NAFTA on Steroids
Gregg Jocoy
May 29, 2008
The Green Party has some strong writers, but not access to as many media outlets as corporate party hacks who can get into the papers via contacts in the media or by presenting columns, articles and press releases from their "think tanks".
One place where there strong Green writers have a chance to be read is in YC Magazine in York County, SC. Don't bother trying to subscribe or have it sent to you unless you live in York county. The magazine is produced, written, printed and distributed exclusingly here in York County.
Fortunately, the owners of YC Magazine are believers in democracy, and have invited us for close to two years now, to submit a monthly column. Here is one written by Bryan Smith a York County Green who is running for York county council. It was published before Smith announced his bid for local office. Enjoy!
The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), also known as NAFTA Plus, is a secretive deal between President Bush (US), Prime Minister Harper (Canada), and President Calderón (Mexico). What is this agreement? What do Greens have to say about it, and why should it concern Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans?
The SPP ties together economics, security, and regulations of these nations. The SPP would loosen or eliminate restrictions on trade and immigration (employment), between these three nations. It would allow law enforcement agencies to conduct operations across national borders. It would blur the lines on environmental regulations, workers rights and protections, food and drug regulations and even national sovereignty.
The only true "winner" is the Corporate Elite.
Corporations have always looked for cheap, non-unionized workers to fill unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The Mexican economy would continue to lag far behind Canada and the United States. Many of Mexico´s "best and brightest" may also emigrate in this Brave New World. This would result in a brain drain that would be difficult to fix. It is not impossible to see the Mexican government becoming little more than a puppet for the Corporate Elite.
If Mexico is seen as the answer to US labor "problems", then Canada is the cherry on top of the sundae. Water and lumber are among their natural resources, but oil is the number one resource we want. When unconventional oil production is considered, Canada ranks among the world leaders. In Alberta, the Canadians have the oil reserves to supply America for decades. This oil is not in the form of "liquid", as is found in conventional production, but rather in "oil sands", or "tar sands". Currently Canada supplies a large part of American imported oil from these reserves.
The only true "losers" are the people and the earth we live on. Big Business and Big Government will bargain down to the lowest common denominator.
The primary environmental issue in SPP is the oil reserves in Canada. These types of reserves are found in clay like soil and are strip mined. It is then processed to remove the crude oil.
The environmental impact on this type of oil production is threefold:
1. The strip mining operations have done a lot of damage to the boreal forest, where the oil sands are located.
2. The initial processing of the oil sands to workable crude takes a lot of energy.
3. As long as there is a relatively cheap source of oil there will be a dragging of feet by our politicians to push for alternative energy.
In the end I see SPP (or NAFTA Plus) as America and our neighbors, walking blind folded in a snake pit. The Corporate Elite gain more power. The people who are least able to afford it will pay. While Big Oil continues to play Americans and our government like a cheap honky tonk piano, our environment will pay. While G.W. Bush and others like him, both Democrat and Republican, seek to expand the American "Empire" by placing Mexico and Canada under our "protection" , we all, Americans, Mexicans and Canadians, will pay.
Here´s what Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May had to say in a joint press release with the US Green Party. "The SPP is integrating the military, security, trade, economic, regulatory, and foreign polices of Canada, the US, and Mexico without public input or Parliamentary or Congressional scrutiny. The threat of widespread surveillance of citizens, greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands development and 'super-corridors,' increased fossil fuel dependence, privatization of water, erosion of food safety and environmental regulations, and expanded corporate power at the expense of economic stability for working people -- these are some of the reasons we oppose the SPP."
How about an alternative?
I can see a trade agreement between our three nations that I could agree with.
Starting a national co-operative, redirecting Canadian water to the United States heartland, allowing for bumper crops every year, to be shared. American car makers opening car manufacturing plants in Mexico, paying a living wage, to build hybrid and electric cars. Using Canadian lumber to build housing in the US and Mexico for the homeless and underprivileged. Sending technology, financial support, and advisors to Mexico so Mexican industries can cut air, soil, and water pollution.
Is this not what fair trade is all about? Why should there be a winner and a loser? It is time for America to think globally. NOT for the purpose of seeing how much wealth we can accumulate, but to create a society that works for the common good, including the environment. We must stop looking at one another and see nothing but a potential "buyer".
It is time for America, Canada, Mexico, and all other nations around the world to take an inventory of themselves, and ask…What are our greatest assets? How can we use them to enrich all our citizens? How can we use them in a manner which protects the environment? How can we do these things while maintaining our independence and rights as a sovereign nation?
