US multinationals revive NAFTA-style trade deals, with backup from state legislatures thanks to ALEC

[highplainsdem]

http://colorlines.com/archives/2011/05/multinationals_peddle_the_myth_of_free_trade_on_the_hill.html

U.S. Multinationals Revive NAFTA-Style Trade Deals on Capitol Hill
by Michelle Chen
Tuesday, May 3 2011, 9:04 AM EST


The construction giant Caterpillar is reportedly planning to treat its workers to steaming cups of Colombian coffee in the coming weeks, to warm them to the benefits of doing business with their “partners” in Latin America. While employees enjoy their break, lobbyists will be working hard, in their name, to peddle so-called “open markets” in Colombia, Panama and South Korea.

Lobbyists for U.S. multinationals in industries ranging from agriculture to retail are returning to Capitol Hill after the congressional recess determined to finally ink the three so-called free trade pacts. Fair trade advocates have been fighting each of the deals since the Bush administration.

The corporate lobbying blitz extends to state legislatures, as well. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a right-wing, anti-government think tank that has helped pen SB 1070 copycat bills around the country, has crafted boilerplate state resolutions calling on Congress to approve the free-trade deals, according to labor activists. Among ALEC’s funders are the oil magnate David Koch, the tea party movement benefactors who helped fund the war against public sector unions in Wisconsin.

In March, the Washington State Labor Council celebrated the defeat of a pro-FTA resolution in its state legislature. In the wake of the labor advocates’ hard-fought victory, Washington Fair Trade Coalition Director Kristin Beifus had a simple warning for her colleagues around the country: “Watch out for similar bills coming to your state!”

-snip-

More information on this and other cookie-cutter legislation ALEC drafts (with corporate input and approval) and then promotes in the long compilation topic on the American Legislative Exchange Council. Reply 70 there is on the pro-FTA bill in the Washington state legislature.

[Angry Dragon]

1. Just what we need, more jobs going overseas

that will really help with the economy.............

[highplainsdem]

2. It will help multinationals' profits, and that's apparently all they (and ALEC) care about.

[999998th word]

3. A.L.E.C. needs a LOT of publicity and credit for all their efforts

guarantee us life in a true dystopian society.One bill and one bought politician & judge @ a time,along with all of


the other fake front groups.I try to educate whenever I can and do whatever I can in my small way-just wish it could be more.

Don't want to think about life for our kids -and grandkids in that kind of world.

For the people setting this up for us : eat shit and die.Asap.True wasted lives.