CAFTA countries can't afford Beef

[mrj]

Aren't all countries basically oligarchies? Oligarchy is a political regime where most or all political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (oligo) and "rule" (arkhos). Some political theorists have argued that all governments are inevitably oligarchies no matter the supposed political system. China does however happen to be one that is Communist and one that is quickly becoming one of the US biggest suppliers. How you think trade agreements "make this happen" is beyond me.

By "make this happen" I meant that domestic firms have to compete with China and Mexico on labor and the associated lower social costs of those countries. It brings us down to the common denominators of social responsiblity that those countries have unless we can keep abreast with technological advancement that is greater than those cost savings.

The promise of NAFTA was that it would help "bring up" the economies of Mexico and therefore the U.S. would not have the labor influx from Mexico. This has not happened to as great enough of an extent as needed.

Excuse me for misunderstanding what you wrote "Mexico is ruled by a bunch of oligarchs and so is China. The problem is that these trade agreements make this happen." :lol:

Just as has been said of many people, "You can't keep them down on the farm, once they have seen "Paree"!..............so can it be said that people in tightly controlled countries are seeing the freedoms of people with less restrictive governments........and they are, in one way or another, "demanding" more freedoms for themselves. Even China has loosened the noose on their citizens to a degree I certainly never envisioned as happening so fast as it has, however far they have yet to go for anything resembling a truly "free" society.

MRJ

 

[Econ101]

Aren't all countries basically oligarchies? Oligarchy is a political regime where most or all political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (oligo) and "rule" (arkhos). Some political theorists have argued that all governments are inevitably oligarchies no matter the supposed political system. China does however happen to be one that is Communist and one that is quickly becoming one of the US biggest suppliers. How you think trade agreements "make this happen" is beyond me.

By "make this happen" I meant that domestic firms have to compete with China and Mexico on labor and the associated lower social costs of those countries. It brings us down to the common denominators of social responsiblity that those countries have unless we can keep abreast with technological advancement that is greater than those cost savings.

The promise of NAFTA was that it would help "bring up" the economies of Mexico and therefore the U.S. would not have the labor influx from Mexico. This has not happened to as great enough of an extent as needed.

Excuse me for misunderstanding what you wrote "Mexico is ruled by a bunch of oligarchs and so is China. The problem is that these trade agreements make this happen." :lol:

Hey, Bill, I wasn't trying to be nasty to you. You asked a decent question and I see where my sentence could be misunderstood. I should have used "trade agreements make this happen in the U.S. and Canadian economies."

I am not perfect, my wife reminds me of that every day (God has a purpose in everything). I am from Texas but my wife is from a border state.

 

[Anonymous]

Here is another article that also says now that it was all about PORK!!!

----------------------------------------------------------

Today 1/3/2006 4:14:00 PM


Jolley: Is CAFTA Dead?



The Jan. 1 implementation date for the Central American Free Trade Agreement has passed without action and little notice. Steve Norton, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative, confirmed the missed target date and suggested it will be delayed by a month — possibly longer.



According to CAFTA's provisions, U.S. pork and beef tariffs would be dropped altogether, which was positioned to be good for the pork industry in particular as the countries offer a large pork variety meat market. Many in the beef industry expressed reservations about the program.



Those opposing CAFTA contend the Central American countries' lack of action is evidence that it's a flawed policy. Five of the six countries involved have ratified the agreement with Costa Rica the lone hold out. None of the countries moved forward to implement the agreement.