Colombia in speech

donmia says on Jan 30, 2008, 13:05:

unfortunately, i don't see it happening this year. i'm a big liberal, but the labor unions have got them tied up. and they don't want this. if it weren't a presidential election year, maybe. but this isn't about Bush at all - it's about the unions stopping any free trade agreements.

and, maybe i'm wrong, but i don't see how Uribe has anything to do with it. it's all about the unions. nobody is gonna kick them with a bill this year. and that sucks because it'll hit me right in the wallet.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Strobers says on Jan 30, 2008, 14:10:

I'm against it completely and it has nothing to do with party affiliation. The only people who benefit from these trade bills are the companies who sponsor them. It's a money driven enterprise where profits come before the welfare of people.

All we have to do is look at NAFTA, which has been sucking out the life blood of the middle class in the U.S., to show how flawed these trade agreements are. They are stacked against working people. While the U.S. is losing their middle class, workers in India and Bangledesh, get to make another five cents per hour working in sweat shop conditions.

I hope this bill does not pass.

"Life is too serious to be taken seriously"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Catfish35 says on Jan 30, 2008, 14:41:

Donmia, I wholeheartedly agree with you, your right on target! Big money AFL-CIO has congress pinched for sure. I too await the outcome of the free trade agreement with Colombia. I have many great things pending that would benefit not only me but also stimulate jobs for people in Colombia.
Since my personal plans would be to keep the money made in Colombia in Colombia I do not agree with Strobers totally. NAFTA has not been as catastrophic as describe by my good friend above, I do agree there are some snafu's. Let us remember that NAFTA was on Bill's watch and that the Bill Clinton era was ONE OF the most financially successful times in USA history! Wars have been historically a boom to our economy also, the main reason was that the money was not monopolized and shared among a few chosen few. Very few have made big money from this war and those that have, are in big numbers! Just my opinion! But would love to see a trade agreement come thru!

"So many guns, and so few brains". sam spade

0 funny, 0 helpful.

scotty says on Jan 30, 2008, 16:39:

strobers, who do you think companies are, they are people, working people. Bush is right, why do we have trade agreements with Peru but not Colombia, when Colombia has proven to be our best friend in SA.

Get Rhythm, when you got the blues. Johnny Cash

0 funny, 0 helpful.

droble77 says on Jan 30, 2008, 19:57:

Although, I do NOT agree with the stance of the Democratic Party regarding the FTA, keep in mind this trade bill isn't a panacea for Colombia's problems.

Remember, most of Colombia's exports to the U.S. are NOT charged import duties ALREADY. I have a funny feeling the bill will benefit Colombia's rich and upper-middle classes far more than the vast majority of Colombia's citizens. They'll be able to buy more stuff at the mall, assuming they aren't all maxed out with cuotas. ;0))

That said, it will pass, but not in this critical election year with so much at stake for the Dems. More likely to pass in '09. . .

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Monpirri says on Jan 30, 2008, 20:06:

I'm not quite sure 100% but I think Brazil, Costa Rica and of course Chile are currently are part of the FTA.
The reason I believe Brazil and Costa Rica are also part of the FTA is because every time I go to buy grocies I always see Mangos from Brazil and Yuca from Costa Rica.
I had always seen grapes, wine and now I see avocados (aguacates) and peaches from Chile.

Annette Taddeo for US Congress 2008

0 funny, 0 helpful.

jh816 says on Jan 31, 2008, 06:27:

First of all, the FTA in Colombia will cause imports from the US to INCREASE, creating more american jobs. This may seem counterintuitive, but as droble points out, most Colombian exports are duty-free to the US while US exports pay around 15-20%. Signing the FTA will decrease these duties, hence lowering prices and increasing demand. More American jobs. So really, the unions are shooting themselves in the foot over that one.

Not that I have much love for the unions. What makes them think they don't have to compete on a global level like other workers? Ok, so you went to high school and learned how to metal stamp a car door. What entitles you to $25 per hour for that?

0 funny, 0 helpful.