The costs of "Free Trade" agreements in America continue to mount in terms of jobs, immigration, environmental protections, consumer protections, pensions, benefits, and on and on. America's manufacturing and agricutlure base are decimated. Americans who once could afford to sustain families on a single manufacturing income now must work multiple jobs without benefits and still live in poverty.
Still, many Democrats don't believe that they will be held accountable when they sacrifice the health and welfare of familes on the altar of the cult of "Free Trade".
Case in point, Illinois Representative Melissa Bean (D-08)...
Ms. Bean stood with the infamous CAFTA-15 to get the Central American "Free" Trade Agreement through Congress last year, as did Virginia's own Jim Moran. While Jim Moran is relatively safe in his re-election bid, the same cannot be said for Ms. Bean.
According to an author with WorkingLife:
Apparently, she is begging unions to support her, knowing that without labor's strong support she will probably lose re-election in the 8th District in Illinois. But, because of her vote for the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), she's gotten the cold shoulder.
Ms. Bean, because of her choices, because of her vote, has lost the support of one of the major constitutecy groups in the Democratic coalition. It's worth noting that labor was the leading donor to the Kerry 2004 campaign.
Part of the democratic process is that individuals and organizations have the freedom to chose who to support. That support can be based on decisions and based on votes. While it's clear Republicans have used every underhanded and divisive tool in their powerful toolkit to strip working men and women of their livelihoods, it is unfortunate that there are Democrats who go along with them.
This issue is less pressing for Virginia's Jim Moran, as his seat is fairly secure. That's both a good and a bad thing. I believe that Jim Moran does good work for Virginia in general. So, while this vote and his support of the Bankrupcy Bill really make me question him, I see him genrally as a force for Progressivism in the US Congress.
On the other hand, I don't believe there should be ANY secure seats in congress. If the Gerrymandered Old Party hadn't rigged a system of "Backlash Insurance" into redistricting, this year wouldn't just be a Democratic takeover of the House and Senate; it would be a complete and utter massacre, possibly the largest rout in American history.
I applaud labor's efforts to exercise their influence to protect working families in America. I would that there were more we could do to hold Republicans and Democrats accountable when they undermine the American Dream.
HatTip to David Sirota.