Politics Triumphs Over Sound Judgment in Vote to Kill Colombia Trade Agreement
By Rep. Wally Herger Posted in Congress — Comments (12) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
We're pleased to welcome Rep. Herger (R-CA) to our front page. Rep. Herger is the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade. --Erick
In a month when Hillary Clinton’s top campaign advisor was demoted for promoting free trade, I guess it’s fitting that House Democrats, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, would vote to kill the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. It’s apparently in vogue to be an anti-trade Democrat now. The protectionist rhetoric of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Nancy Pelosi stands in sharp contrast to the dozens of prominent Democrats – many of them veterans of Bill Clinton’s administration – who reject economic isolationism and support the Colombia agreement.
By any rational measure, the Colombia agreement is a win-win for the United States. Colombian imports enter our nation mostly tariff free, but U.S. producers face steep tariffs when exporting goods and services to Colombia. The U.S.-Colombia agreement would level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers, farmers, and small businesses, and foster job creation and economic growth here at home. This is the ultimate “fair trade” agreement.
Formerly one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Colombia under President Alvaro Uribe’s leadership has undergone a remarkable transformation by embracing democracy and open markets, and taking a hard line against terrorists and drug traffickers. Violence has fallen dramatically, and the economy is surging. President Uribe has become one of America’s strongest allies in the Western Hemisphere, while neighboring Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is an anti-American socialist who openly admires Fidel Castro. Chavez is actively working to expand his influence in South America and undermine the Uribe government.
Five former commanders of the U.S. Southern Command have urged passage of the trade agreement, declaring that it “will meet our duty to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Colombians as they have stood by the United States as friends and allies.” Yet liberal Democrats appear unwilling to stand by our allies in Latin America.
America is the largest manufacturer and exporter of goods and services in the world, and U.S. workers, manufacturers, small businesses, and consumers are the benefactors of free trade. Advocates of open markets must now redouble our efforts to convince the American people of these benefits. If we do so effectively, the political winds across the aisle may change again and Congress could yet give the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement the consideration it so clearly deserves. In the meanwhile, the Democratic action to put this agreement on ice is bad news for U.S workers and our economy.
Thanks for dropping in, Rep Herger. This is just another up-front reminder of what America wrought when the voters ran the Republicans out of power in the Congress.
We gotta get a majority back, THEN when we do, that majority needs to govern by conservative principles instead of just sticking its head in the public trough like they did the last decade.
Kill the terrorists
Protect the borders
Punch the hippies -- Frank J
Opposing an agreement that would benefit an ally, changing the rules when they don't want to lose (really when they just don't want to vote) etc.
They are obscenely idiotic. I can't believe they have big brass ones big enough to criticize the Iraqi govt when the Iraqis are governing circles around them.
I would be gleeful at their gross stupidity and failings if they weren't governing me.
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
As the Congressman says, we face tarrifs on goods that we export to Columbia. This deal would phase those out. That would open up the market to our goods. How can this be a bad thing?
Fighting for conservatism one day at a time.
Even if our only benefit was cementing a friendship with an ally, that should be sufficient.
Pelosi is an &^%$#F@!
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
...the Democrats sell our allies up the river and allow Marxist thugs to take comfort in their dealings. And yet the media will not blink an eyelash about this.
This isn't a victory for America... it's a victory for Venezuela, and a further sign to the rest of the world that America is not interested in the interests of its allies in the developing world. If those on the left want to know why America's image in the world is declining, they can find their answer as close as the nearest mirror.
"No matter how much lipstick you put on the taxation pig, it's still a pig... and it's currently snout-down in your wallet." - Michael Fisk
Truth be known, the Pelosi-led Democrats could care less about a normally routine action like a trade agreement vote. Bush is the President, so anything you would normally do has to be made into a political ploy to stick your thumb into his eye.
Nothing like showing everyone you can act like little children to the detriment of ally.
This is the stuff of elementary playground maturity and it is sad to see in the United State's House of Representatives.
Once again, we are distancing ourselves from a country that has made great strides in becoming free and democratic. This will only help Chavez and Venezuela.
Where does our presidential nominee stand on this issue?
Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone. --Mitt Romney
Even though this deal would level the trade playing field between our two countries, which has the possible outcome of increasing jobs during a "recession", we should not do it because 39 labor activist in Columbia were murdered last year? I can tolerate the D's sticking up for unions in the USA even though I don't agree, but for them to stick up for FOREIGN LABOR UNIONS instead of American workers who may or may not be unionized is truly idiotic. Oh well, I guess I will just have to buy another gun and cling to God while I internalize my bitterness towards those not like me.
"Land of the Free and Home of da Whopper" Peter Griffin...Family Guy
conform and celebrate diversity....or else!!!
to McCain, like the N American unions have.
Did she drink too much of her own wine before she killed this vote? Ms Pelosi, your stupid switch is stuck in the ON position!
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=293065978453189
The bug eyed twit was on TV tonight explaining that they just didn't have time to vote on this issue. They have other more pressing concerns.
What, another cut 'n run vote?
I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful 100 percent.
...for bringing this here. I've been a stanch advocate for this agreement and the Democrats have once again worked against our best interest and that of our strongest ally in South America.
It's a shame...
Founder and contributor to The Minority Report and Editor for The Hinzsight Report