Why do most politicians still support "free trade" and outsourcing when the majority of the American public...

Question

has come against it?

Free trade is another word for law of the jungle economics where the interests of powerful multi-national corporations come before the interests of workers.

According to some poll, 2 out of 3 Republicans now believe "free-trade" is bad for America, so why are most Republicans in congress for it?

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UNITED STATES SENATE

BILL TITLE: A bill to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)

YES
43 Republicans
11 Democrats
1 Independent

NO
33 Democrats
12 Republicans


http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00209

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

BILL TITLE: Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CAFTA)

YES
202 Republicans
15 Democrats

NO
27 Republicans
187 Democrats
1 Independent

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll443.xml

Answer 1

The support of that bill is clearly Republican.
The Republicans have bought into the idea that what is good for business is good for America. Their notion is that if business prospers, Americans prosper.
This isn't true, and the current state of consumer prices in America proves this.
The declining value of the dollar has been good for business. They earn more dollars abroad for their products. The average American, however, has to pay more for imports like oil. So as business prospers from the declining dollar, people must dig deeper into their pockets to pay for every day life,
Under the current economic model, the wealth of corporate America is growing and the % of living expense to income for the average American is increasing.

Answer 2

It's a mystery to me?
You would think, that after all the failures of NAFTA, the big one being that all those jobs we sent to Mexico, didn't do a bit of good for the poor Mexicans, because it was "business-as-usual"in Mexico,..the family and friends of the power structure got all those jobs, and the American worker was the big loser!
However,...I think that there needs to be new focus on lifting-up, and improving the lives of our South American, and Central American neighbors. Otherwise, people who hate US, like Hugo Chavez, will totally dominate those nations. All we've done for those people in recent years, is give them millions for the bogus 'War on Drugs', which has only made their military stronger, and caused thousands of deaths among the civilians, while the Cartels combined, and became huge Multi-Nationals.

Free-trade is a myth, and only ever worked internally, never internationally.

Answer 3

It is estimated you need to raise $300 million to make it all the way to the White House (As a minimum). What's the chance of a commoner from 'the people' coming up with that kind of money? And why do you suppose corporations are giving it to candidates? Certainly not because they're trying to reinvent themselves as charity.
It is estimated there are 200 full-time lobbyists for every congressperson in America. These people work around the clock making sure their special interest groups are held.
Given all of this, our elected representatives are less and less representatives of "the people" and more and more special contractors of large corporate interests.
The biggest threat to democracy since the rise of fascist regimes in Europe - The fact that freedom is not so much for people as it is for dollars.

Answer 4

Why did most politicians vote to attack Iraq and still support that war, even though the American people don't?
Why do most politicians support a war against Iran, even though the American people don't?

There is only one possible answer: because America isn't a democracy anymore.

Answer 5

Yes a lot of Americans are for it but to enact change is very difficult especially at the state in which we stand. To cause yet another up roar in the country would only create more problems.

Answer 6

i see that dissimilar the Democrats are being complete fools returned. won't be able to assert that i'm shocked. *** I stay in Miami. in case you hadn't observed yet, we are getting further and extra unlawful immigrants right here from the Dom. Republic. they arrive ashore at evening from speedboats and then do their ultimate to vanish into the cities. now, except we enable the Dom. Republic to export to united states of america on favorable words, what's there to motivate them to stay abode? Their instant neighbor united states of america is unbelievably undesirable and would't have adequate money squat. no longer plenty commerce possibilities there. Cuba is likewise very undesirable and all commerce with Cuba is controlled via their government besides, so the traditional human beings of the DR get no leverage there. perhaps they might desire to bypass into enterprise with the aid of fact the non everlasting airport of convenience for drug importers into united states of america? Get actual. we are, a ways and away, the close by marketplace this is able to identifying to purchase for their products and as a effect offering them wish of their very own united states of america. in case you narrow back them off from that style of wish, what's left for them? coming right here illegally, that's what. *** btw, the Boeing workers in Seattle remember on foreign places commerce for their nicely paid jobs. the greater commerce we enable, the greater perfect off different countries are and the greater Boeing airplanes they might have adequate money to purchase. surprisingly uncomplicated, no?

Answer 7

Unfortunately, as far as the politicians are concerned, it doesn't matter what the majority of the American public wants, because many (if not all) of these politicians are in the pockets of big business. In the words of Deep Throat, "Money talks, bullsh*t walks."

Answer 8

Looks like some democrats are for it, too.

Has to do with money. Business donates more money to political campaigns than individuals. Also, when you leave Congress (or are kicked out), you need a job.

Answer 9

The rich and multi-national corporations have two parties that support them, everyone else has none.

Answer 10

Because it is their companies that stand to benefit the most by outsourcing jobs to countries where they can pay their help .30 an hour. That helps the "bottom line", don'tcha know...