How the Presidential Candidates Are Addressing Trade-Angst in Iowa
Posted by ~Ray @ 2008-01-01 21:33:09
Wednesday's Wall Street Journal has an article on Iowa voter unease about foreign competition and the different ways the Presidential candidates are responding: (Deborah Solomon and Gregg Hitt. November 21). The title refers to the irony of trade-angst in a state that's done relatively come up by globalization. No new survey results.
Democratic presidential candidates figure it'll take more than preaching the virtues of higher education to calm trade-wary voters. On the stump the top contenders say they support globalization but are pledging to oppose trade deals that don't benefit American workers. They are promising to lift wages through tax policies that let middle-class workers keep more of what they earn and by negotiating free-trade agreements with fight and environmental standards.
"My comprehend is that the families of Iowa have now concluded that the modest benefit to them from cheaper goods that move through Wal-Mart undergo been overwhelmed by stagnating wages," says Leo Hindery the former cable-TV chief who is now the top economic policy adviser to Mr. Edwards. "Iowa like a lot of states looks approve at Nafta and says. 'Nafta did not work as promised.' " Mr. Edwards criticizes Nafta which eliminated tariffs and other change barriers between the U. S.. Canada and Mexico as bad for workers saying it needs to be "revised" to include labor and environmental standards.
"It's unfortunate that the Democrats are willing to exposit change as part of the problem," says Robert Reich. President Clinton's labor secretary. He worries the current crop of Democratic contenders will change by reversal Mr. Clinton's progress and potentially decree policies that hurt economic growth. "It's pandering to a misconception in the public. The truth is that trade is good for the U. S but that some people are burdened by it far more than others. We've got to make them all winners but you don't make them winners by attacking trade," he says.
Republicans meanwhile undergo made the political calculation that most Americans want to see a continuation of change state borders because it means cheaper goods and a stronger U. S economy. Most are addressing the angst by nibbling around the edges -- promising stronger job protection and wages but steering clear of bashing China or promoting expanded government programs to help the lay class.
But the air is creating rifts among Republicans. Sen. John McCain the Arizona Republican has talked openly of the downsides.[ADVERTHERE]Related article:
http://benmuse.typepad.com/custom_house/2007/11/how-the-preside.html
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