Platform Molding

[King of the Americas]

In my primary electorial activity, one of the things I do is attend the Platform Party Meeting that occurs 15 minutes after the polls close. During this meeting each precinct's voters are allowed to offer Amendments dirtectly to the Party's Platform. Those Amendments are debated and then receive support, if they are agreed upon, during the conventions.

You see when you are voting, you should take into consideration what your party says it stands for, even though politicians will make changes as they go. *I mean Presidential Candidate Bush said he was staunchly AGAINST 'nation building'....and yet we are neck deep in it now.

The Amendment that I offered and had ratified by Precinct 18 of Cooke County in Texas was that "The United States should absolve its union with the WTO & NAFTA, and instead return to bi-laterial trade negotiations."

I plan to attend the Democratic State Convention in support of this Amendment, and if possible the National Convention.

Will you help me to see that this Amendment is carried into our next Presidential Election on the Democratic Party Platform?

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Will you help me to see that this Amendment is carried into our next Presidential Election on the Democratic Party Platform?

No.

 

[King of the Americas]

To The Central Scrutinizer:

Why?

 

[Jocko]

Re: To The Central Scrutinizer:

Why?

At a guess, I'd say it has something to do with not being a protectionist hayseed who can't grasp that globalism is coming whether you're ready or not.

I imagine the dinosaurs experienced the same phenomenon when thy tried to ignore how cold it was getting all of a sudden.

But by all means, please get your Hawley-Smoot Bill wannabe put on the platform. It will make this an even more entertaining campaign, to be sure.

Just for the record, KOA, was it a republican or democrat who got us into NAFTA? Think carefully now... it could be argued to be the smartest thing that man did in his eight years.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Re: To The Central Scrutinizer:

Why?

Because NAFTA is good. And you're an idiot.

 

[King of the Americas]

WHAT...!?!?

Are the two of you koo-koo?

Outsourcing is BAD for your country.

NAFTA & the WTO have allowed enless jobs and resources to leave the country WITHOUT the same labor and environmental standards that the Unites States has deemed worthy to adopt.

These are the 2 worst afflictions facing our World today, and my Amendment offers a resolution.

Protectionism...?

If you mean I want, and my Amendment WILL help to PROTECT Worker's Rights and the Environment, then I guess indeed this is Protectionism at its core.

---

Just for the record, KOA, was it a republican or democrat who got us into NAFTA? Think carefully now... it could be argued to be the smartest thing that man did in his eight years.

*NAFTA, as I remember was talked about as early as 1994, even among high school students. A classmate of mine described it in a speech as "opening of the fences between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, so that corporate cows could feed where they may." It was NOT one man, rep. or demo., that brought this policy into being. Not even a President is that powerful. Regardless of who's mistake it was to put pen the actual legislation, the results have been devastating to American labor markets, worker's rights abroad, and the environment.

To sit back and allow the few to gain large amounts of wealth, in lou of this much harm is at no less than criminal.

I will do everything I can to see that this Amendment makes it to the Democratic Party's Platform, and I would appreciate your assistance. May our actions together bring about better days, thorugh the implementation of better ways.

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Re: WHAT...!?!?

*NAFTA, as I remember was talked about as early as 1994, even among high school students. A classmate of mine described it in a speech as "opening of the fences between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, so that corporate cows could feed where they may." It was NOT one man, rep. or demo., that brought this policy into being. Not even a President is that powerful. Regardless of who's mistake it was to put pen the actual legislation, the results have been devastating to American labor markets, worker's rights abroad, and the environment.

Citation?

While you are at it, can you tell me the tariff rate and barriers that NAFTA actually eliminated between the US and Mexico and the US and Canada?

N/A

 

[Jocko]

Nice wriggle job, KOA, but it didn't work.

Clinton signed NAFTA. Who debated it is irrelevant. That's right, a democrat made it possible... the only man who could have enacted that treaty did so.

On the other hand, just to show how monumentally wrong you are, I also say that it was the best thing that came out of that 8-year rerun of Animal House that occupied the White House. Clinton was smart enough to see that globalism is the way the world is headed as travel and communication barriers fade away.

It only made good sense to get ahead of the curve, establish what trade regulations he could and work the deal. Saying no to NAFTA and the WTO may have some short-term benefits for the residents of hicksville, Texas, but in the long run you'd all be squashed.

But what are you worried about? After all, aren't you utterly convinced that you can transform your insignificant little burg into a self-sufficient commune (under your benign but firm fist, naturally)? What do you care about trade issues? From what you've said, you think all trade is evil.

PS... that was rhetorical. Please don't feel compelled to answer.

 

[King of the Americas]

To NoZed Avenger:

Citation?

*What is a court appointed fine?, Alex.

