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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Farm Bureau: 'Trade Saves Farm Economy' is "Hooey" |
Current rating: 0 |
by the News-Gazette
Email: editor (nospam) news-gazette.com (unverified!)
Phone: 217-351-5211 |
03 Aug 2002
Modified: 09:14:06 AM |
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A midwest economist speaking to the Farm Bureau reveals the real "Truth in Trade" by stating a simple, obvious fact. Presentation occurs 1 day prior to Senate approval of Trade Promotion Authority. |
US Representative Tim Johnson has voted in favor of "free" [corporate protective] trade laws at every opportunity, in deference to the power of the Farm Bureau. However, simple analyses show that the Farm Bureau is again working against the interests of those farmers it pretends to represent.
At a recent Farm Bureau meeting in Springfield, attendees heard a message opposite to the one their leaders have preached for many years:
'[Vincent Malanga, president of LaSalle Economics] said the popular idea that boosting exports will turn the economy around is “hooey.”'
'“The rest of the world's in worse shape than we are,” Malanga said. “And their economies are based on their exports to the U.S.”'
"Free trade" has been so bad for farmers that President Bush needed to cut special deals exempting products from future trade agreements in order to buy those legislators' votes. Florida citrus farmers and California produce growers were the most adversely affected by NAFTA, so Bush granted them special protection from future "free" trade agrements.
See http://www.citizen.org/trade/fasttrack/farmers/ for more information about agriculture and "free" trade. |
See also:
http://www.news-gazette.com/story.cfm?Number=12069
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