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CAFTA Guts All “Buy American” Laws: A New Green Light for Outsourcing
Sierra Times ^ | July 27, 2005 | Sierra Times

Posted on 07/27/2005 10:23:01 AM PDT by w6ai5q37b

Washington, DC – “Buy American” laws and similar state and federal legislation would be gutted by CAFTA procurement rules that prohibit all laws that give a preference to domestic or local businesses according to U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood, who says CAFTA Article 9 overturns every state and federal law that requires federal, state, and local government agencies to buy American products, or use American workforces. CAFTA Article 9.2.

No Party (Nation) may treat a locally established supplier any less favorably than another locally established supplier on the basis of degree of foreign affiliation or ownership, or …on the basis that goods or services …are goods or services of another Party (Nation).

“CAFTA would immediately overturn all the hard work of our state legislatures in trying to support local businesses and jobs,” says Norwood. “It would overrule all state and federal law on the issue, effectively destroying our sovereignty, and would block any action by the voters to correct this outrage.”

The Article would also prohibit laws that restrict or ban the outsourcing of jobs to CAFTA nations or firms registered to CAFTA nations. Under the protection of the article, a Central American firm with a satellite office in America could contract with an Indian telemarketing company to provide a low bid for federal or state government phone banks, such as IRS hotlines or state employment office services. All state and federal laws to the contrary would be void, and the CAFTA firm could sue if they failed to win the contract after submitting the low bid. The case would be heard by a CAFTA tribunal, consisting of two Central American judges pitted against one judge from the United States.

Norwood says Article 9 is just one more glaring example of CAFTA attempts to overthrow Americans’ ability to govern themselves. “At every turn, this bill seeks to wipe out American law, in favor of CAFTA and other world trade agreement rules. This Article makes it crystal clear that CAFTA is more than a trade agreement – it is a treaty, and should be rejected.”


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Foreign Affairs; Mexico
KEYWORDS: buyamerican; cafta; gatt; harmonization; integration; internationalization; nafta; treasonatthetop; twoheadedsnake; wto
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To: Regulator
Don't be bashful. Name the criminal company.

I will at some point, but as a potential witness, I would prefer not to jeopardize my testimony. Typing the company name will associate my FR identity with this company and will be found by an attorney, etc.

21 posted on 07/27/2005 12:12:27 PM PDT by TheOtherOne (I often sacrifice my spelling on the alter of speed™)
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To: blackeagle
I am led to believe that congress does not represent the people.

They haven't for a long time now, but there is a constitutional solution to our Wayward Congress and our Wayward President.

And someday, when We the People Wise Up, we will Rise Up, and tell this anti-constitutional government of ours to cease and desists..or we'll do it for them.

NONE of US should be forced to buy anything but USA Products..I will gladly pay extra for sugar and steel, buying USA whenever possible..let the Imports ROT ON THE DOCK!!! SHOW BUSH HE AINT NO KING!!!!!!

22 posted on 07/27/2005 12:17:11 PM PDT by Iron Matron (Illegals should be Caught and Deported; not Released and Supported!)
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To: w6ai5q37b
I'm in Ohio's Second District, so there's nobody for me to call. Our former Representative Rob Portman is doing a wonderful job supporting the President on this issue and I am confident that the vote today will be yet another victory for the President and free trade.

Banana Lobby 1, Textile & Sugar Lobby 0.

23 posted on 07/27/2005 12:27:48 PM PDT by You Dirty Rats (WE WILL WIN WITH W)
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To: hedgetrimmer

Ping for more CAFTA bad news


24 posted on 07/27/2005 12:49:07 PM PDT by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: MarcusTulliusCicero

Collecting the benefits Americans won't get.


25 posted on 07/27/2005 12:55:56 PM PDT by hedgetrimmer
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To: antisocial
Thanks. I find it terrible the way the Administration is pushing the CAFTA when their chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers is saying we have to get our manufacturing back from China. So giving it to central America gets it back? I don't think so.