One place where there strong Green writers have a chance to be read is in YC Magazine in York County, SC. Don't bother trying to subscribe or have it sent to you unless you live in York county. The magazine is produced, written, printed and distributed exclusingly here in York County.
Fortunately, the owners of YC Magazine are believers in democracy, and have invited us for close to two years now, to submit a monthly column. Here is one written by Bryan Smith a York County Green who is running for York county council. It was published before Smith announced his bid for local office. Enjoy!
The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP), also known as NAFTA Plus, is a secretive deal between President Bush (US), Prime Minister Harper (Canada), and President Calderón (Mexico). What is this agreement? What do Greens have to say about it, and why should it concern Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans?
The SPP ties together economics, security, and regulations of these nations. The SPP would loosen or eliminate restrictions on trade and immigration (employment), between these three nations. It would allow law enforcement agencies to conduct operations across national borders. It would blur the lines on environmental regulations, workers rights and protections, food and drug regulations and even national sovereignty.
The only true "winner" is the Corporate Elite.
Corporations have always looked for cheap, non-unionized workers to fill unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The Mexican economy would continue to lag far behind Canada and the United States. Many of Mexico´s "best and brightest" may also emigrate in this Brave New World. This would result in a brain drain that would be difficult to fix. It is not impossible to see the Mexican government becoming little more than a puppet for the Corporate Elite.
If Mexico is seen as the answer to US labor "problems", then Canada is the cherry on top of the sundae. Water and lumber are among their natural resources, but oil is the number one resource we want. When unconventional oil production is considered, Canada ranks among the world leaders. In Alberta, the Canadians have the oil reserves to supply America for decades. This oil is not in the form of "liquid", as is found in conventional production, but rather in "oil sands", or "tar sands". Currently Canada supplies a large part of American imported oil from these reserves.
The only true "losers" are the people and the earth we live on. Big Business and Big Government will bargain down to the lowest common denominator.
The primary environmental issue in SPP is the oil reserves in Canada. These types of reserves are found in clay like soil and are strip mined. It is then processed to remove the crude oil.
The environmental impact on this type of oil production is threefold:
1. The strip mining operations have done a lot of damage to the boreal forest, where the oil sands are located.
2. The initial processing of the oil sands to workable crude takes a lot of energy.
3. As long as there is a relatively cheap source of oil there will be a dragging of feet by our politicians to push for alternative energy.
In the end I see SPP (or NAFTA Plus) as America and our neighbors, walking blind folded in a snake pit. The Corporate Elite gain more power. The people who are least able to afford it will pay. While Big Oil continues to play Americans and our government like a cheap honky tonk piano, our environment will pay. While G.W. Bush and others like him, both Democrat and Republican, seek to expand the American "Empire" by placing Mexico and Canada under our "protection" , we all, Americans, Mexicans and Canadians, will pay.
Here´s what Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May had to say in a joint press release with the US Green Party. "The SPP is integrating the military, security, trade, economic, regulatory, and foreign polices of Canada, the US, and Mexico without public input or Parliamentary or Congressional scrutiny. The threat of widespread surveillance of citizens, greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands development and 'super-corridors,' increased fossil fuel dependence, privatization of water, erosion of food safety and environmental regulations, and expanded corporate power at the expense of economic stability for working people -- these are some of the reasons we oppose the SPP."
How about an alternative?
I can see a trade agreement between our three nations that I could agree with.
Starting a national co-operative, redirecting Canadian water to the United States heartland, allowing for bumper crops every year, to be shared. American car makers opening car manufacturing plants in Mexico, paying a living wage, to build hybrid and electric cars. Using Canadian lumber to build housing in the US and Mexico for the homeless and underprivileged. Sending technology, financial support, and advisors to Mexico so Mexican industries can cut air, soil, and water pollution.
Is this not what fair trade is all about? Why should there be a winner and a loser? It is time for America to think globally. NOT for the purpose of seeing how much wealth we can accumulate, but to create a society that works for the common good, including the environment. We must stop looking at one another and see nothing but a potential "buyer".
It is time for America, Canada, Mexico, and all other nations around the world to take an inventory of themselves, and ask…What are our greatest assets? How can we use them to enrich all our citizens? How can we use them in a manner which protects the environment? How can we do these things while maintaining our independence and rights as a sovereign nation?
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