"Our workers don't want Congress to pass a free trade agreement with Korea given its history of currency manipulation. And they think it's wrong to consider a deal with a country like Colombia, where workers are murdered for trying to organize for better working conditions and better pay. Mainers don't want more NAFTA-style free trade agreements that they're told will boost exports but in reality flood our manufacturers with foreign imports, forcing factories to close their doors and putting Americans out of work." Mike Michaud, Chairman of the House Trade Working Group

"The President is sending mixed messages by sending these free trade agreements to Congress. He wants to pass more free trade agreements, but conditions it on an extension of benefits for all those that will be harmed by them. Does he want to create jobs at home with the American Jobs Act, or does he want to offshore them to places like South Korea? At a time of nine percent unemployment, I know what my constituents would prefer. There's something wrong with this picture and the American people see right through it. We obviously need to pass an extension of TAA because our existing trade policies continue to undermine U.S. businesses and workers. But passage of TAA should be tied to a trade policy that actually encourages business growth and job creation here in America, not overseas." - Rep. Michaud Statement on Advance Free Trade Agreements

Photo of the Day Series - 2011

Posted by R.P. BenDedek
Email: rpbendedek@hotmail.com