Why Do Clinton and Obama Hate NAFTA So Much?

The simple answer is that they are campaigning in Ohio, which is depressed and has lost a lot of jobs. So criticizing NAFTA makes them seem sympathetic to Ohio's plight and they hope to win votes with their position. Hillary's decrying of NAFTA is especially ironic as NAFTA was a big policy priority and accomplishment of her husband. Since Hillary counts her experience as First Lady as making her more qualified than Obama, this is relevant. Where was she when NAFTA was passed?

Facts need to be injected into the current debate about NAFTA. What exactly is the effect of NAFTA on Ohio? The WSJ today ran an op-ed full of facts that make the anti-NAFTA position look like a loser for Ohio.

Ohio workers would pay a heavy price for pulling out of Nafta. Canada and Mexico are the top two markets for exports from Ohio, accounting for more than half of the state's exports in 2006. According to the Ohio Department of Development, 283,500 workers in the state earn their living in the export sector, with machinery, car parts, aircraft engines and optical/medical equipment among the leading exports. A trade showdown would put those good-paying jobs at risk.

Since Nafta took effect on Jan. 1, 1994, the U.S. economy has added a net 26 million new jobs. The average real hourly compensation (wages and benefits) of workers has climbed 23%. Real median household net worth has increased by a third. Of course, Nafta was not the primary driver of all that good news. But it is a useful counterpoint to the sense that large numbers of Americans have been "devastated" by Nafta and other trade agreements.

Does This Have Legs?

An Ex-President, a Mining Deal and a Big Donor

Exeunt the Bush/Clinton Dynasties

The positive result of the cratering of Hillary's candidacy, love her or not, is that the US presidency will avoid the potential of 28 years of Bush/Clinton rule.

We are up to 20 years with those two families ruling and going beyond that would make me feel like we are living in a semi-democratic inheritence state. I don't care what Hillary has to say, I just want to elect someone who is not a Bush or a Clinton.

Headline Of The Weekend

Bill Clinton: It's a 'Miracle' That Hillary Clinton Has a Chance in Iowa

Rep. Hoekstra: Two Wrongs DO Make A Right

From AP:

"I think we'll put up the record of the president versus the record of Bill
Clinton, and the president will come out relatively good on that," said Rep.
Pete Hoekstra,
R-Mich.

This defense of Bush's infamous commutation pisses me off.

Yes, Clinton went out with a bang with a series of pardons, including his half-brother. And although that is well within a president's constitutional authority, that does not mean it isn't careless and disrespectful to the legal system. But someone has to explain to me how this makes Bush's softening of Libby's conviction any less shady.

Also, as a side note, anyone who is married to or dating someone who uses the "Well Clinton did it too!" defense, expect the worst.


Irrelevant update: Blogger's blockquote feature is a real pain in the ass.