Posted on 05/24/2006 7:39:47 PM PDT by John Konop
Congress outsources immigration law
America is no longer in charge of American immigration laws. Huge multinational corporations have built in a loophole by lobbying Rep. Tom Price and other members of Congress to pass the CAFTA trade agreement.
Immigration Reform Doesn’t Begin and End at the Border Even if Americans can finally convince Congress to secure the borders and begin enforcing existing immigration laws, it can all be evaded. Multinational corporations can subvert our immigration laws to insure a steady and endless flow of cheap, wage- lowering immigrant labor—while small businesses have to play by the rules.
Under Tom Price’s CAFTA, a foreign country that doesn’t like our immigration laws (or trade laws) can sue America in an “international tribunal”. These three-member tribunals are rigged—the foreign country names two of the “judges” while we name only one.
Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo goes on to explain: “If an international tribunal rules against us, Congress would then be forced to change our immigration laws or face international trade sanctions. These tribunals have the authority to rule that U.S. immigration limits, visa requirements, or even licensing requirements and zoning rules are ‘unnecessary burdens to trade’ that act as ‘restrictions on the supply of a service.’”
State Laws Are Also Vulnerable
Trade policies under NAFTA, CAFTA, and WTO don’t just threaten federal trade and immigration laws. States can lose the ability to set their own purchasing preferences if they are found to “discriminate” against foreign companies. For example, the following kinds of laws and policies can be overturned by foreign tribunal courts:
(Excerpt) Read more at controlcongress.com ...
America is no longer in charge of American immigration laws. Huge multinational corporations have built in a loophole by lobbying Rep. Tom Price and other members of Congress to pass the CAFTA trade agreement.
Immigration Reform Doesn’t Begin and End at the Border Even if Americans can finally convince Congress to secure the borders and begin enforcing existing immigration laws, it can all be evaded. Multinational corporations can subvert our immigration laws to insure a steady and endless flow of cheap, wage- lowering immigrant labor—while small businesses have to play by the rules.
Under Tom Price’s CAFTA, a foreign country that doesn’t like our immigration laws (or trade laws) can sue America in an “international tribunal”. These three-member tribunals are rigged—the foreign country names two of the “judges” while we name only one.
Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo goes on to explain: “If an international tribunal rules against us, Congress would then be forced to change our immigration laws or face international trade sanctions. These tribunals have the authority to rule that U.S. immigration limits, visa requirements, or even licensing requirements and zoning rules are ‘unnecessary burdens to trade’ that act as ‘restrictions on the supply of a service.’”
State Laws Are Also Vulnerable
Trade policies under NAFTA, CAFTA, and WTO don’t just threaten federal trade and immigration laws. States can lose the ability to set their own purchasing preferences if they are found to “discriminate” against foreign companies. For example, the following kinds of laws and policies can be overturned by foreign tribunal courts:
Buy Local or Buy American policies Laws that prohibit the off-shoring of state jobs Preferences for recycled content, renewable energy, and fuel-efficient vehicles Disqualification of contractors based on labor, human rights, or environmental practices
It gets worse: The state of Utah is currently being sued by the government of Antigua and Barbuda because Utah’s gambling regulations conflict with America's trade agreement obligation not to discriminate against foreigners providing "recreational services."
Amnesty for Trade Cheats
In the run-up to the CAFTA vote, Congressman Charlie Norwood (R-GA) called CAFTA’s foreign tribunals, “Amnesty for trade cheats, just like the same crowd’s proposals on amnesty for illegal aliens.” Tom Price ignored that and many other warnings. He dangled his CAFTA vote until the very end, and then finally sold out.
Under these trade deals, Americans are forced to compete against workers from countries with vastly inferior labor, wage, and environmental standards. That is not “fair” trade—not if you’re an American.
They also create a double-standard in law enforcement. A multinational corporation accused of violating U.S. immigration law can hide behind a stacked foreign tribunal. An American small business accused of the same offence must obey the law or face the penalties.
If you think one person can’t make a difference, remember: CAFTA passed by one vote.
Join challenger John Konop in demanding that these disastrous trade deals be renegotiated to:
Make American law the final authority in America
Include stronger enforcement provisions that support the interests of working families and small businesses
States’ Rights vs. Free Trade, by Business Week (Utah gambling case) CAFTA Undermines Immigration Laws, by Congressman Tom Tancredo
CAFTA: Amnesty for Trade Cheats, by Congressman Charlie Norwood
Interesting that you signed up tomorrow. Is that time machine working now?
I don't know dude? Why should I believe you're not just another political sell out to the higher power, money?
He didn't hide behind a screen-name, so we can hope.
That's true.
Welcome John Konop, if you are against CAFTA and NAFTA then so far you are okay in my book.
But, my solution to this mess is to outsource Congress, I am sure there is someone willing to do the job they are unwilling to do, and for peanuts too. ;)
Welcome to FR, John - and Good Luck.
Beware of the going to DC to do Good and staying to do well syndrome, though.
BUMPping
kdd,
I have worked to build small entrepreneur companies the last 12 years not multi-national companies.I have probably have lost some contacts do to speaking out. I am not a politician, a father,husband and an American first. The reason I am doing this I want my kids and yours to have the same opportunities in this great country I had.Thanks jk
Wow, John Konop. I didn't expect to see you here.
I live in Georgia's sixth district and you have my primary vote, though I highly doubt you can beat a much better known and funded Tom Price.
