As early as Nov. '97 John Kerry voted for the renewing of the 'fast track' Presidential Trade Authority. In May of 2000 Kerry voted to expand trade to more than 70 African countries, to Central America and the Caribbean. On Sept. 2000 Kerry voted yes to permanent normal trade relations with China. May '02 Kerry voted to extend free trade agreement to Andean nations. On May '03, Kerry in his democratic debate in Columbia SC stated, "We need to export our capitalism and our democracy. They go hand in hand." Kerry related as well that we couldn't as a people 'move away from globalization, it is happening no matter what.' Kerry believes, "What we need is not to cancel NAFTA." But he feels it must be managed more effectively.
In the primary debate held in New Mexico on Sept. '03 Kerry relays basically the same statement as he did in SC. Kerry then also adds to his speech in NM that he now doesn’t support the Free Trade Agreement of America, nor the Central America Free Trade Agreement because their labor and environment standards haven't been brought up to the level needed. Later in Sept. '03 at Pace University in lower Manhattan Kerry goes another direction it appears. Kerry claims Dean played on workers' fears when Dean stated, "We have to go back and revise every single trade agreement that we have to include labor standards, environmental standards & human rights standards." Kerry claimed that Dean had specifically said that we should not trade with certain countries until they have equal labor and environmental standards that comply with the US. Kerry then went on to say, "That means we would trade with no countries. It is a policy for shutting the door. It's either a policy for shutting the door, if you believe it, or it's a policy of just telling people what they want to hear."
In the Iowa debate Jan. '04 Kerry then states, "I would not support the Free Trade of the Americas Act or the Central American Free Trade Act until they have stronger standards in them. If they sent them to my desk, I'd veto them." And as of Jan. '04 in a Q&A session with the Associated Press John Kerry let his final (?) decision on the matter rest with, "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." (Source: www.issues2000.org)
The Democrats continue to run on 'we are fighting for the working people.' Let us go back and revisit the beginnings of the Presidential Clinton Library before we go on to the latest sell out to markets overseas by the Democrats who claim it is only the Bush Administration who are mishandling 'free trade.'
During the Clinton administration, Bubba let America know unequivocally he felt our pain. The hard core African American Democrats embraced Bill to their bosoms, claiming he was one of their brothers. It's those who ride the hypocrisy train of the Clinton's and other waffling democrats that just disgusts me. Our former President, like most former presidents, desire some edifice left in their name to help further their mark in history. Clinton's is the Presidential Clinton Library being built in Arkansas at the old Choctaw Train Depot.
According to Arkansas preservationist Gregory Ferguson the Choctaw Train Depot was "built at the end of the 19th century by former slaves. The structure is a showpiece for at least two African-American stone and brick craft skills" as told to CNSNews.com in November 27th 2001. Ferguson fought to preserve what little black heritage there was left, but as he was filing a legal challenge in the Choctaw's demolition, the contractor's crew hired came through with their huge front-end loader machines and 'tore out the heart of the Choctaw Freight Depot.' Our former President Clinton told CNSNews.com though in Sept. of that year that the depot was, "of no use to anybody." All the community received was a lame apology from the Clinton Library President, Skip Rutherford. Mr. Rutherford defended the demolition with, 'well look how much else Clinton has done for the African Americans.'
So the opening of the Choctaw Train Depot in April 1900 fell to the hypocrisy once again of false Democrat promises upheld as saints on November 21st, 2001. (Source: CNSNews.com)
Our latest hypocritical theatrics is now; the Clinton Library is being in part subcontracted overseas, which has Skip Rutherford once again on the hot seat. Nearly a $1 million dollar contract has just been sent over to Scotland's Netherfield Visuals Company to build 85 specialized cases for the library (Source: AP 2/25/04).
Will all those supporting the Democrat nominees decry the selling of this job overseas? If they are going to attack Bush, they must be consistent with their own party. Kerry in a speech Wednesday in Cleveland once again promised to make all companies disclose jobs to the government if elected. Funny thing is though Rutherford and construction manager Jonathan Semans relayed that 'they weren't sure of any other foreign subcontracts being sent out, they hadn't even compiled a list yet, so they couldn’t be sure.' (Source: AP)
I wonder if that list is ever compiled, will it be shredded too?
So, with the constant flip flopping on how much the Dems fight for the working people and feel our pain, will Kerry, as he is running for President denounce the latest in the Presidential Clinton Library sell out? Will it even be mentioned by any of the Democrats?
You cannot continue as a party to only wag your finger at the other side and not have to give answer for your own party's hypocrisies. Globalization is here today, we cannot stop free trade, but we can step up and be the leaders who take a stand to reach the higher ethics we all need.
K. L. Marsala
