Some proponents of NAFTA argued erroneously that free trade would reduce the flow of migrants, but the opposite happened [Note: this is a fact, though the number of jobs have increased, wages have not] because the development strategy implicit in NAFTA encourages foreign investment near the border, which serves as a magnet to attract labor from the center and the south of Mexico. [Note: also at Mexico's northern border has been an increase in drug trafficing and violent crimes.] Surveys suggest that roughly 90 percent of all Mexican illegal migrants do not come to the United States because they lack jobs; they have them. They seek higher wages. [Note: They not only get higher wages in the U.S., they also get free handouts from employers and free benefits off law-abiding, taxpaying legal U.S. citizens.] Illegal migration is unlikely to shrink until the income gap begins to narrow. None of the current proposals - walls, guest worker programs, more border patrol, and “regularization” - will solve the problem, and most could make it worse. (p. 4)So much for the spin that illegals don't have jobs in Mexico
Forging a North American Community It is time to stop debating NAFTA and start addressing the agenda for North America’s second decade. We should begin by articulating a vision of a North American Community where each state recognizes that instability or recession in one affects the others, and each benefit from the others’ success. When the value of a neighbor’s house rises, this has a positive effect on the other homes. (p. 5)
One big happy interdependent family
The paramount challenge for North America is to close the income gap separating Mexico from its northern neighbors. [At what cost of U.S. and Canadian citizens? This is socialism. Take from the wealthy and give to the poor. Why is Mexico so poor when it's elites are so rich?] The European Union demonstrated this could be done. From 1986-2003, the per capita GDP of the four poorest countries of the EU – Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Ireland - rose from 65% of the EU average to 82%. About half of the $500 billion was spent poorly, but....[NO BUTS....this is what happens when you USE A CORRUPT SYSTEM (socialism) to take money from those who earn, and give it to CORRUPT GOVERNMENTS, INSTITUTIONS, and PEOPLE.] the investment in communications and roads that connected these countries to the richer markets worked.
...establish a North American Investment Fund...Mexico needs also to undertake fiscal, energy, electricity, and labor reforms. However, instead of making the aid conditional or waiting for Mexico to do the reforms, the three leaders should decide how each would contribute to the community’s goal of narrowing the gap. This approach could give Mexico the leverage to undertake the reforms. [Canadian and American citizens, yet, again, funding Mexico, before they even prove they have ceased being corrupt. Isn't this like throwing pearls before swine?]
...The U.S. contribution over ten years would be about one-third of what it has spent in Iraq in the last three years...[Nearly $9 billion of money spent on Iraqi reconstruction is unaccounted for because of inefficiencies and bad management | I suggest MORE OF THE SAME will happen under such a scheme of money transfers to Mexico.]
...the best way to assure the security of North America is not at our borders with Canada and Mexico and not by defining “security” solely by fences, but rather by forging a consensus with our neighbors to build a North American Security Perimeter....
There's that recurring theme again of focusing on EXTERNAL BORDER reinforcement on the perimeter of the entity now known as the "North American Union" and reducing focus on INTERNAL BORDERS between Canada/USA and USA/Mexico.
The three leaders should hold annual summits, but to make sure the meetings are not just photo-ops, a North American Advisory Council should be established. (p. 6)
Yet another committee, with taxpayers paying yet more salaries and benefits.
A North American Education plan should include funding for scholarships, research, and Centers for North American Studies.
Yet another committee.
If a North American Investment Fund is not possible at this time, Congress should consider amending the immigration bill to establish a Commission to study alternatives for closing the income gap.
Is this part of the "comprehensive immigration" plan that the President wants implemented?
Hopefully, our congress critters are too crooked for the study of closing the income gap. Also, you never can tell what is hidden in the bills that congress doesn't know about until it is too late.
It is no tellling what has been spent just to keep NAFTA afloat.
Some staggering remarks, huh? Every document I keep reading has similar or worse comments.
Your editorial comments are also right on the mark!
Okay... back to my homework (I've still got plenty to read too!)