Napkinuser,
Thanks for the support. You are right this is David vs. Goliath.I have done some self polling,( mind you I have only done this in business not politics) my numbers show me down by only 10 points if the undecided brake evenly.I also was told by professionals in the campaign business that Price would not be spending the money he has this early if we are not fairly close.As you know he has a general election opponent.All that in mind we are the underdog, and any help and advise would be appreciated. Thanks jk o 770 852 2222
Also, I believe Price supported that consumer shafting bankruptcy bill. That one is hugely unpopular with Georgians. Tie him to his corporate interests with his vote. What is the price of having Price? ect.
konop is a kook. instead of campaigning, he blogs. instead of telling the truth, he lies. don't be fooled by his bogus banter, those in the know will tell you konop is a fake.
Only GOP Congressman With Primary Opposition A No-Show At Forum
By Dick Pettys
InsiderAdvantage Georgia
(6/1/06) The only Georgia Republican congressman facing primary opposition, Rep. Tom Price, was a no-show Wednesday night at a forum in his district sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials. He did appear at a second forum later Wednesday evening in East Cobb County that drew fewer people.
At the first and larger forum, which was devoted entirely to the 6th District race, the audience of several hundred people in downtown Marietta reacted with groans, boos and what sounded like a chicken clucking when it was announced Price would not attend. His rivals for the 6th District seat – Democrat Steve Sinton and Republican John Konop – took full advantage of the situation.
“Good evening, John, Tom,” Sinton said, nodding first at Konop and then at the empty chair reserved for Price, bringing laughter from the audience.
Konop, for his part, said at one point in the forum that Price’s absence illustrated what’s wrong with the political system. “All candidates should be required to have four debates sponsored by a nonpartisan group before a primary and four before a general election.”
Konop, a financial services specialist, and Sinton, a career broadcaster and talk show host, are seeking to bring home Price, a medical doctor, after a single term in Congress. Neither challenger has sought political office before.
At the start of the forum, the League’s executive director, Jennifer Owens, said the organization had contacted Price and offered to schedule the forum on a day convenient to him, but she acknowledged he had not given her group a firm commitment to attend.
Debbie DeLong, Price’s campaign director, said he was speaking at a previously-scheduled VFW event in Marietta, but read a letter from him to the audience expressing regret at missing the forum. That, too, brought a chorus of boos.
The two candidates participating in the event made occasional references to the absent congressmen but treated each other with respect, even as they disagreed on a number of issues.
Sinton called the Voting Rights Act, up for renewal, “a shining moment in American history” and said the pre-clearance requirement should be retained. It requires states with a history of discrimination to obtain federal approval of voting law changes such as redistricting.
Konop acknowledged the law was passed following “a sad part of our history” but argued that in today’s environment preclearance is no longer needed and “takes power away from people sitting in this room today.”
Sinton said the “fair tax” proposal “makes a great radio program, a terrific best seller … (but) bring it into the light of day, it doesn’t hold water. It absolutely assassinates anybody on fixed income.”
Konop said he supports the proposal, championed by Rep. John Linder and others, and guarantees everyone pays tax. “Our current tax system does not guarantee everybody pays taxes.”
On immigration, Konop said he would have voted for the House version of the bill now pending in Congress, believing the Senate version, which includes a path to citizenship for many who are in this country illegally, to be “a lose-lose bill. What it’s really trying to do is import more poverty,” he continued, adding, “We cannot have another bill that just goes around and legalizes slave labor, and that’s what that’s about.”
Sinton said, “We’ve been given two lousy options by two lousy bills. We can’t deport everybody … We can’t make everybody a citizen.”
Both candidates agreed the No Child Left Behind educational bill has failed to live up to its promise.
During the second forum sponsored by the East Cobb Civic Association and which included candidates from other races as well, Price took aim at the Senate immigration bill, calling it egregious, and gave a strong endorsement to the fair tax. proposal.
He also said he favors pooled insurance plans for families, groups and small businesses to help control costs. “Return the power in health care to the individual,” he was quoted as saying in the Marietta Daily Journal. “The person owns the health insurance policy
THE GEORGIA GANG ON JOHN KONOP AND TOM PRICE
"[John Konop] is the voice of the future in the Republican party"
June 04, 2006
The Georgia Gang (FOX-5 TV) -- Partial Transcript
(D) Dick Williams
(B) Bill Shipp
(M) Martha Zoller
D: Bill, I’m going to go to your congressional district. It’s my congressional district too. Odd story this week. Tom Price, the incumbent and clearly the front runner to understate it a little bit, blew off two candidate forums slash debates in Cobb County on the same night. He failed to show at one, and while it was going on, he went to the second one for the warm-up reception. Then when it was time for it to start, he split… What does this mean?
B: Well, it means he’s trying to blow off that opponent whose name is John Konop.
D: John Konop is running some very effective ads in the district.
B: He’s coming on very fast. He’s big on the internet. ...he is also the voice of future in the Republican Party. Because those races are going to start to be settled in the primary races. And he’s also got the key issue in our district, immigration, and he is riding it like a horse.
M: The anger out there among Republican voters, if they have an option to vote for, I don’t think any incumbent should consider themselves immune. And, you need to do these kinds of events. There might have been a time three or four years ago when you could not show up at a forum like this. But today is not that day.
D: But he did [skipped] two in the same day. That really surprises me… And Tom Price is terrific in those kinds of forums. I don’t know why he’d… Now John Konop, you’re right, is an interesting fellah making some points on immigration and advertising very effectively in parts of the district, this John Konop.
M: Yes.
What ads are you running? I haven't seen any ads for you or Price. I've only seen ads for Cathy Cox, Mark "Big Guy" Taylor, Casey Cagle and Ralph Reed.
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