Repubs bucking free trade

Great Debates
1

In light of all the recalls, many Republicans are bucking conventional wisdom when it comes to free trade. Safety before the economy? According to this Bloomberg article, Congress is expected to introduce a number of crack down measures.

They include expanding funding for import inspections; allowing states to regulate consumer products; and increasing by tens of millions of dollars the fines for companies selling defective products.

The Bush administration has warned lawmakers against embracing protectionism in the name of safety. Still, the White House will be under pressure to agree to what would be the first significant expansion of consumer-product legislation in more than 15 years, lawmakers, lobbyists and consumer advocates say.

Obviously, the retailers such as Wal-Mart are coming out strong against all the above. I wish they would work with Congress to find a compromise…setting the example that safety is a priority rather than fighting it to the death.

2

The Republican party is at a crossroads:

  1. The return of the America First Isolationist (Pat Buchanan types). The Iraq debacle has allowed the anti-UN / anti-foreign entanglements folks to come out of the shadows.

  2. The shift in the religious movement. A lot of social conservatives are starting to question selling (or at least renting) their soul to the Republican party. These people are often very liberal when it comes to local causes (soup kitchens, local schools, etc.), but more conservative at the national level.

  3. Small businesses are questioning their allegiance to the Republicans. Instead of being pro-business, the Republicans appear to be pro-BIG-business. The millionaire’s next door are not feeling the love.

3

Don’t forget sportsmen. Polluted rivers and clear cut forests aren’t real great when it comes to hunting and fishing.