The challenge will come once the price of imports begins to rise. At that point, Americans will have to produce for themselves much more of what they consume, or pay a lot more for the privilege. Ideally, the process would involve America becoming a much bigger producing nation, even stepping up its exports to Asia, while Asia, and especially China, takes up the role of consumer.

That is essentially the view of the Bush administration as outlined by Ben Bernanke, the newly appointed chairman of President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers. "We probably have little choice except to be patient as we work to create" the necessary conditions for a reversal of roles, he said in a recent speech.

http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2005/07/22/business/dollar.php
26 posted on 07/27/2005 12:58:42 PM PDT by hedgetrimmer
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To: w6ai5q37b
Not only that but illegal immigration will become the legal transport of people, goods and services, across the entire western hemisphere. If any country tries to inhibit the free flow of any of the above, that country will be taken to court.

Republicans are certain that with these votes to redistribute the American wealth and jobs, the Mexican illegals will flock to the polls to vote for them. They no longer believe they need the conservative wing of the party to win elections. They may be right.

At the present, Mexicans are happy to undercut American citizens and work for very low pay. The politicians will count on that, along with forcing the American tax payers to pay for the social services used by the illegals. Those two things should keep the Mexican workers happy for a while. Later, it will be interesting to see if the unions can boost the salaries of the Mexican workers.

27 posted on 07/27/2005 1:08:16 PM PDT by swampfox98 (How American became a nation of traitors: Greed, corrupt politicians and religious leaders.)
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To: MarcusTulliusCicero
But, but......if we send all of our jobs overseas, what will all the new guest workers be doing?

They can go on welfare of course!
28 posted on 07/27/2005 1:20:57 PM PDT by w6ai5q37b (There's no such thing as "free trade." Nothing in life is free.)
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To: TheOtherOne
Who is the proper authority to whom I can make a report

Did you try taking it to your rep in Congress?
29 posted on 07/27/2005 1:22:42 PM PDT by w6ai5q37b (There's no such thing as "free trade." Nothing in life is free.)
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To: swampfox98

President Bush is holding an emergency meeting today.. as it "looks" like CAFTA will not be
passed.. it only "looks" this way because he has not paid off enough representatives to vote for
CAFTA... CAFTA means:


No more Vitamins or health food stores

Irradiated food that is genetically engineered, grown in human fecal matter, and sprayed with
pesticides at least 30 times, from countries that will not be marked on your food.

More manufacturing jobs (Alcoa & Auto Manufacturers have already moved to Centrl America) moving
South. Pay is $.30 an hour... look foward to your children making this pay scale.

Illegal aliens will flood over our borders.. When NAFTA was passed the Mexican got permission to
come over the border.. when CAFTA is passed 6 countries will have permission to send their people
over the border... all this while we have "TERRORISM"??? We are asked to give up all our freedoms
while Bush and congress invite the terrorists to dinner. (give me a break)


If you have not called your representative... TOLL FREE #s to REACH CAPITAL SWITCHBOARD:
866-340-9281, 866-340-9279, 877-762-8762


30 posted on 07/27/2005 1:44:22 PM PDT by Warhorse
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To: w6ai5q37b; madfly

Unbelieveable! No it's not. American has been sold lock, stock, and barrel. Is Dubya bound and determined to impose his father's vision on us, no matter what?


31 posted on 07/27/2005 2:02:41 PM PDT by TheSpottedOwl (UR 0wN3D: USSC-2005)
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To: w6ai5q37b

Kill it dead. Where's the Raid?


32 posted on 07/27/2005 2:07:58 PM PDT by hershey
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To: Iron Matron
For some time now, I've known the senate failed to represent any interest of the American public, but I had always felt that hope lied in the house... I was wrong.

When I read passages from the founding fathers on tyranny, there was always a disconnect and it followed me up untill the kelo ruling. Then I finally understood the spirit of 75 and the words of Jefferson.

