McSame - Job Trader

There were just so many things that disturbed me in the final presidential forum on Wednesday night. However, one issue that has gotten almost zero attention during the general election campaign has been so called Free Trade. While the exchange between senators Obama and McSame was limited to the "Colombian Free Trade Agreement" I think McSame pretty much summed up the issue with his opening sentiment"

“…I am a free trader and we need to have education and training programs for displaced workers that work going to our community colleges…”

You read that right. McSame embraces the premise that Free Trade DOES and WILL displace American workers. Now that's some straight talk. Here is the complete exchange:

While I am concerned that a President Obama will also need constant checking to restrain his urge to move too quickly on future agreements, I certainly appreciate his stand on human and workers rights expressed here.

[UPDATE - 09:25am] By the way, McSame is flat wrong (as usual) in his assertion that Colombia is the largest Ag importer. According to the Department of Agriculture, Canada imported about $13.2 billion worth of agricultural products from the U.S. in 2007. Colombia imported slightly more than $1.1 billion. That actually puts Colombia at roughly number 12.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue