Reply #64: Yes, you are correct [View All]

[lovedems]

(First, my response was so late because I had to pick up my kids from school and do homework) Kerry did vote for fast track (so did Max Cleland and Bob Graham). And while I do have issues with that (but not to the point of holding it against him), it would be a stretch to imply that he didn't care about the Kerry amendment, he worked hard for that peice of legislation. Kerry obviously believes in free trade but I also think that Kerry is working dilligently to find the balance between free trade and labor/environmental rights. I read somewhere that without fast track, many nations won't do business with us. Fast track isn't pro-corporation as I read it, fast track grants the president the power to engage in trade deals and then congress approves it or votes the deal down. Obviously that gives Kerry the power of his vote to say "no" to a trade deal that he doesn't agree with. In the end, I think that Kerry is being realistic in saying that globalization is here to stay, let's find a way to make it work.

Here is a manifesto Kerry signed

Kerry signed the manifesto, "A New Agenda for the New Decade":
Write New Rules for the Global Economy
The rise of global markets has undermined the ability of national governments to control their own economies. The answer is neither global laissez faire nor protectionism but a Third Way: New international rules and institutions to ensure that globalization goes hand in hand with higher living standards, basic worker rights, and environmental protection. U.S. leadership is crucial in building a rules-based global trading system as well as international structures that enhance worker rights and the environment without killing trade. For example, instead of restricting trade, we should negotiate specific multilateral accords to deal with specific environmental threats.

Goals for 2010
Conclude a new round of trade liberalization under the auspices of the World Trade Organization.
Open the WTO, the World Bank, and International Monetary Fund to wider participation and scrutiny.
Strengthen the International Labor Organization’s power to enforce core labor rights, including the right of free association.
Launch a new series of multinational treaties to protect the world environment.


Here is one quote from Kerry on the issue:

I support free trade, but I don't support what the Bush administration calls free trade. I will order an immediate 120-day review of all trade agreements to ensure that our trading partners are living up to their labor and environment obligations and that trade agreements are enforceable and are balanced for America's workers. I won't sign any new trade agreements unless they contain strong labor and environmental standards.
Associated Press policy Q&A, "Trade" Jan 25, 2004

I guess the point I am getting at is you can find a balance between corporations and the environment and NAFTA and I don't fault Kerry one bit for trying hard over the last several years to do just that.