Kucinich Report, Free Trade Agreements

Today the House will begin consideration of three NAFTA-style free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea at a time when our nation's unemployment rate continues to hover around 9 percent.

Free Trade Agreements (FTA) have proven deadly for the American workforce and American workers. They prioritize the rights of multinational companies over the rights of workers, exacerbate the negative effects of globalization, facilitate the outsourcing of American jobs overseas and fail to adequately protect the environment.

Proponents of free trade agreements like the ones we will consider tonight like to claim that these agreements will increase U.S. exports abroad and create jobs here in the United Sates. But these free trade agreements are no different.




Colombia continues to be the most dangerous place in the world to be a member of a union. Over 20 trade unionists have been killed thus far just this year. The Colombia FTA, like the other two, will do nothing to protect American jobs from being outsourced abroad and fails to protect the lives of Colombians fighting for basic labor rights in their country.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, the Korea- U.S. and U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreements are expected to increase our trade deficit by over $16 billion and result in the displacement or loss of 200,000 plus jobs. From 2001 -- 2010, the State of Ohio has lost 103,000 jobs as a result of the increase in our trade deficit with China. We cannot afford to pass NAFTA-clone trade agreements that provide American companies with more incentive to ship jobs overseas.

It is time to promote a fair trade model that prioritizes the rights of American workers, protects and grows our local manufacturing base and includes adequate environmental and product safety safeguards. The last thing American workers and our economy need is more NAFTA-style free trade agreements.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Congressman Dennis Kucinich
• American Jobs
• American Manufacturing
• Workers
• Employment
• Jobs
• Free Trade Agreements

[WellIAMScottish]

Thank You Congressman Kucinich! PLEASE consider running for President in 2012!

[mbmart2005]

God bless you Dennis. Free Trade is exactly what you are describing in this very good video.

[phdtobe]

The problem with the sound is probably because the sound recording was set to mono (based on the source) and wasn't mixed to stereo when the video was compiled. This should be an easy tech fix.

[kalidesu]

There is a sound issue with this video, Dennis's voice is coming out left speaking, no fun if you wear headphones.

[liam13coins]

Refreshing to hear the truth, thankyou Congressman Kucinich!

[gkaba369]

To Ron Paul: Please make Dennis your VP should you become the nominee.

[smartwarlord]

Dennis will be in Ron Paul's cabinet, no worries people.

[Textynn]

Run as an independent Dennis

[dffykvn]

A free trade deal with a country that murders union members?

I can't believe the republicans aren't masterbating in fevered ecstasy over the thought of rich people "putting those evil socialist poor people who want silly things like rights back in their proper places under the iron boot of the free market"

Free trade, libertarianism and wRONg Paul are all things that are wrong with this world.

[AlignShineProsper]

The dark matrix is an information system energized and sustained through fear and negativity, until people summon the courage to find our heart voice, unite peacefully, and speak up to change the program for the collective greater good. Time is short and the stakes are high for everyONE.