Up for a tea party?

33 posted on 07/27/2005 2:15:06 PM PDT by blackeagle
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To: w6ai5q37b
Did you try taking it to your rep in Congress?

That is a good idea. Do you think mine will help?

http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/

34 posted on 07/27/2005 2:20:34 PM PDT by TheOtherOne (I often sacrifice my spelling on the alter of speed™)
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To: blackeagle

Up for a tea party?


Compiling the guest list...


35 posted on 07/27/2005 2:53:15 PM PDT by Iron Matron (Illegals should be Caught and Deported; not Released and Supported!)
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To: hedgetrimmer
Ideally, the process would involve America becoming a much bigger producing nation, even stepping up its exports to Asia, while Asia, and especially China, takes up the role of consumer.

Where to starty with this idiocy? Remember NAFTA gang? It was going to raise the living standards of our allies south of the border, and they would buy our manufactured goods.

How long is it going to take before some commie peasant in china earns enough money to pay for American made golf clubs, or a new Suburban?

LOL!

Hey, it might just work! We must all accept paycuts until our wages are lower than theirs! Then we can work and slave for THEM!

36 posted on 07/27/2005 4:04:11 PM PDT by GhostofWCooper (enough's enough. Deport them and build the fence.)
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To: madfly; All

Just like NAFTA this scam will probably pass. Only until politicians feel the heat at election time will they stop selling us out this way.


37 posted on 07/27/2005 7:48:57 PM PDT by Reaganwuzthebest
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To: w6ai5q37b

Many years ago, the company I worked for sent part of its manufacturing capability to Mexico as a cost-cutting move. For two years, they worked with the Mexican employees to train them on the proper techniques for building and testing quality products.

For two years, what they got for their effort was consistently inferior product. Finally, thay had to pull the product line back to the US and resume building it here to obtain the required quality.

This isn't an isolated event, I've heard of other companies that experienced the same problems. If American businesses want to try to maintain the same level of growth or expand it and increase profits, stocking their shelves with inferior products is NOT the way to do it.

Many American businesses are (re-)learning that shipping jobs and manufacturing capacity offshore doesn't always equal a corresponding increase in profits. Many times, the costs of doing business offshore, despite lower wage/benefit costs, is the same or higher than leaving the business in the US. Businesses are beginning to learn that the big profit magins they expected by doing business in India are not being realized. I anticipate that many will begin to quietly pull out of India and return the business segments to the US in the next 2 - 3 years for the same reason.

CAFTA, in all its iterations, will get a lot of people excited and may cause some manufacturing to move offshore. The long-term effect, IMO, will not be as satisfactory as the businesses expect. As another poster noted, it may be just the EU for the western hemisphere, and it will likely bring the same result. The EU is crumbling and, like the EU, CAFTA will also crumble down the road.

I don't like CAFTA anymore than anyone else, but I'm also not concerned that my job is going to be exported south of the border. The biggest beneficiaries from CAFTA are likely to be the businesses in the signatory SA companies that will have open access to our markets for whatever products they can sell here. Traditionally, products from SA have not done well in American markets and have met with only limited success in very limited markets.


38 posted on 07/28/2005 4:31:48 AM PDT by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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To: DustyMoment
Many years ago, the company I worked for sent part of its manufacturing capability to Mexico as a cost-cutting move. For two years, they worked with the Mexican employees to train them on the proper techniques for building and testing quality products.

I guess what you mean is that the company had it's employees train the Mexicans before the employees were given the pink slip. Sort of the economic equivalent of forcing prisoners to dig their own graves before they shooting them.
39 posted on 07/28/2005 8:51:20 AM PDT by w6ai5q37b (There's no such thing as "free trade." Nothing in life is free.)
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To: w6ai5q37b

Kelo vs. New London redux?


40 posted on 07/28/2005 8:57:55 AM PDT by gopwinsin04
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