Thread: Bush: Protectionism Will Cost U.S. Jobs

Bush: Protectionism Will Cost U.S. Jobs
Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:08 AM EDT
The Associated Press
By JENNIFER LOVEN Associated Press Writer

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Alarmed by slipping support for free trade even among Republicans, President Bush is arguing that protectionism will cut Americans out of chances for more — and better — jobs.

Bush has launched a blitz on behalf of pending free trade pacts with four nations. He continued the push Saturday in his weekly radio address.

"More exports support better and higher-paying jobs," the president said. "And to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade."

His radio address followed a speech on trade he delivered Friday in Miami. Bush also granted interviews this week to business-oriented news organizations.

Since Democrats took control of Congress in January, it has not approved any free trade agreements that the administration has negotiated, and it has allowed Bush's authority to negotiate future deals under expedited procedures to expire.

Before lawmakers now are agreements with Peru and Panama, considered likely to pass, and with Colombia and South Korea, both seen as precarious. The deal with Colombia is in trouble over human rights issues and there is strong opposition to the South Korea agreement because of barriers erected by Seoul to keep out U.S. autos and beef.

The administration already has reached agreement with Democrats to include tougher language on protecting worker rights and the environment. But critics say five consecutive years of record U.S. trade deficits have played a major role in the loss of more than 3 million manufacturing jobs since Bush took office in 2001.

"I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs," Bush said. "So the federal government is providing substantial funding for trade adjustment assistance that helps Americans make the transition from one job to the next. We are working to improve federal job-training programs. And we are providing strong support for America's community colleges, where people of any age can go to learn new skills for a better, high-paying career."

He said the deals would level the playing field for American businesses and farmers, many of which now face high tariffs on exported products while other countries enjoy relatively open access to U.S. markets. And he argued that freer trade with allies serves "America's security and moral interests" around the globe.

"Expanding trade will help our economy grow," Bush said. "So I call on Congress to act quickly and get these agreements to my desk."

After spending Friday in Florida talking trade and raising money for the Republican Party, Bush flew to Texas for a weekend stay at his ranch. He travels Monday to Rogers, Ark., for a speech on the budget and to Memphis to raise money to help Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., in his re-election bid. The president returns to Washington Monday evening

We should organize some calls to oppose these trades.

The desire on the part of some for neo mercantilist policies should not be confused with the broad struggle for immigration enforcement.

These trades are taking away American jobs and American merchandise.
We are going to have mercahndise from more countries and our people are going to be substitute by more foreigners.
Illegal immigration is just 1 arm of the beast.
Globalization, erradication of sovereignty, NAU, SPP, Real ID, War in Iraq, devaluation of the dollar, etc.. are all part of the same BEAST

By Bush bringing in illegals and outsourcing jobs he has already cost many Americans their jobs.

"I know many Americans feel uneasy about new competition and worry that trade will cost jobs

We have reason to be uneasy about anything he does.

Yea, but he wants congress to open trade with more 4 countries. Until he leaves office we will be a 3rd world already and our wages will be like slave wages.

The president and his globalist cronies keep telling us it will create better jobs for us here at home! What a Crock!!!

The only one's that benefit are the Corporations and investors. They will not stop until all free and successful economies are in their clutches. As long as they can keep people poor and dependant they can control the masses!

Look at the extremely high cost of a college education. What is the point of going to a 4 year college, come out $50000 in debt only to be paid $20000 a year!

Look at all the high tech and manufacturing jobs that have been outsourced. They are now insourcing jobs thru the H1B visa program, they now want engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants, even some doctors. These are considered "White Collar" good paying jobs and they are bringing in foreign labor to again undercut American wages! We all know that Nafta has been a disaster for our country as well as the countries we are trading with!

It is time we pull out of these treaties and bring back our manufacturing jobs to this country. It is time we put a limit on all H1b visas so that our children can pursue these careers with jobs that will support them and their future families without strapping them with so much debt! How can one possibly pay back thousands and thousands of dollars for a college education only to graduate and gain employment @ $12.00 an hour?

It is time to take America back! If they choose to call me a protectionist then I wear the title with pride! IMO the only canidate that is addressing the unfair trade policies with China, bringing back jobs to America and addressing Illegal Immigration is Duncan Hunter ...as unless I see something different from the other canidates he has my vote in "08"

I don't think he really knows just how many Americans are having trouble finding jobs, I really don't. If you have a good job and you lose it due to corporate restructuring or because they're sending so many jobs out of the country plus bringing in so many foreign workers......he just doesn't know or he just doesn't get it.....just how much this is hurting so many Americans.

He ought to visit some families undergoing lay-offs and see the reality of the situation which so many American families are facing. It's not a pretty picture and certainly nothing to feel optimistic about.

If you go to www.CFR.org scroll down and there is an article called "Helping Globalizations Hardest Hit".It talks about the TAA and yes my take is we are being replaced.The article was written by 2 of our congress people........

I don't believe this trade agreement or the H-1B visas do anything but benefit Big Business.

"More exports support better and higher-paying jobs," the president said. "And to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade."

Sorry to inform you of this, Bush, but you have zero credibility on issues involving trade. Hmmm........actually you have zero credibility on most issues.