Quote:
Originally posted by Sidd Finch
So, just for the hell of it, I did a quick google search and see that Tauscher and other Dems argue that, despite their support for free trade (which is certainly true as to Tauscher), they oppose CAFTA because of the absence of labor and environmental standards. Not knowing much about the bill, I can't say -- I know Spanky's response, which is that the free market will take care of the environment. I've already expressed my surprise and disappointment in Tauscher's position, but I would like to know a bit more about the rationale for her opposition (I'm funny that way -- willing to consider what people have to say before condemning them as bush-bashing union whores).
Fortunately, though, we have the business lobby riding to the rescue of the country, in the selfless pursuit of the free trade agenda:
Yeah, business is always out there lobbying for pro-growth policies.
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Of course that is the excuse that Tauscher is using. But that is the excuse the unions use every time. I never said specific industries support free trade. I said before that businessmen support free trade in every industry but their own. I also said that you can't trust businesses to look out for the enviornment. But I still stand by what I said. Business groups that represent a broad spectrum of business, like the Chamber of Commerce almost always support pro-growth bills. The broad interest of American businessnes (not specific industries) is to support pro-growth policies (especially free trade). The only time the Unions and the Chamber seem to agee on stuff, is when it comes to raping the environment. The only other time Unions and business get togehter, is when specific industries, like the steel industry, push for self serving stuff, like steel tariffs that screw the rest of the business coummunity. But the unions usually support these inividual industry anti-growth pork barrel legislation, because such usually also protects union jobs (to the detriment of the rest of the country). But groups like the Chamber rarely go down that path. So most of the time the Unions and the Chamber are at eachothers throats. When the Chamber and Unions disagree most of the time the Chamber takes the pro-growth side where the Unions do not. This does not mean that Unions do not serve a purpose or never do good things, it is just when it comes to legislation, if the Unions are opposing the Chamber, the Chamber is usually on the side of growth. The Republicans on a local, State and Federal level side with the Chambers much more than the Democrats do. So on balance if you want to support pro-growth policies you should be supporting Republicans.
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