FREE TRADE DEFEATS ALL STIMULUS

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/FREE-TRADE-DEFEATS-ALL-STI-by-Kent-Welton-110909-71.html

No matter how much debt-money we throw at the problems caused by forced free trade and debt-money, the problem continues to worsen because we have further to fall, and we are being forced to fall further due to the undemocratic banking and trade regimes we continue to suffer under.

For some perspective on "free trade" I include here a portion of my chapter on Growthism and Free Trade from CAP-Com, The Economics Of Balance, written in 1995, that explains the root problems in "our" economy.

:snip:

Free trade is a noble goal and objective. However, in a still very disparate and undemocratic world, it is how we arrive at this or any other end, and whether or not the majority decide the objective and shape the result, that makes all the difference and defines true freedom.

Trade policy is not simply a matter of nationalism versus internationalism, or protectionism versus exposure-ism, it is first one of democracy or oligarchy and who defines the terms. Also, a "free trade" without a freedom not to trade - and adjust for national differences, democratic preferences, human rights, local food and resource necessities, and eco-system impacts - is nothing less than a forced and dismal trade.

More at the link --

[madinmaryland]

1. Free trade is only free trade if it is FAIR trade. nt

[LWolf]

2. FAIR TRADE. nt

[Dragonfli]

3. K&R We have to stop the latest Chamber of Commerce plan to implement three new ones! They hired a

good speaker and many are swooning over the free trade deals now, but it is not a Democratic principle to offshore more jobs to enrich a few, no matter how much some may be susceptible to a smooth talking mouthpiece for COC policy we must resist the con that will mean even fewer jobs.

[bhikkhu]

4. You are thinking of free trade + strong dollar policy

which is what we had for about 30 years, and which is used to describe the effects of free trade. "Strong dollar" policy makes our goods expensive in other markets (so people don't buy them) and makes our goods look expensive compared to imports (again, so people don't buy them). The result is lost jobs.

On the other hand, free trade with a weak dollar policy - which we have currently - makes our products more affordable in other markets, so people buy them. And it makes domestic and local production look inexpensive compared to imported goods, so, again, people buy them. The result is a stronger manufacturing sector, and more jobs.

Take a look at recent trends already: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/business/economy/us-exports-rise-to-record-as-trade-deficit-shrinks.html

"US Exports Rise to Record as Trade Deficit Shrinks". There's not a whole lot of good news floating around, but that is definitely a bright spot. The president's push on trade is to expand and make the most of the trend.

[Dragonfli]

5. I see, so it is worth the sales even if it encourages offshore labor to produce the products

Sounds like a win for Corporations that will be doing the selling, but how is labor supposed to compete with dollar a day wages?
Is it really better for the country to exploit a trend that will enable a few more sales while shipping more jobs oversees?

Perhaps for the investor class, the only class left with representation around here.
Unfortunately, few of us work in the corporate sales divisions of our corporate overlords nor do we have the capital to invest in those corporations as our only means of income.

I can tell that you don't work for a living, more likely make a living on the phone or shuffling papers.

I am glad your job can't be outsourced, or can it? Perhaps you haven't thought of that yet.

[bhikkhu]

6. The point is to strengthen US manufacturing

...and the link shows that it is possible, and it is working. In the midst of all the other problems the economy has, manufacturing and export are actually doing well. Manufacturing is what built the middle class in the US.

I'm a mechanic by trade. I don't know if that fits in with any of the grand theories.

[Dragonfli]

7. You can't likely be outsourced then, manufacturing has nearly died as a result of free trade

It is only natural to wish to end the continuation of outsourcing due to free trade agreements, still some fall for the same marketing I heard before NAFTA (it passed then a great many car companies promptly closed up shops in Detroit and had more and more parts made in plants they owned in Mexico killing many, many jobs here).

The manufacturing is being done by US owned companies that have plants located overseas.

I am sorry you believe in this bullshit marketing (a great many fell for it last time as well), but then again shipping is too much for people to save by sending their cars to mexico for servicing, so at least it will not harm you.

[bvar22]

8. It all looks good in the Sales Brochures from the 90s,

and manufacturing Jobs WILL return to America
when American Workers are hungry enough to work for 3rd World Slave Wages,
and, yes, that IS happening now.

"Free Trade" was (and IS) a SCAM designed by the RICH (Corporate Owners) to allow them to have access to Slave Labor, and avoid Environmental and Human Rights Regulation. They used smooth talking politicians to SELL "Free Trade" to a gullible America.
Their SCAM has worked perfectly, and is STILL working.

Ross was Right!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkgx1C_S6ls&feature=player_embedded

Isn't that a great shot of Smooth Bill?
He destroyed the Working Class,
but you STILL gotta like the Old Dog.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone

photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed

Thats the problem I have with "Centrists".
They agree with republicans too much.
You will know "them" by their "Free Trade" & Tax Cuts.


Solidarity!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[bhikkhu]

9. Again, the effect of trade is determined by monetary policy

the 90's were predictable based on a policy that made imports cheap, and domestic goods expensive in comparison. That was all deliberate, and part of a semi-boneheaded and idealistic notion of what our future would look like.

Trade itself isn't the problem - currently we have a good monetary policy, growth in manufacturing, and an improving trade balance. It is possible to learn lessons from the past.

[bvar22]

11. Capital will ALWAYS be able to outrun Human Rights & Environmental Regulations,

unless we have a government that serves the interests of the 98% of Americans who WORK for a living
by putting restraints on Capital.

Trade Treaties NEED to be renegotiated bi-laterally bi-annually,
and US workers protected by a Transparent and Quick Acting International Trade Agency with SHARP TEETH to penalize offenders and ensure Human Rights & Environmental Protections.

To level the playing field, Mom & Pop businesses need to have access to the same prices the Big Boxes are able to negotiate with their 3rd World Suppliers at the Point of Entry into the US.
In its current incarnation, Big Boxes have a HUGE advantage over Mom & Pop (small locally owned businesses).
Only THEN, will "Free Trade" be "Good for America".

Despite the empty words of reassurance, the "Free Trade" plans being marketed by the Obama Administration have none of those protections, and are More of the Same.
The worst offender is the proposed "Free Trade" with Colombia, one of the WORST Human Rights Offenders in South America,
and also the 3rd Highest Recipient of US Foreign Aid.
It is quite possible that US taxpayers will be paying the corrupt Right Wing government of Colombia to undercut their own jobs in the US.

There is NO such thing as "Free Trade".
There is NO such thing as a "Free Market".
There is NO Giant "Invisible Hand".
If you Work for a Living,
do NOT trust ANY politician who espouses a belief in them.
Those things do NOT exist, and that politician is NOT your friend.
"Free Markets" and the "Invisible Hand" are a Faith Based Mythology.


You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[pampango]

10. Germany's labor competes in the world and their manufacturing employees make more than the US'.

They are the third largest exporter in the world after China and the US and they have a fraction of the population.

We are only the "helpless giant that cannot resist the hordes of poor Asians" if we allow ourselves to be. If Europe can make high wages, strong unions, progressive taxation work for them to compete in the world so can we.

Liberals and progressives should stand for tearing down walls (tariffs) not building them. That's what FDR stood for in contrast to the Smoot/Hawley republicans. That's also what European liberals stand for in contrast to their conservatives, particularly their far-right, that want so dissolve the EU, build the borders within Europe back up and put tariffs on each other's goods.

Conservatives and the rich are the ones that love walls around their countries and neighborhoods.

[Divine Discontent]

12. if they, as Pres Obama said, allow fair access for American products, then fine

http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128002960205017719