Top Dem threatens to block trade deal with Ecuador over Snowden

[Catherina]

28. I think the sun is already rising on that day & we're too arrogant to notice

Ecuador doesn't want our stupid *help* to fight OUR drug war. When you read this careful, the US is holding 100,000 jobs in the cut flower business over their heads.

He also promised to block renewal of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which also expires at the end of next month.

An OPEC nation, Ecuador exported $5.4 billion worth of oil, $166 million of cut flowers, $122 million of fruits and vegetables and $80 million of tuna to the United States under the Andean trade program in 2012.

While Ecuador could find other markets for its oil, termination of the benefits could hurt the cut flower industry, which has blossomed under the program and employs more than 100,000 workers, many of them women.

Ecuador is the only recipient of trade benefits under the long-time Andean program. Peru and Colombia have free trade pacts with the United States and Bolivia was suspended several years ago.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/06/26/usa-security-snowden-congress-idINDEE95P0LE20130626

We're so dishonest too. Bolivia wasn't suspended- it told us to shove it. Our news media is less than worthless, it's dangerous.

And as far as the Drug Eradication *benefits* which are part and parcel of the Andean Trade, they don't want it. Along with the other ALBA countries, they pledged to throw out the last remnants of USAID. Their business with China is increasing, especially in the oil field. Years ago, we were the importer for over 75% of Ecuador's oil; today we're at under 50%. Their economy is thriving while housing more people, building more schools, feeding more poor. Their President is doing such a great job that he has a 90% approval rating. Who needs who here? I'm flabbergasted that our representatives are either this uninformed, this jingoistic or this stupid. ALBA rising, US sinking. Personally I prefer not to see my country sink. But forgive me, I drifted. We weren't very nice on the way up so it won't be gentle on the way down. If we'd at least act gracefully, I think our landing would be a lot softer because there's still enough goodwill to work with us if we would only capitalize on it with a little grace.