The speakers at this rally grieved that they couldn’t have a reasonable
conversation with those opposed to FTAs because each side of the issue
has its own set of “facts.” I also find this contradiction of “facts”
troubling. Those in favor of FTAs point to the fact that, since NAFTA,
there has been a net creation of jobs in the US. Those opposed to NAFTA
however, point out that most of these jobs are of poorer quality than
the ones that were lost, consisting of low-paid positions like
cashiers, and janitors.

There was a strong emphasis on the FTA with Colombia at the rally,
which I learned that “all” sectors of Colombia society support-
including unionists and small farmers. I got my very own box full of
promotional materials about Colombia as a whole, called “Discover
Colombia Through its Heart.” Its intention, I assume was to warm
Congresspersons’ hearts to the idea of doing business with Colombia.
These materials included a list of “Recent multimillion investment
projects in Colombia.” Number two on the list is Drummond Company, Inc,
which is currently involved in allegations
that they hired paramilitary thugs to assassinate two leaders of their
workers’ union.  This case highlights one particular dilemma of signing
a FTA with Colombia. Whether or not Drummond is found guilty of the
assassinations, is it ethical for US companies
to operate in a country where more union workers are killed than in all
other countries in the world combined?  By relocating to Colombia,
would these companies not be making a statement that they do not value
the lives of their workers?

Luckily, there is a new and exciting alternative legislation to the standard FTAs. The TRADE Act of 2008
proposes holding past FTAs and other trade policies accountable for
their supposed goals to improve the economies of all parties involved.
It would also insure that future trade agreements would be held to
higher standards of human rights, safety, and environmental impact.

Send a letter to Congress in support of the TRADE Act!