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10/19/2010
Shown: Steve Kagen on Free Trade
No doubt reasonable people can disagree about just what constitutes a reasonable restriction on trade, but the rhetoric from the Democratic candidates for federal office here in Wisconsin has been absolutely over the top in its attempts to stoke the worst fears of voters.
Today's economic uncertainty makes this tactic all the more potent and disappointing. It's sad that instead of demonstrating leadership, candidates like Steve Kagen have chosen to pander to our worst instincts. For me, there is no clearer sign that this state needs a change in representation.
Steve Prestegard of Marketplace recently did an excellent job of highlighting the positions of various candidates and outlining the problems with those positions: Both U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (D–Wisconsin) and Rep. Steve Kagen (D–Appleton) are basing their campaigns in large part on their opposition to free trade and already signed free trade agreements. They have both cast themselves on the side of workers - and against business.
The only problem is that free trade also benefits Wisconsin, though you would never know that from listening to Kagen. Prestegard provides the numbers:
- NAFTA benefits Wisconsin in that Canada is this state’s largest trading partner. Trade with the Great White North results in $4.7 billion in exports to Canada (vs. $3.5 billion in imports from Canada), for which more than 156,500 Wisconsin jobs results.
- Mexico is Wisconsin’s second largest trading partner and the U.S.’ largest trading partner.
I'm not opposed to discussing how trade can be shaped to benefit Wisconsin and the United States, and I'm certainly no advocate of totally unfettered borders. But while the policies espoused by Kagen and Feingold promise us an economic renaissance, they are more likely to result in an economic dark age.
I urge you to check out the link and read the details of just how wrong Steve Kagen is on the issue of free trade.
Jeremy Shown blogs at Rhymes with Clown and frequently hits on politics and economics in Wisconsin and the U.S.
COMMENTS
NAFTA concerns me deeply. Screams NAU. But in general, I see two forces, one on either side, at war with each other. The general public seems caught in the middle. And what could have prevented this struggle between these two forces from escalating to where it is today? The Constitution.
I've said much on socialist policy. Here is a very interesting look at the corporatist forces on the other side:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/4091-paul-craig-roberts-america-has-become-an-oligarchy-of-private-interests
Andrew Ellis (Tue Oct 19 08:49:32 2010)
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