OPINION
Two different letters were recently sent by members of this organization to our U.S. Congressman, Adam Smith. The first letter thanks Adam for some of his recent votes — it’s always good to tell our representatives when you agree with them.
The second letter, however, reminds Adam that a huge number of his constituents are opposed to the Free Trade Agreements which he continues to advocate.
Thank You For Three Recent Votes
By Karen Backman
May 27, 2011
Congressman Smith:
Thank you for your commendable votes on three amendments:
H.AMDT.298 (A003)
Amends: H.R.1216
Sponsor: Rep Foxx, Virginia [NC-5] (offered 5/24/2011)
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment numbered 7 printed in the Congressional Record to to prohibit the use of funds provided for graduate medical education from being used to provide abortion or training in the provision of abortion. Additionally, funds would not be provided to a teaching health center if the institution discriminates against individual health care entities that refuse to provide abortion under go training in the provision of abortion, or offer referral for abortion services.
You voted against this amendment. Thank you.
H.AMDT.343 (A043)
Amends: H.R.1540
Sponsor: Rep Cravaack, Chip [MN-8] (offered 5/26/2011)
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment numbered 152 printed in House Report 112-88 to repeal Title VXII of the Department of Defense Authorization Act, 1985, which authorized the establishment of the United States Institute of Peace.
You voted against this amendment and you, in essence, voted for the Institute of Peace. Thank you.
H.AMDT.344 (A044)
Amends: H.R.1540
Sponsor: Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] (offered 5/26/2011)
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment numbered 55 printed in House Report 112-88 to require: (1) A plan and timeframe on accelerated transition of military operations to Afghan authorities; (2) A plan and timeframe on negotiations leading to a political solution and reconciliation in Afghanistan; and (3) A new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on al-Qaeda. The amendment clarifies that nothing in this section limits the president under existing authority to go after al-Qaeda, share intelligence, or modify military strategy and tactics while redeploying US forces under the plan/timeframe required above.
You voted in favor of this. Thank you.
And, your own amendment:
H.AMDT.322 (A022)
Amends: H.R.1540
Sponsor: Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] (offered 5/25/2011)
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment numbered 42 printed in House Report 112-88 to amend Section 1039 to allow transfer of detainees to the US to testify in federal court. The amendment strikes language barring transfer of detainees held abroad to the US. The amendment requires certification by the Attorney General prior to transfer.
If it is as I understand it to be, I thank you very much.
I'm sorry you were in the minority in all of these roll calls, but I very much appreciate your efforts.
On Free Trade
By Bob Dickinson
May 29, 2011
Congressman Smith:
As a progressive Democrat and one of your constituents, I am concerned and alarmed about your continued support for more Free Trade Agreements (FTA’s). I think supporters of more of these should be entitling any future agreements as Fair Trade Agreements, in the letter and spirit of the law and the connotation. We are seeing a de–industrialization of this country and our middle–class unabated. These agreements with no safeguards against “wage and benefit races to the bottom” for American workers are not fair by any stretch of imagination! Agreements crafted to benefit only the multinational corporations, are not fair trade agreements for working class people.
We only have to look at NAFTA, to see the demise of much on both sides of the border. Too much of our illegal immigrant problems, come from more poor Mexican farmers, unable to exist, with large multinationals from the US pouring grain into their country, driving down their livelihood. They in turn move to the city with no possibilities of jobs, and are tempted to become illegal immigrants, by sneaking in the US for an opportunity for a better life.
It is been very documented, that when Mexican workers attempt to better their life by trying to collectively bargain to better support themselves and their family, those jobs disappear to other places, where corporations can find workers to work cheaper. It is a huge “leapfrog” operation by companies, to find the cheapest international labor available enriching themselves, but not necessarily workers.
We have to remember that our founders had tariffs for a specific reason. That reason was borne out well, by the examples of companies like the East India Company, that decimated small business and workers in the US, at the dawning of our Republic.