vote for the good of the country, the good of those of us who care, the good of the world. If we get Rick Perry as pres, so be it, the revolution will happen sooner.
How pathetic that the kindest thing you can say about Mr. Obama is that he may not know what he is doing. Pathetic.
No image a war with Iran can't fix
You're right about that.
Unfortunately.
They've blown this opportunity, their bogus plot is already being shot full of holes. Another Gulf of Tonkin moment has been thwarted.
I hope you're right, but everyone was saying the same thing as a result of each embarrassing revelation in 2002 and early 2003. We wasted Iraq anyway.
Congressman Mike Michaud, D-Maine, the president “is going to give in to the Washington elites, once again"
Obama is NOT 'giving in' - but is instead doing Exactly What He Wants.
Why does CD find it necessary to print every Nichols article he writes and then won't let a David Degraw article on their pages?
For ex here's a Great article on OWS --- http://ampedstatus.org/ows-protesters-visit-upper-east-side-homes-of-jamie-dimon-david-koch-john-paulson-rupert-murdoch-and-other-1ers/
Nichols still acts surprised when Obama governs as a rightie Every Single Time.
I'm sure Nichols will be surprised by Obama announcing that he's given the go-ahead to the XL Pipeline - even though it's 99.9% certain the oilybomber will approve the pipeline.
Any bets on how long it'll take the country to explode once Romney is "elected"?
Does anyone else think Obama's jobs bill was just cover for these horrible new trade agreements with S. Korea, Panama and Columbia. The S Korean agreement allows the factories , housing and infrastructure to be built in N. Korea just on the other side of the demilitarized zone. The employees will be N. Korean and will be under the oppressive boot of their dictatorial government. Average wage is expected to be $0.35/hour. Just a guess but I'll bet they won't complain much. And the US Congress is sanctioning that! The Panama agreement will provide yet another huge offshore tax haven for the corporatists to hide their ill-gotten gains away from the prying eyes of the IRS so they don't have to pay their share and the Columbian agreement? Well suffice to say their biggest export is cocaine and they are fond of murdering union organizers. I think it's going to take more than a few protesters in the streets. Bye, Bye Miss American Pie, Drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry.
oourprez the house slave gets to sleep in massa's bedroom and sit behind massa's desk, ordering the lynching and beatings of other slaves instead of getting lynched or beaten himself....
I love how these articles state that "only" X number of dozens of Democrats supported these deals. 1) Well they were going to pass anyway, so a lot of Dems can grandstand and cast meaningless no votes. If Obama needed a vote here and there just about any Dem could be leaned upon to vote with the White House. 2) The whole darn party supported Clinton and Obama and the DLC and will every election cycle, trade deals be damned.
"Dems can grandstand and cast meaningless no votes"
Interesting. So the purpose of voting "yes" is so that Obama does not look like a party outcast?
Whatever the motive, I thought I would list the names of 74 congressional Democrats that voted in favor of at least one of this trade deals (C=Colombia, K=South Korea, P=Panama). I got the data from
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll781.xml
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll782.xml
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll783.xml
and the collated it:
CKP: Ackerman
_KP: Becerra
CKP: Berman
__P: Bishop (GA)
_KP: Blumenauer
CKP: Boren
C_P: Cardoza
_KP: Carney
CKP: Castor (FL)
_K_: Chandler
_KP: Clyburn
CKP: Connolly (VA)
CKP: Cooper
CKP: Costa
CKP: Crowley
CKP: Cuellar
CKP: Davis (CA)
_K_: Davis (IL)
_KP: DeGette
CKP: Dicks
__P: Doggett
C_P: Engel
_KP: Eshoo
C_P: Farr
__P: Fattah
CKP: Gonzalez
_K_: Hanabusa
CKP: Himes
C_P: Hinojosa
CKP: Hoyer
CKP: Inslee
_KP: Johnson, E. B.
CKP: Kind
CKP: Larsen (WA)
_KP: Larson (CT)
_KP: Levin
_KP: Lowey
_KP: Maloney
CKP: Matheson
_KP: Matsui
_K_: McCarthy (NY)
_KP: McDermott
CKP: Meeks
CKP: Moran
_KP: Neal
__P: Olver
_KP: Owens
__P: Pascrell
_KP: Pelosi
_KP: Peterson
CKP: Polis
CKP: Price (NC)
_KP: Quigley
_KP: Rangel
_KP: Richmond
CKP: Ross (AR)
_K_: Rothman (NJ)
_K_: Sanchez, Loretta
_KP: Schiff
_KP: Schrader
_KP: Schwartz
_K_: Scott (VA)
__P: Scott, David
_KP: Sewell
C_P: Sires
CKP: Smith (WA)
_KP: Thompson (CA)
__P: Tsongas
CKP: Van Hollen
_K_: Walz (MN)
CKP: Wasserman Schultz
__P: Watt
__P: Waxman
__P: Welch
Yeah, Larsen (D) of WA is a little fascist we can't seem to get rid of. It was a close race last election, but the jerk got in yet again.
Rangel was down at OWS one day this week along with Sharpton. They were sitting together in a little cluster of their supporters and nobody was paying attention to them, as their charlatanry was showing.
This Obama bastard just keeps pushing and pushing and pushing the republican agenda, yet, they still hate him. Good Lord!!