Thread: Bush Pressures Congress on Domestic Agenda

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... pr_wh/bush

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 1 minute ago

WASHINGTON - Capitalizing on recent positive news about the economy,
President Bush says Congress should support his agenda on trade,
Social Security and energy or risk endangering the economic security of the nation.

"For the sake of our nation's hardworking families, we must work together to achieve long-term economic security, so that we can continue to spread prosperity and hope throughout America and the world," Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address.

Fears the economy could be entering a period of slower growth have eased somewhat in recent days as the government reported that job growth and retail sales rebounded sharply in April following weaker-than-expected readings in March. Analysts believe the initial 3.1 percent estimate for overall economic growth in the first quarter â€â€

On Tuesday, the president addresses his free-trade agenda, this time a proposal to grant duty-free status to six Central American and Caribbean nations. He plans to use the ceremonial swearing-in of U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman (news, bio, voting record) push for the Central America Free Trade Agreement, which faces stiff congressional resistance.

Why doesnt he address our lack of border security?

The accord is supported by business groups that covet greater access to the huge market of consumers. But many labor, human rights and immigration groups are working equally hard to defeat the measure because they say it does little to protect workers or the environment. Some lawmakers, including Republicans from textile and sugar-producing states, also fear the competition from cheaper imports.

Start Caring about the people who could have you impeached.

"This agreement would help the new democracies in our hemisphere deliver better jobs and higher labor standards to their workers, and it would create a more level playing field for American goods and services," Bush said in his broadcast.

Take care of our Democratic Republic First. Let them worry about their own. Rasie their labor standards while lowering ours, that makes a lot of sense.