Legal Commentary

NAFTA Is Not Evil

By Big Tent Democrat

By Big Tent Democrat

Speaking for me only.

Yes, I said it. And so did the NYTimes Ed Board:

Middle-class voters across the country are legitimately anxious. Tens of thousands of workers have lost their health insurance, while wages have barely risen. But blaming Nafta or any trade agreement only feeds misguided protectionist sentiments at home and strains already difficult relations around the world. It is also factually inaccurate. In a review in 2003, the Congressional Budget Office concluded that Nafta had slightly increased growth in the United States and that any disruptive effects on employment were small. Trade opens foreign markets for American producers and gives consumers more choices, while competition spurs productivity growth at home. If the candidates are not careful they will quickly pen themselves into dubious policy positions that they would have to follow, or flip-flop on, once elected.

Correct.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 24, 2008 (boomark / email).