President Obama DON'T FAIL US Historically...

[Segami]

A little history lesson today.

In the summer of 2007, Democrats were lining up behind their preferred Presidential choice. I was a strong Edwards supporter, (and eventual Obama supporter) and was most wary of Hillary Clinton bringing on more NAFTA type trade agreements. Ironically even before the next President takes office, we are already having the same discussions on the TPP. Back then, I sat down then with Edwards Campaign Manager former House Whip David Bonior of Michigan. He takes us back to 1993 when newly elected and popular President Bill Clinton abandoned Healthcare and began, instead, pushing NAFTA. Watch this interview and read the transcript and then just replace the words "NAFTA" with "Trans Pacific Partnership" or "TPP" and "Clinton" with "Obama" President Obama, we can't afford for you to forget such recent history of a 'good' Democrat pushing terrible trade policies.


Part 1 3:03 in the interview - Majority Whip David Bonior the President and NAFTA

Question - What was the atmosphere like, being a democrat, taking on a Democratic President?


It is very difficult to take on the President of your own party. When he made the decision to do the North American Free Trade Agreement - NAFTA as opposed to healthcare, it was the worst legislation of his (Clinton) presidency, worst piece of legislature in the history of our country. 17 years (of NAFTA) it has been a widening of the income gap, not only in the United States, but in Canada and Mexico, millions and millions of lost jobs, a devastation of the environment with no environmental protections, no labor protections. It has been a race to the bottom, it has been devastating.

Consider that phrase from a member of Clinton's own party:

NAFTA was the worst legislation of his (Clinton) presidency, worst piece of legislature in the history of our country.

I believe the TPP will become the new 'worst piece of legislature in the history of our country' NAFTA did not just hurt the United States, it increased the trading power for Mexican Drug Cartels, crushed Mexican Corn farmers with US corn subsidies, which ACTUALLY INCREASED the need for Mexican and Central Americans to cross the border to find work.

Now imagine that these conditions, known as 'NAFTA on Steroids' are not just over borders, but the Pacific Ocean, where it is impossible to escape to another country. But history is not set yet. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and others are standing up on this Deal.

It is very difficult to take on the president of your own party.

We can't simply be moving forward to the end of Obama's Presidency as if he is a student who made honor roll all year, so we let him slide on the final exam. This is Obama's final exam for history. The TPP , if he pushes it through, against the wishes of many in his own party, it will be a terrible legacy for us in terms of Jobs, wages, and most importantly the Environment.





cont'

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/10/1383823/-President-Obama-don-t-fail-us-Historically

[ibegurpard]

1. He already has

You don't expend the sort of political capital that he has been in favor of this to turn around and change your position.
Your only chance is to lobby your own representatives.

[pampango]

2. Perhaps he is going back to FDR/Truman and the ITO not just

to Clinton and NAFTA.

[libdem4life]

3. One thing I heard...he Chose NAFTA over Healthcare. I did not realize that he had that choice.

It seemed like the Hillary's Healthcare didn't go down because it didn't have the votes, but I wasn't watching that closely back then. I couldn't agree more with this...Hillary has taken the other path...the Terrible Legacy Path, as I see it...what an irony.

I'm even more for Bernie, now.

[True Blue Door]

4. There's a lot wrong even in those few snippets of commentary.

And a lot wrong with your introduction to it:

President Bill Clinton abandoned Healthcare

You mean Congress rejected it in a spectacular fiasco, of which Hillary was a major author.

and began, instead, pushing NAFTA

How "instead"? He went for two things, and one was passed by Congress.

it was the worst legislation of his (Clinton) presidency

I guess Mr. Bonior supported China PNTR?

worst piece of legislation in the history of our country.

That's such a crazy statement, it's very difficult to take Bonior seriously if he believes that. I guess he thinks it was worse than the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Fugitive Slave Laws, territorial annexations, forced Indian relocations, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, the Patriot Act, and the Iraq War resolution.

NAFTA did not just hurt the United States, it increased the trading power for Mexican Drug Cartels, crushed Mexican Corn farmers with US corn subsidies, which ACTUALLY INCREASED the need for Mexican and Central Americans to cross the border to find work.

Wait, which is it? Did it unfairly advantage the United States, or unfairly advantage Mexico? Or were there tradeoffs, like happens in a....trade relationship?

This is Obama's final exam for history.

You mean other than all the others - Obamacare, diplomacy with Iran, opening up Cuba, gays in the military, etc. ad infinitum? Hyperbole makes you sound lacking in persuasive substance. It's not necessary, and not helpful on a topic like this.

if he pushes it through, against the wishes of many in his own party, it will be a terrible legacy for us in terms of Jobs, wages, and most importantly the Environment.

Tax and wage laws have far more control over jobs and wages than trade policy. Elect a Congress that will pass such progressive laws, and trade problems will be an afterthought.