Congressman Harold Ford Jr. Stands Up For America's Future--Votes No CAFTA

[Jackson4Gore]

http://haroldfordjr2006.blogspot.com/2005/07/congressman-harold-ford-jr-stands-up.html

WASHINGTON – Congressman Harold Ford made the following speech on the floor of the House tonight before voting against CAFTA.

"I have voted for every trade agreement that has come before this Congress, all the ones that have been listed tonight. I was not here when NAFTA passed – my dad was – but I probably would have voted for it had I been here. Large employers, others in my district and farmers all across my state benefit when markets are open.

"But I ran into a problem not long ago. I was traveling through Crossville, Tennessee, and as a matter of fact the son of mayor Graham in Crossville came to see me today. And I ran into a lady who was there with her daughter and her granddaughter. Now the grandmother had just lost her job at a company in Crossville. She’s about 60 years old. The daughter is a middle school teacher, an eighth-grade teacher. And the 11-year-old granddaughter is going to sixth grade.

"I felt bad for the grandmother, and I felt okay for the mother, because she had a job. The grandmother had worked almost 30 years. But I felt worse for the 11-year-old.

"As I think about all these trade agreements and trade policies – and I have to tell you I like the idea of us being able to sell goods anywhere – I don’t know what to tell the 60-year-old grandmother anymore. I used to tell her that jobs would be created once we did these things. But she lost hers. She’s past her productive prime, so where does she go? Does she move to India, Singapore, China, Canada or Mexico? I doubt it. The daughter at least has a job. But the granddaughter is 11 years old and we don’t have a national strategy to teach her math, science or any of the essentials that she needs to learn to compete in a global society.

"President Clinton, who supported these trade agreements, at least had an investment agenda that accompanied his trade policies. We have neither now. And the challenge before this Congress this evening is not whether we pass this trade bill in the interest of our friends in the financial services and in the computer and IP industries and entertainment industries. The question we have tonight is ‘what are we doing for that 11-year-old girl?’ Sure, we can produce movies and talent here but will we be producing it here? Sure, we can make things and have the capacity to do it. But will we be making things here? I ask my colleagues, how do we answer that 11-year-old granddaughter in Crossville, Tennessee?

"We owe every 11 year old in America a better answer to how to create jobs and prosperity, something more than this trade bill. With that, I will vote no on CAFTA this evening."

Help us elect Harold Ford Jr. the next Senator from Tennessee by participating on our online blog: http://haroldfordjr2006.blogspot.com/

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

1. he normally irks me with hs rw ways, but good for him this time

nice to know he has a conscience

now if he'll quit having dinner with hannity...

[quiet.american]

2. Terrific -- thanks for the update. n/t

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Good for him!

I'm good to hear that since I'm seriously thinking of voting for him next year. I haven't been that big of a Ford fan because of some of his past votes but I've been really watching him lately (thanks to your updates and other places) and even though I'm still not a huge fan this is something that makes me want to vote for him more and at least give him a chance for a term to test him out. And yes about Hannity. He should try having lunch with Bernie Ward or some progressive radio host like that.

[Clark2008]

9. Actually, his overall votes are to the left.

He's had a couple of rightish votes of late, but his overall record shows that he approves of unions and the ACLU likes him, too. Where he gets a bit conservative, normally, is on abortion. He's pro-choice, but he won't support so-called "late term abortions" (once and for all, there's no such thing and Congress shouldn't have its grubby little hands in doctor-patient decision-making).

He's a little more conservative, being in a red state, but I think some of the people calling him a DINO around here either don't have all the facts or don't know what it's like living in a red state with red media.

[Geek_Girl]

4. Glad he did

But I'm still supporting Kurita in the primaries. :)

[FreedomAngel82]

5. After thinking a lot about it

I'm probably going to vote Ford. You should check out the round table interview they both did. They both are similiar on a lot of the main issues. One reason why I'm voting for Ford is because Kurita isn't for investigating the DSM. She thinks it would make the soliders look bad (:eyes:) in a time of war. Someone asked her about the DSM in a question and she ignored it and just talked about "supporting the troops" nonsense. Ford has signed Conyers letter. If Kurita was for investigating the DSM I'd vote for her but she isn't and 2006 is our last chance to get Bush. I'm still not a huge Ford fan cause of some things he has said in the past about Dean and whatnot but I'm willing to let things be and give him a chance to get Bush for the DSM and all that.

[Jackson4Gore]

6. Great!

Glad you are onboard with us. Harold will be the nominee and will be our next US Senator. However, we need everyone's help.

One way you can help is by participating in our support blog where you can keep involved and informed: http://haroldfordjr2006.blogspot.com

[FreedomAngel82]

8. I'm still not a huge Ford fan but

I'm willing to give him a chance. He showed me that he really listen's to people and their concerns with his CAFTA vote and what he said about the mother which is what I want. Someone to listen to me and my concerns. I also like how he's willing to investigate in the DSM and all that and Kurita isn't. :( That was disappointing. Hopefully he can get to like Dean as well. :)

[usregimechange]

7. Thank you Harold!