Does anyone remember NAFTA?

[Randi]

I am so tired of hearing about the current administration causing so many jobs to be lost to other countries. A few years ago, there was a controversial bill known as NAFTA. Signed into law by then President Clinton. It was supposed to open up all sorts of trade opportunities for employers in the US. Well it sure did and it is still doing so today. Employers are "trading" locations in the US for other countries and departing in droves. 6 yrs ago, my employer moved operations to Mexico. They were one of the first to leave under NAFTA rules.
I really don't like the way that Kerry is giving out false hopes that he alone will bring back some of those jobs. They are gone, the people affected will have to take advantage of retraining and adapt to the change. It's not easy, but it's doable. There were benefits added for displaced workers in the NAFTA bill. I wish there was more information spread about programs already in place instead of this nastiness of placing blame.

 

[Pugdog007]

Yep I agree. But Kerry's giving false hope for all kinds of "programs" we all know will never pass in Congress.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

These people who are loosing their jobs are not 20 yr olds. My neighbor works for a company that has closed two of its plants and moved them to Mexico. Some of the people are 40 and 50 years old. Where are they going to go? Back to school? For some it's a little to late in life to be making major job changes. Also who is going to hire someone who is 50 yrs. old? Companies want the young ones out of college. I don't see the real benefits of outsourcing. If all our jobs are going overseas what jobs are we going to be left with here? About five years ago my husband got a letter in his paycheck it said," Overtime will be cut for a while,you can thank your President for that." All the work is being outsourced overseas due to cheaper labor. So I wonder how does this help the American worker. What is Kerry going to do to change this? Nothing. This is the way they say we can stay competitive. It doesn't matter what Kerry says about healthcare,jobs,education nothing is going to change. Same topics that are discussed every 4years and we are still waiting. Clinton had 8 years to make healthcare affordable to all,what did he accomplish? All I see are the premiums going up and up. I will be voting for Bush. At least what I see is what I get. With Kerry I see an all expenses paid trip to Disney World for as many people as I like for two weeks. Fast foward to Nov3rd. Sorry due to budget cuts all paid trips are cancelled,by the way you have to pay the penalty charges. Sorry. Good news, I got your vote! Thats the bottom line. Thats my comparison to a vote for Kerry. Talk is cheap. He can promise the moon,see if you get it once he's elected.