CAFTA

Democrats in Congress, by opposing CAFTA (the Central American Free Trade Agreement), are again joining the French -- this time on economic policy rather than foreign policy. Recent years have made it clear that the socialist and protectionist economic model of France has failed miserably. The model has the appearance of comfort and security -- lavish welfare programs, work weeks kept at 35 hours, and restrictions making it nearly impossible to fire employees -- but the result has been rampant unemployment and economic stagnation. Conversely, the European nations that are flourishing economically -- the UK and Eastern Europe -- have followed the Anglo-Saxon model of free markets and free trade.

The United States has the perfect opportunity to extend this model in our own hemisphere, encouraging freedom and prosperity for countless people in Central America. Why, then, are Democrats opposing CAFTA? Simply to stick it to the President? To scare people into voting for them? We've been over this countless times -- protectionist rhetoric easily scares people, but it makes no economic sense. Besides being good for Central America, CAFTA is needed to aid us in our competition with China and India. This time, however, perhaps even more important, there are geopolitical reasons to support CAFTA. For decades, we opposed communism in Central America. Now we have the opportunity to support these democracies as they develop increasingly free markets.

From The Federalist Patriot