[CTC] Bill Clinton on Trade: I 'live everyday with the consequences'

[Citizens Trade Campaign]

WITNESS IN WASHINGTON WEEKLY

 

The Washington Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

March 2, 2010

 

This week's messages are-

*	Support Trade Justice
*	Protect the Clean Air Act
*	Presbyterians Are Urged to Register for Ecumenical Advocacy Days
*	Amos 5: 21-24 - Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters

  _____  

 

Support Trade Justice

 

Urge Your Representative to Co-sponsor the Trade Reform, Accountability,
Development and Employment (TRADE) Act

 

Action:  Go to the Presbyterian Action Center -
http://capwiz.com/pcusa/issues/alert/?alertid=14741686
<http://capwiz.com/pcusa/utr/1/OKKIMCVGOY/FHIVMCWBED/4760893486>  and write
your Representative and Senators asking that they cosponsor the Trade
Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act (HR 3012 and
S 2821).

 

Background:

 

Last year, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Michaud and 105 other
original co-sponsors introduced the Trade Reform, Accountability,
Development and Employment (TRADE) Act, an important effort to re-shape U.S.
trade policy.  The House bill now has 135 cosponsors.  A companion bill in
the Senate (S 2821) was introduced in December by Sen. Sherrod Brown and has
6 co-sponsors to date.

 

Much of the debate about the impact of U.S. trade policy on developing
countries has focused on the issues of labor rights and environmental
protections.  While the TRADE Act emphasizes these vital concerns, it also
lifts up a third dimension of evaluation and implementation. 

 

U.S. trade policies and agreements should contribute to people's
livelihoods, sustainable human development, and the alleviation of poverty
in developing countries.  This serves not only a humanitarian objective, but
also the long-term interests of the United States.  When our global
neighbors experience true human security and a more hopeful future, people
in the U.S. will be more secure.

 

The Trade Act will:

*	Require a comprehensive review of existing trade agreements.
*	Spell out standards for labor and environmental protections, food
and product safety and remedies that must be included in new trade pacts.
*	Preserve the ability of each country to regulate foreign investment
in a manner consistent with the needs and priorities of the country and to
place prudential restrictions on speculative capital.
*	Ensure fair treatment of agricultural workers in each country;
protect the right to establish policies that require farmers to receive fair
remuneration for management and labor that occurs on farms; and protect the
right to prevent dumping of agricultural commodities at below the cost of
production.
*	Ensure that the access of the public to essential medicines and to
technologies critical to preventing climate change is not obstructed by any
provision of the trade agreement relating to the protection of intellectual
property rights.
*	Require the president to submit re-negotiation plans for current
trade pacts prior to negotiating new agreements and prior to congressional
consideration of pending agreements.
*	Restore congressional oversight of trade agreements.

Faith Reflection:  The Biblical emphasis on concern for the poor should lead
Christians to advocate for governmental policies that assist and empower
people struggling to overcome poverty. As a denomination working with local
partners in poor communities around the world, we see the effect of trade
policies firsthand. Tragically, the approach to trade pursued by our
government over past 20 years has often had a detrimental impact on poor
communities in the developing world.  These policies have stymied economic
development in poor countries and forced millions of family farmers off of
their land, creating poverty, despair and mass migration.  We are especially
pleased that the TRADE Act addresses these concerns.

 

Sample Email:

 

I am writing to ask you to co-sponsor of the Trade Reform, Accountability,
Development and Employment (TRADE) Act (H.R. 3012 or S. 2821) recently
introduced by Rep. Michael Michaud and 105 other original co-sponsors.

 

Much of the debate about the impact of U.S. trade policy on developing
countries has focused on the issues of labor rights and environmental
protections.  The TRADE Act emphasizes these vital concerns, while also
lifting up a third dimension of evaluation and implementation. 

 

U.S. trade policies and agreements should contribute to people's
livelihoods, sustainable human development, and the alleviation of poverty
in developing countries.  This serves not only a humanitarian objective, but
also the long-term interests of the United States.  When our global
neighbors experience true human security and a more hopeful future, people
in the U.S. will be more secure.

 

Tragically, the approach to trade pursued by our government over past 20
years has often had a detrimental impact on poor communities in the
developing world.  These policies have stymied economic development in poor
countries and forced millions of family farmers off of their land, creating
poverty, despair and mass migration. 

 

As a person of faith inspired by the biblical focus on justice and
compassion for people in poverty, I am pleased that the TRADE Act addresses
these concerns, and I urge you to support it.

 

Click http://capwiz.com/pcusa/issues/alert/?alertid=14741686
<http://capwiz.com/pcusa/utr/1/OKKIMCVGOY/KNOZMCWBEE/4760893486>  to send
this message!

 

General Assembly Policy:

 

The 215th General Assembly (2003) approved actions to:

1.	Support efforts to strive toward international cooperation based on
fair trade, respect for diversity, and common concerns for a peaceful, just,
and sustainable world.

Oppose multinational actions and trade agreements that elevate rights of
corporations over the right of governments and indigenous peoples to pass
and enforce laws that preserve the public good and protect their citizens,
economies, and environments.

 

 

 Help Us Help You!

 

To support the work of the Washington Office, send a contribution to:

 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Individual Remittance Processing

P.O. Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

 

Designate the Washington Office, ECO # 865714.

 

Or click here to give online: http://www.pcusa.org/washington/support.htm

 

Thank You.

 

  _____  

Published by the Witness in Washington Weekly advocacy program of the
Washington Office, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington D.C. 20002, (202) 543-1126 www.pcusa.org/washington.  For more
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