The "Ports Control Deal" puts Dems in an awkward position, too.

[KoKo]

Poll question: The "Ports Control Deal" puts Dems in an awkward position, too.

The Democratic Party has supported "Free Trade" along with the Repugs for a
long while now. Foreign ownership of former American Companies has been okay and has sort of gone under the radar for most Americans

This "Ports Control" issue probably has three camps in the Dem Party. DLC, DNC, Populist. The Progressives will be split between the Populist Progressives and the Social Progressives.

I wonder how DU'ers feel about UAE's owning a Company that will control our port security.

[mdmc]

1. I oppose this only b/c it makes bush look bad

If Kucinich, Wes Clark, Al Sharpton, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Sherrod Brown, and Bernie Saunders all came out and supported this deal, I would too.:kick:

[panader0]

2. Security issues aside, this is just another example of outsourcing

Americans need jobs. And not the poor-paying service jobs with no bennies.

[ChazII]

5. Still confused on this port thing

but I heard that the Coast Guard would do the patroling and checking. Does that mean that the CG would do the hiring?

Edited to add: I still feel the Americans should be in charge of all ports.

[shadowknows69]

3. There is some territory

that even free trade shouldn't be able to tread upon. Anything to do with our national defense, I think, would be off limits. One good thing during the cold war at least was that at least we tried to hide our technology from our poetential enemies. Now we give them the blueprints and trust them not to build it without some high tech sabotage that will someday bring us to our knees.

[AndyA]

4. Perhaps it's time for the Dems to say "WE'VE ALL MADE A MISTAKE!

This is not good for America, along with NAFTA, CAFTA, outsourcing of jobs, tax cuts to businesses to go overseas, and all the other anti-American crap we've been doing. We're sorry, America. All of us, Democrats and Republicans alike, have made a mistake! We should do what's right for America first, protect our interests and the American people, restore pride in America and being an American. We're sorry - we want to stop the selling of America to the highest bidder, and WE WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT."

[ChazII]

7. Mistakes have

been made by all, but I am not going to hold my breath waiting for an apology -- from anyone or any side. For whatever it is worth, I agree with you.

[rfranklin]

6. How many ports in China do we control?

I suspect none. So why are we letting them or any other foreign government control our ports? It's a sellout of our security.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Saturday]

10. Not even Halliburton......

is big enough? :sarcasm:

[KoKo]

11. Good point but I edited to: "Management/Security" because UAE will

really have control of Security because they OWN the Company that manages. I disagree that you can separate the issues.

We know that BushCo can't handle security. We also know they can't oversee
anything. Examples: "9/11," Iraq Invasion and Occupation, Katrina/New Orleans, US Economy, Medicare/Health Care, etc.....

They are screw ups.. They want to contract our country out to the highest bidder and they will oursource until there's nothing left for us but flipping burgers.

[izzybeans]

9. This isn't a free tade issue its a privatization issue.

Bush is in a pre 911 mindset if he things the ports of entry in this country should be controlled by private entities. If a government org. from a foreign country is the best candidate, then the cronyism in our government is worse than we ever imagined. But in reality, an administration similar to the TSA could run this as well as any government agency from Dubai. Don't forget it. And they can generate the same amount of capital in the process. Let's see it could be called the Port Authority. What a second there might be a few examples of that.

[Demeter]

12. Sorry, Foreign Ownership of American Companies Is NOT Okay

and never has been. It's just that the protests were stifled by Reagan, Bush and Bush the Lesser. From the smallest specialty ball bearing plant in NH to the tallest building in California, rage and anguish have always been raised at the loss of American capital, jobs, and prestige.

It's just that the situation has accelerated to the point that nobody can say; "It won't happen to me!"

[KoKo]

13. kick

[eridani]

14. Security, the environment and labor rights

are ALL more important than trade.