Basic Problem
It is wholly illogical to expect American based manufacturing companies to be able to compete with companies that are playing by a different set of rules.
Back in the Fifties, workers in the U.S. earned more relative to the standard of living than they do now. American companies were more profitable. Overall, as a nation, we had a much better balance of trade - imports versus exports. We had vibrant strong unions. Wages were high, but still we prospered.
We could go to the store and find a great selection of items, including items produced outside of the U.S.
Today, we have a large balance of trade deficit. The American worker's buying power and our overall stand of living is lower. There is still a large selection of merchandise, but mostly cheaper and from fewer vendors and mostly made outside the U.S.
I favor clean air. I favor child labor laws, at least laws that prevent child labor from being abused, not necessarily prohibiting children from working to some degree. I favor safe work standards. I have no problem with trade unions organizing to further their rights and protect their interests.
The vast majority of countries from where the merchandise being sold in our stores comes do not have child labor laws. In fact, most of those countries abuse their child labor. In many countries children need to work because of a low standard of living; but they need to work safely and in a clean environment, and for normal hours, and doing types of work that will not harm them as they grow into adults. Most of the countries do not have adequate safety standards in the work place. Most Of the countries do not have clean air and water laws to prevent toxic waste from being absorbed into the environment. Recently we have discovered that Chinese manufacturers have allowed toxic ingredients in the products on our shelves. Airborne Chinese pollution wafts its way onto our shores
CAFTA / NAFTA
I am opposed to the implementation of CAFTA as it is structured; as it would merely increase the harm done to the American (and in many instances to the Mexican) worker by NAFTA.
I would propose that the US examine re-establishing tariffs where needed, and that whatever needs to be done – be done - to correct the legislation that has produced NAFTA’s damage.
In general I would propose that where NAFTA has unleveled the playing field it needs to be examined. At this point in time, I would have no compunction in tossing NAFTA out the window. If the Mexican worker has not shared in the tremendous profits being generated by the NAFTA agreements because their wages are still substantially lower than those in the US, and where companies not required to follow clean air and environmental guidelines, etc. have been allowed to receive an unfair advantage in the cost of goods marketed to the US (costing the US workforce a loss of jobs) then I would propose that a leveling tariff be placed on the goods.
These import duties would lead to the equalization of competition between Mexican owned companies and American owned companies / and between foreign and domestic production venues of American Companies.
The Employee Free Choice Act (S. 842, H.R. 1696)
Because of my support for an increased union presence in the labor force and my support for the removal of obstacles that bar that growth, I am in general agreement with Senator Kennedy’s proposed legislation because I feel that it levels the playing field, vis a vis a union’s ability to recruit and represent employees and enhances their ability to take advantage of the promised equality of the collective bargaining concept.
| 
