CAFTA:  A few points
Ten years ago NAFTA proponents promised increased wages and economic development. Instead, our trade deficit continues to spiral out of control, hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers have lost their jobs as corporate interests continue to seek cheaper and cheaper labor, and deforestation has dangerously accelerated. 
 
Most alarming, the "investors' rights" provisions in NAFTA, and now in CAFTA, allow foreign corporations to sue governments directly if any law, duly passed according to democratic tradition, is declared to be a detriment to their profit margins---even projected profit. But what the corporations call "barriers to trade," we call environmental protections, health and safety regulations and workers' rights. Our environmental and public health laws have been under attack several times and literally billions of taxpayer dollars are at stake.

Competition with U.S. subsidized crops will put many Central American farmers out of business, as NAFTA has done in Mexico. Intellectual property rights will put the price of medicines out of reach of most Central Americans.

Call your senator (Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121) and ask her/him to vote against CAFTA.  Note:  When I called this morning all her aid wanted was a “yes” or “no” and my zip code.  He was being swamped with calls.  Congress is expected to vote on this before the July 4 weekend, so time is of the essence.  For Californians:  Senator Feinstein has indicated that her mail shows more PRO than CON-CAFTA letters.  Let's change that count!

Thanks for taking action!

Joanne Ranney, Coord.
Witness For Peace, New England Region
Phone: 802-434-2980

Editor's note: I called both Senators Clinton's and Schumer's offices this morning (6/24/05).
Clinton's aid simply took down my opinion and address. Schumer's aid said he is in agreement that CAFTA should NOT pass. —JL