Bill Richardson for Commerce Secretary: I hope not...
I'm a free-trade Democrat. I'm also an endangered species in the Democratic Party
Bill Richardson has a pitiful record on trade, in fact there are several Republicans with better records on international trade than him. With that said, do we really want someone with such a bad track record on trade to overlook trade for the next 4 years?
I come from Ohio.
My drive to work everyday involves passing a dozen abandoned factories and mills. If they survived NAFTA, they didn't survive free trade with China. Communities collapsed and families were crushed. The economy has never been the same here in Ohio. When the west coast reaped the benefits of the dotcom boom, we barely scrapped by. We struggle today, all because of free trade and our own people not being protected. Isn't a government supposed to protect its own people?
Bill Richardson has been a proponent of all of it. He gave Fast Track to Reagan 3 times, was the number one supporter of NAFTA in the U.S. House, and supported the WTO. Each of those by themselves are reason enough to denounce him. On Nov. 4 America overwhelmingly chose "Progressivism" over "Conservatism", so why is Obama selecting "Conservatism" when it comes to trade, after the last 16 years have proven it negative to our workers?
Reasons against Bill Richardson for Secretary of Commerce:
1. His undying support for the investor-state mechanism in trade deals.
Every trade deal from NAFTA to Israel to Oman to CAFTA to Peru (and now Colombia) has this. Suppose the Peruvian people decide they want cleaner water so they democratically raise water standards. This of course hurts American corporations who were utilizing those low standards. American corporations can sue the government for profit losses because the people wanted higher standards. Thats not democratic! It's not Democratic either. Aren't we about the people?
2a. Bill Richardson adores the NAFTA model
He didn't waiver until the primaries, but even then it was a small shift that didn't last long. He loves NAFTA! It might have been good for New Mexico, but maybe if he cared more about Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, or Pennsylvania he wouldn't be such a strong supporter. Of course he doesn't care about us.
Do you know why Obama won Indiana of all places? It was all about jobs. If the Department of Commerce and the President screws with the working class again, I'd bet lots of money Obama won't win Indiana or Ohio in 2012, maybe not Michigan depending on the bailout.
2b. People of NAFTA countries HATE IT!
Oh yes, we can't forget a trade agreement takes two. Farmers in Mexico are starving. They can't make enough for their crops because of the United States. Farmers protested NAFTA because of this. They don't like it. No wonder they come here illegally, you can't have a sustaining economic living in Mexico. Because of NAFTA!
3. Commerce Secretary overlooks the International Trade Administration.
What does the ITA do? Its their job to make sure imports aren't being unfairly subsidized. Well, Bill Richardson didn't speak up when subsidized grain from Canada was crushing American farmers in northern states like North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana. He didn't take action then, so I have really low expectations that he'd take care of anything now or in the future.
***Please, don't let this man be our Secretary of Commerce***
Barack Obama came to my hometown in the primaries and in the general to denounce NAFTA and NAFTA-modeled trade deals. Richardson does not share Obama's values!! Bill Richardson has an abysmal record on trade, a 10% fair trade record, or depending on how you look at it - a 90% free trade record!
In 2006 and 2008, America said no to free trade by giving us members of Congress from all across the country who opposed NAFTA and general free trade. In 2008 America elected 41 new fair traders to Congress!!! That speaks volumes. Free trade is not the will of the American people.
Barack Obama, please keep that in mind, and please reconsider your pick for the Department of Commerce. Now is the time for bold action and prosperity, not spoiling political allies. You owe Richardson nothing.