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stillwaiting

(3,795 posts)

44. What do you think "free trade" agreements + "lousy, conservative domestic policies" yields?

Fri May 1, 2015, 12:15 PM

May 2015

Because that is the reality we are dealing with.

The U.S. is not Scandinavia, Germany, Australia, or Canada.

We don't have the much stronger progressive social policies and protections that these countries have for their citizens.

So, we have to address that reality when considering whether or not the TPP/TTIP is good for the working, middle, and poverty classes in the good 'ole U.S. of A.

It doesn't make any sense to point to those other countries because we are not going to have their protections and policies in place for us if/when these "free trade" agreements go in to effect. So, we need to focus on what impact these agreements will have on us without having the luxury of living in a strongly progressive nation. We just don't have laws and regulations that protect our workers the way that these other countries do. And, I doubt we will in the near future. So, what does that mean for us?

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May Day, 2015: If you do NOT oppose the TPP, you do NOT stand with workers and unions [View all] cali May 2015 OP

! KG May 2015 #1

A-fucking-men! TM99 May 2015 #2

It's not that simple. The Democratic base does not want to leave NAFTA and the WTO as is. pampango May 2015 #3

It's exactly that simple. It won't fix NAFTA. cali May 2015 #4

Isn't it amazing that some here fight for something supported by corps, CEOs, and Republicans. Dawgs May 2015 #9

If a Republican becomes President and is outwardly vocal for NAFTA/Free Trade, those stillwaiting May 2015 #6

The republican base's opposition to trade agreements is long standing and will not 'flip' pampango May 2015 #20

Fine, but the reason you keep harping on that is because the forces that cali May 2015 #24

I only "harp" on it when someone says "republicans support TPP". pampango May 2015 #25

how do you account for the fact that democrats do not support free trade cali May 2015 #26

Then why do they think that TPP and TTIP are 'good ideas'? Are they not 'free trade'? pampango May 2015 #29

Found something interesting re support for ftas cali May 2015 #27

At that link it seemed to show that republican opposition to trade agreements was stronger pampango May 2015 #30

Where did you get this information from? Link would be great. stillwaiting May 2015 #35

Here is the link. I put in one post and not the other. pampango May 2015 #42

The republicans broadly support TPP. morningfog May 2015 #10

republican politicians - Yes; republicans - No. n/t pampango May 2015 #21

It is blind cheerleading for a Democratic president. Enthusiast May 2015 #17

The bases: cheerleaders vs. haters? "Long live the politicians" said the populist. "They know more pampango May 2015 #23

You have it all backwards. Enthusiast May 2015 #28

You couldn't be more wrong. Opposition to the TPP is so great that they had to postpone it a year sabrina 1 May 2015 #37

"This is really no longer 'left/right', it is Americans V Global Corporations..." pampango May 2015 #40

The title could have asked, 'which side are you on, Republicans' or Democrats': sabrina 1 May 2015 #36

Or which base are you with, republican or Democratic? It is not that simple. n/t pampango May 2015 #41

I lost your logic train. You say, "The Democratic base does not want to leave NAFTA and the WTO as rhett o rick May 2015 #63

What about workers in foreign countries that would benefit from investment there? Hoyt May 2015 #5

I was watching the Pacquiao-Mayweather coverage... DemocratSinceBirth May 2015 #22

Exactly, and invest in their country. But folks here are too worried about their jobs, to care. Hoyt May 2015 #33

Mexican farmers were destroyed by NAFTA and this will do even more harm. If you call NAFTA good for sabrina 1 May 2015 #47

Mexican farmers are now getting jobs with hourly wages that exceed what they made in a week before. Hoyt May 2015 #48

You just confirmed my point. NAFTA destroyed Mexico's agricultural culture. Then took advantage of sabrina 1 May 2015 #52

Reich said he still thinks NAFTA is good, should have had labor and environmental protections. Hoyt May 2015 #58

'They' meaning governments. sabrina 1 May 2015 #60

They now have the opportunity to make more in an hour than they did a week before. Hoyt May 2015 #62

Here's a pretty balanced report that concludes with -- Hoyt May 2015 #50

I am really sick of this shit BainsBane May 2015 #7

OK. I'm not telling anyone what to do. Just pointing out the obvious. cali May 2015 #8

People in the real world do not take political positions morningfog May 2015 #11

Please understand, TPP and TIPP will completely overrule the laws of this land! The secret Dont call me Shirley May 2015 #15

Kicked! ibewlu606 May 2015 #12

Here's to you on this May Day! cali May 2015 #13

Great post Cali. No to TPP. And Happy May Day! appalachiablue May 2015 #14

K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast May 2015 #16

thanks for the kick, E cali May 2015 #18

We have to put this in terms people can understand d_legendary1 May 2015 #19

Tell that to German workers or Swedish or Canadian or Australian. pampango May 2015 #31

You're actually arguing that because free trade hasn't harmed workers in Germany cali May 2015 #32

No. I'm arguing that 'free trade' does not harm workers; lousy, conservative domestic policies do. pampango May 2015 #38

What do you think "free trade" agreements + "lousy, conservative domestic policies" yields? stillwaiting May 2015 #44

About the same as no "free trade agreements" + "lousy, conservative domestic policies." pampango May 2015 #49

The German People don't like Free Trade Agreements either d_legendary1 May 2015 #61

Yep. NaturalHigh May 2015 #34

i do not sit well with, .... you are 'gainst us, or fer us. mentality. seabeyond May 2015 #39

fine. but facts are facts. You cannot say you stand with unions who unequivocally oppose cali May 2015 #43

No doubt there will always be the pretense by others who claim implicit knowledge... LanternWaste May 2015 #54

I like NAFTA and I like TPP and I like international trade agreements and open borders like the EU underahedgerow May 2015 #45

thanks for the thoughtful response. cali May 2015 #46

Its all I can do to keep from falling out laughing at this. Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #53

You can laugh all you like but in the real world global trade & commerce is going to move underahedgerow May 2015 #55

If you get Fast Track approved and Jeb Bush gets elected, he and his pile of buttwipes stillwaiting May 2015 #56

Yep, Bush used fast track for his distructive trade deals until it expired in 2007. (nm) Elwood P Dowd May 2015 #57

K & R historylovr May 2015 #51

K & R AzDar May 2015 #59

K&R!!! colsohlibgal May 2015 #64