While you are at it, can you tell me the tariff rate and barriers that NAFTA actually eliminated between the US and Mexico and the US and Canada?

*No, I can only tell you what I remember the kid saying, back then, and see the results for myself right now. I understand that the next evolution of this attitude is being written right now called TAFTA-The Americas Free Trade Aggreement, that will include Central and South America in the fray.

Look, no one is saying we shouldn't trade with the world, export our jobs, and be forced to buy expensive goods. My Amendment would allow us to 'barter' with individual nations about the 'standards' of any labor that would be sent there, and the price of goods and services to be had in a free and fair manner.

The present system protects products and their owners and not people making them.

By exporting resources with restrictions that WE have deemed worthy to pass and maintain in our own country, then we do a dis-service to humanity.

 

[Charlie Monoxide]

Re: WHAT...!?!?

I will do everything I can to see that this Amendment makes it to the Democratic Party's Platform, and I would appreciate your assistance. May our actions together bring about better days, thorugh the implementation of better ways. [/B]

This is what "democracy" is suppose to be all about. Get out there and do something. Heck, lots of "complainers" don't even get off their collective butts to vote.

By the way, I disagree with you about NAFTA.

Charlie (talks cheap, but at least tax-free) Monoxide

 

[King of the Americas]

Indeed...

...our "democracy" does provide for mor ethan just one vote.

Attending your party conventions and offering or supporting such Amendment gives you the opportunity to tell your candidates what to stand for.

What exactly do you disagree with, in regards to NAFTA.

What evidence have you seen that proves my statements in error?

 

[King of the Americas]

To Jocko:

No, who signed it is irrelivant.

The thing I am pointing to are the RESULTS.

I am well aware that the Democratic Party and its acting members are screw ups, that is WHY I am offering the Amendment to the Platform!

Allowing labor STANDARDS to flow with jobs is good for EVERYONE, period.

Is your stance, that because I take a liberal/progressive stance, that whatever other such labeled persons do, 'I' have to agree with???

Look, I am NOT a party line hack, here to defend the f*ck-ups of other like thinkers. The PROBLEM is that jobs are leaving America, and NOT with the same environmental and labor standards ther We have adopted here.

The results may be lower priced goods, but it also means fewer jobs to pay for those goods, regardless of their price.

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Re: To NoZed Avenger:

Citation?

*What is a court appointed fine?, Alex.

I didn't think you had any support for that claim.

While you are at it, can you tell me the tariff rate and barriers that NAFTA actually eliminated between the US and Mexico and the US and Canada?

*No. . . .

I didn't think so.


N/A

 

[Jocko]

Re: To Jocko:

Look, I am NOT a party line hack, here to defend the f*ck-ups of other like thinkers. The PROBLEM is that jobs are leaving America, and NOT with the same environmental and labor standards ther We have adopted here.

The results may be lower priced goods, but it also means fewer jobs to pay for those goods, regardless of their price.

No, you're a psycho that no self-respecting party would allow past security at the convention.

But pray tell, how do you see global trade unfolding if you were in charge and able to direct all trade practices between the US and other nations? The more detail the better. Maybe if you explained benefits beyond your trite meme of "better days better ways" crap someone might actually agree with you.

The floor is yours. Tell us how the next 20 years will unfold under your amendment.

 

[Kodiak]

Now KOA, if you had proposed this- "The United States should absolve its union with the UN, and instead return to bi-laterial diplomatic negotiations.", you would've had my complete support.

 

[Jocko]

Re: Re: Platform Molding

Now KOA, if you had proposed this- "The United States should absolve its union with the UN, and instead return to bi-laterial diplomatic negotiations.", you would've had my complete support.

You're going to have to explain that one to him a little simpler, but I for one would give you an ear.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Re: WHAT...!?!?

Are the two of you koo-koo?

I can't speak for Jocko, but I'm not.

Outsourcing is BAD for your country.

No it isn't.

These are the 2 worst afflictions facing our World today,

False

and my Amendment offers a resolution.

Well, given that you haven't mastered the use of the Quote feature, I would doubt it.

 

[WildCat]

Re: Re: WHAT...!?!?

Well, given that you haven't mastered the use of the Quote feature, I would doubt it. [/B]

 

[Jocko]

Re: Re: WHAT...!?!?

I can't speak for Jocko, but I'm not.

Hey, thanks for nothing.

 

[King of the Americas]

To NoZed Avenger:

You Wrote:

I didn't think you had any support for that claim.

*Firstly, it wasn't MY claim. If you'lll read my response, I said that a fellow Senior Classmate of mine mentioned NAFTA as early as 1994. Then I quoted his characterization. I don't see any NEED to provide support for this claim, since it was not my own.

That I don't know the 'exact' number when it comes to what terrifs were lost is of no consequence. Unless you are suggesting that these things were NOT affect by NAFTA...