[raybbr]

Obviously, U.S. policymakers ought never be compelled to take any country solely at its word. But Mexico's forthright declarations give policymakers the opportunity to hold our southern neighbor to its word on important and incendiary matters of mutual interest.

But wait. Here it is. The name calling: Mexico's declarations deserve a particular listen from those with big megaphones in this country who are overly busy preaching the gospels of fear and xenophobia.

So, patriotism is being turned into a racial slur. This idiotic article actually contradicts itself and then calls those of us who oppose NAFTA racists.

[Murp]

The economic crisis we face today dates from NAFTA and the outsourcing of jobs. Easy credit replaced good paying jobs and the resulting debt has come home to roost. There has never been, nor can there ever be “free trade” when the marginal cost of labor is basically undefinable due to the low wages paid by one of the trading partners. When jobs leave, the standard of living MUST go down. Ours has. The United States can no longer help the rest of the world raise their standard of living. We simply cannot consume their goods because we don’t have any money left. Ross Perot was right. History will vindicate him.