McCain Defends NAFTA

McCain spoke Monday before the National Council of La Raza Full Speech Here
McCain gave his usual "I'm all for Immigrants rights (so vote for me please, Latinos) BUT, we need to secure our borders from terrorists (so vote for me please, right-wingers). McCain's take on NAFTA: "I reject the false virtues of economic isolationism. Any confident, competent country and its government should embrace competition, It makes us stronger.”

There are a number of things wrong with this statement. First, McCain seems to be under the impression that if you aren't a proponent of NAFTA, you are, by default, in favor of economic isolationism. That is patently untrue. NAFTA is not a black and white issue. Personally, I am not in favor of NAFTA, nor am I in favor of economic isolation. I would argue that a vast number of those who are opposed to NAFTA are more in favor of a true "Fair" and "Free" trade agreement, as opposed to becoming a country of economic hermits.

Secondly, NAFTA isn't exactly an exercise in "embracing competition". NAFTA was created by the elite, wealthy members of the three countries, in order to benefit the elite, wealthy members of those countries. Sound familiar? Far from inspiring greatness through competition, NAFTA has led to huge job losses at home and abroad and stagnant or reduced wages for those jobs affected by NAFTA.

McCain is good at saying what people what to hear and tailoring his speeches for his particular audience. Hopefully the issues of free trade and immigration reform will be discussed more prominently before the election, so that McCain will actually have to take a solid position and defend it against actual critics.