maria cantwell for veep

[WalterMitty]

regardless of the democrat nominee, shed be an excellent choice.

outstanding senator.

there is nothing more to say. one of the best.

How so? What has she done that was so great? I can't think of anything that makes her stand out other than her support for the Iraq War.

she is a free trader.

[Eraserhead]

regardless of the democrat nominee, shed be an excellent choice.

outstanding senator.

there is nothing more to say. one of the best.

How so? What has she done that was so great? I can't think of anything that makes her stand out other than her support for the Iraq War.

she is a free trader.

Oh joy.

[WalterMitty]

regardless of the democrat nominee, shed be an excellent choice.

outstanding senator.

there is nothing more to say. one of the best.

How so? What has she done that was so great? I can't think of anything that makes her stand out other than her support for the Iraq War.

she is a free trader.

Oh joy.

yes.  it is refreshing to know that there are still a few democrats out there that arent complete ignorant of economics.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Quit talking about how you support the working class when you support allowing India and China to steal our jobs.

[WalterMitty]

Quit talking about how you support the working class when you support allowing India and China to steal our jobs.

are you a silly protectionist?

i guess mankato state doesnt have a good economics department.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I'm a Minnesota DFLer. There aren't very many free traders in the DFL, because the DFL supports American workers.

[WalterMitty]

I'm a Minnesota DFLer. There aren't very many free traders in the DFL, because the DFL supports American workers.

good thing norm coleman left that silly party.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Someone who wants a tax on fast food (which btw, I'm very sure Norm Coleman would never support) is calling a party silly?

[WalterMitty]

Someone who wants a tax on fast food (which btw, I'm very sure Norm Coleman would never support) is calling a party silly?

well norm and i do have our disagreements.

[Ebowed]

because the DFL supports American workers.

That's the (horrendously) wrong reason to oppose free trade, right there.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Free trade is good.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

because the DFL supports American workers.

That's the (horrendously) wrong reason to oppose free trade, right there.

Then what is the right reason?

And that reason is also why this happens:

https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/statesub.php?year=2004&fips=27137&f=1&off=0&elect=0

[MarkWarner08]

Free trade is good.

Exactly. Beyond platitudes, here are some reasons why free trade is beneficial or developed, developing, and Third World nations.

I'm a Minnesota DFLer. There aren't very many free traders in the DFL, because the DFL supports American workers.

If the Minnesota DFL supports American workers, it should support free trade. The unobstructed flow of labor and capitol between nations is nearly always mutually beneficial. For example, comparative advantage has taken hold since the U.S eased its protectionist stance in the 1970's. This has led to an exodus of manufacturing jobs from the U.S, but has also helped create millions of service sector jobs.

Since NAFTA was signed, the number of U.S jobs which was 112.2 million in December 1993, has risen to 134.8 million in January 2006. That "sucking sound," which is how Ross Perot described the exodus of jobs to the Canada and Mexico,  could more aptly have described the hum of American productivity as the U.S unemployment rate dropped from 7.1% in the 1982-1993 period to  an average of 5.1% from1994-2005. This has largely happened because corporations, enriched by lower operating costs stemming from cheap foreign labor, reinvest in the U.S.  While many critics fixate on manufacturing towns that now are economically depressed, few focus on sites that have been rejuvenated by foreign investment. Insourcing, which occurs when foreign companies invest in the U.S, has created thousands of high-end U.S jobs and has dented some of the adverse impacts of outsourcing.

Globalization has also vastly enlarged the market for American goods and services. Million of young, affluent Chinese and Indians are now buying products like Nike shoes, Gillette razors and other American brand names, that once exceeded their price range. Trade between two nations also encourages the free flow of human capitol. Many of the foreign students who come to America to earn PhD's in science, engineering, and math, stay and start companies that employ Americans. These immigrants are attracted by the American way of life and feel a deep sense of gratitude to the United States for allowing them to continue their education at some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.

Another qualm I have with protectionists is their outcry over the establishment of "sweatshops," which they consider "human rights violation," actually increase the standard of living in many Third World countries. Why? Because before foreign nations invested in these countries, many villages were devoid of economic opportunity. The new factories provide workers with salaries, albeit low by First World standards, that lift millions of people out of poverty.

If the Minnesota DFL wants to stand up for workers, it should focus on creating universal access to job-retraining programs, improving high school math and science programs, and placing a greater focus on learning foreign languages. If we simply place border between ourselves and the burgeoning Asian economies, we will further exacerbate this issue. Tapping American ingenuity and creating a more skilled workforce will allow us to survive and thrive in our globalized economy.

I'm lucky that Oregon Democrats haven't succumbed to protectionist drivel.

[Ebowed]

because the DFL supports American workers.

That's the (horrendously) wrong reason to oppose free trade, right there.

Then what is the right reason?

Well, if you're going to oppose free trade, at least do so because it's unfair to foreign workers.

The problem with protectionists is that they get caught up with this nationalist garbage about "PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS."  Americans aren't the only people in the world, you know.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

because the DFL supports American workers.

That's the (horrendously) wrong reason to oppose free trade, right there.

Then what is the right reason?

Well, if you're going to oppose free trade, at least do so because it's unfair to foreign workers.

The problem with protectionists is that they get caught up with this nationalist garbage about "PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS."  Americans aren't the only people in the world, you know.

Looking at things from an electability standpoint though, which is the position to sell that'll earn you more votes? Free trade hurts foreign workers or free trade hurts American workers?

[MarkWarner08]

because the DFL supports American workers.

That's the (horrendously) wrong reason to oppose free trade, right there.

Then what is the right reason?

Well, if you're going to oppose free trade, at least do so because it's unfair to foreign workers.

The problem with protectionists is that they get caught up with this nationalist garbage about "PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS."  Americans aren't the only people in the world, you know.

Looking at things from an electability standpoint though, which is the position to sell that'll earn you more votes? Free trade hurts foreign workers or free trade hurts American workers?

Neither, because that's a false choice. Free trade helps foreign workers and helps most American workers.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Neither, because that's a false choice. Free Fair trade helps foreign workers and helps most American workers.

Fixed.

[MarkWarner08]

Neither, because that's a false choice. Free Fair trade helps foreign workers and helps most American workers.

Fixed.

"Fair" trade is a loaded term.  While I consider myself a steadfast free-trader, I do believe there is some validity to Senator Baucus' assertion that Third World nations' weaker environmental and labor standards give them an artificial trade advantage. Thus, it can be argued that including stricter human rights, environmental, and labor requirements in trade pacts is not a form of protectionism. Of course, this is a highly controversial viewpoint that most economists disagree with.

[SPC]

I support free trade, but I oppose any entangling alliances¹ regarding trade, such as NAFTA or CAFTA. I also vehemently oppose any attempt at a NAU, which would be the ultimate steak in the heart of our Constitution.

¹For those of you who have read Washington's farewell address.