Reply #41: Do some research before you blame Gore for NAFTA's

[SlowDownFast]

shortcomings and/or failures.

If you've seen An Inconvenient Truth, you'd understand that he believes our country can compete or dominate (for lack of a better word, right now) global markets based on environmentally friendly technologies. It's not about sending our countries jobs overseas, but rather creating techs that create jobs here and improve global economies and environments at the same time.

Gore's position on Free Trade and NAFTA circa 2000 (it's possible he's changed some of views since then):

Link trade to environment and labor

* Gore is clearly torn between his instinctive support of free trade and his need to win the support of unions. Gore:wants to “continue to knock down the barriers to free and fair trade” (make countries open their doors to American products)
* supports linking trade agreements to labor and environmental standards
* wants to obtain “fast-track” negotiating authority that includes power to negotiate labor and environmental standards
* supports making the WTO more open and accountable.

Source: The Economist, “Issues 2000” Sep 30, 2000

Fair trade: standards for child labor & environment
We must welcome and promote truly free trade. But I say to you: it must be fair trade. We must set standards to end child labor, to prevent the exploitation of workers and the poisoning of the environment. Free trade can and must be -- and if I’m President, will be -- a way to lift everyone up, not bring anyone down to the lowest common denominator.
Source: Speech to the 2000 Democratic National Convention Aug 18, 2000

Agrees with unions on 90% of issues, but not on free trade
Asked about reverberations among unions , Gore replied: “Some of them have not yet endorsed me because of the fact that I’m in favor of this legislation. Others have endorsed me in spite of our disagreement on this legislation because I agree with them on 90% of the issues.” Still, on the campaign trail, Mr. Gore hardly mentions the trade agreement.
Source: Richard Berke & Katharine Seelye, NyTimes.com Mar 11, 2000

Open Europe & Japan to genetically-modified farm products
Gore talked tough on farm policies, demanding that foreign markets be opened to genetically modified commodities. Europe and Japan resist those products. “We can’t let Europe and Japan determine our farm policy,” said Gore, who said “sound science” should govern.
Source: Associated Press in the Brockton (MA) Enterprise, p. A7 Jan 9, 2000

Use Fast Track to encourage new markets
America must maintain its role as the world’s leader. Al Gore has repeatedly called for the passage of Fast Track trading authority, to allow the President to open more markets.. He has fought for a trading system that includes strong safeguards for workers, for health and safety, for children, and for a clean environment. And he has called on other nations -- such as Japan and the nations of Europe -- to jump-start their own economies, and live up to their shared responsibilities for global growth
Source: www.AlGore2000.com/issues/econ.html 5/14/99 May 14, 1999

Free and fair trade means economic growth and jobs
A champion of free and fair trade for his entire career, Gore has been a national leader in opening markets around the world, and tapping into the 96% of the world’s consumers who live outside our borders, while at the same time protecting labor and environmental rights. With one third of America’s growth due to exports in the past six years, and export-related jobs paying 12-18% more than other jobs, Gore has fought for free and fair trade to improve the lives and livelihoods of American families.
Source: www.AlGore2000.com/issues/econ.html 5/14/99 May 14, 1999

Protectionism only protects us from prosperity
All developed countries -- whether in Asia, Europe, or the Americas -- must play a role, and keep tearing down trade barriers. In the end, in this global economy, protectionism will only protect us from prosperity itself.
Source: Speech at APEC Business Summit Nov 16, 1998

more here:

http://www.issues2000.org/Celeb/Al_Gore_Free_Trade.htm