Thought you-all might be interested in a thoughtful Congressman's response.
Judy Down Maine
July 11, 2005
Ms. Judith Knowlton
377 River Road
Cushing, Maine 04563
Dear Ms. Knowlton:
Thank you for contacting me about the proposed Central American Free
Trade Agreement (CAFTA). I appreciate hearing from you.
Expanding trade opportunities can lead to job growth and economic
vitality in Maine and around the country. Trade policy should reflect all
our important societal values, not just commercial concerns, and recognize
new realities of the global economy by promoting worker rights,
environmental protection and access to health care.
Inevitably, trade agreements create winners and losers within the U.S.
economy. No trade deal can be considered independently of other policies
designed to help those that will be shortchanged. Unfortunately, U.S.
economic policies of recent years will make matters worse. The President's
budget, adopted by the majority in Congress, cuts programs vital to helping
those Americans displaced by new trade agreements: job training,
vocational education, adult education, community development, and small
business aid. It is irresponsible and immoral to inflict a double blow on
the most vulnerable people in our economy.
CAFTA was approved by the Senate on June 30 by a vote of 54 to 45.
When it is considered by the House, I plan to vote against it. The
agreement as negotiated by the Bush Administration fails to provide
effective enforcement mechanisms against companies that exploit inadequate
labor and environmental standards overseas to relocate U.S. jobs. Trade
policy should strive to raise standards everywhere, not encourage a "race to
the bottom."
I am especially concerned about the intellectual property provisions in
CAFTA. The pact continues a dangerous trend of using trade policy to extend
anti-competitive protections for the highly profitable brand name drug
industry. Although generic drugs lower prices and therefore improve public
health, the CAFTA provisions inserted by the Bush Administration would delay
generic entry for prescription drugs by forcing strict rules on
the developing countries covered by the agreement.
A year ago, the Guatemalan legislature changed its law to promote the
availability of generic drugs in the Guatemalan market. Using CAFTA as a
weapon, however, the United States forced the Guatemalan legislature to
repeal that legislation. This action sparked protests in Guatemala, with
denunciations of American heavy-handedness. It gives our nation a
reputation as a bully rather than as evenhanded trade partner.
Again, thank you for your message. I hope you will continue to contact
me
on issues of importance to you.
Sincerely,
Tom Allen
Member of Congress
For information on many legislative issues you can also visit my website at
www.tomallen.house.gov.
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