You can practically smell the change in the air these days.
Take trade, for example. For the past 15 years, American workers watched helplessly as millions of their jobs moved overseas.
But it's 2008 now. And Congress is looking at a new trade proposal: the TRADE Act.
Even the Teamsters like it - and that's saying a mouthful, because we've been fierce critics of every trade proposal since NAFTA.
Deals like NAFTA, CAFTA and China PNTR aren't really "free trade agreements." They're deals to lure corporations away from America by promising access to cheap labor.
The TRADE Act would rewrite the rules on global trade. It would prevent agreements with countries that offer up their workers and their environment in exchange for investment deals that benefit a few of their richest citizens.
The TRADE Act also calls for a review of existing agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA -- which, as the Teamsters say, give workers the SHAFTA.
Give credit to the TRADE Act's Democratic sponsors: Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine.
They know the TRADE Act won't pass this year -- despite its 52 House cosponsors. There just isn't time this late in the session.
But Brown and Michaud also know the debate about trade needs to be changed before trade rules can be changed.
For the past 15 years, anyone who opposed a so-called "free trade agreement" was labeled a protectionist. And that was the end of the story.
Now, the TRADE Act allows us to present an alternative to trade rules that destroy good jobs, harm the environment and lower safety standards.
It allows us to make our case that trade can spread benefits to workers as well as to Wall Street.
We know change is coming. The American people are demanding it. In less than five months, we'll have a new president. And we'll have a new course on trade.
The TRADE Act sets that course -- for trade that creates good jobs and raises living standards for workers here and overseas.
Good news for "labor" democrats, especially since [apparently] the pro-free trade DLC's grip on the party has been dealt a heavy blow by Obama's victory.
solutions on the table.
That is called imperialism.
How does forcing a foreign power to abide by US labor, safety and environmental laws help US workers? It don't.
You want to help US workers: Time to institute tariffs, remove charters of US corporations who set up shop overseas, and kick out the illegals.
There was time in the America when unions stood up for the American worker; now the only thing they stand up for is meaningless hot air.
We should only be importing goods we can't produce ourselves. That should be our trade policy. The political and economic aim of the US government should be total self-sufficiency.
Somehow-I doubt if Mr Hoffa spits into the wind or promotes pissing contests, much particapiting in them.
It seems that W's opposition to world environmental stds has been like spitting into the wind for a few candidates for POTUS are promising to work with American legislators to comply with world environmental stds. A number of nation follow world environmental stds which W opposes. The US is criticized by many nations for not enacting world environmental stds.
Have you tried to run your ideas by Mr Hoffa, the lawyer, Teamsters official, politician, negotiator, who has a great deal of knowledge about economics & helping American workers who are represented by the Teamsters, yet? Mr Hoffa could better comment on your words & what you imply?
You can find Mr Hoffa's address if you use Google or another search engine. I've got the feeling that Mr Hoffa & his staff could address your concerns & comment upon upon your statements based upon the facts which exist in the world & USA of 2008. It couldn't hurt to contact Mr Hoffa.